Skyscraper heels are en vogue this season. They’re sexy as hell but not always the most comfortable. Super-sized heels will crush your toes, strain your Achilles tendon, and overall cause your feet a lot of unnecessary pain. We all know fashion comes at a price…and sometimes that means looking good without feeling great. I’ve definitely strapped on stiletto heels for an evening out that had me limping home by the end of the night. It’s ridiculous what we put our feet through for style. But that’s just how it goes—women love the look of high heels. In the clever article, High Stakes from this September’s Vogue, Elizabeth Weil writes that a tailored fitness regimen could be the answer to surviving this season’s gargantuan heels:
…your best bet is to take a preventive-medicine approach—make your body strong and supple enough to withstand the strain and, as if anyone needs to hear this again, maintain a healthy weight.
The article goes on to recommend core abdominal work and stretching. This is great advice but don’t forget to target your back and legs which are crucial to high heel stability. Work on keeping your spine stacked, obliques strong and improve your posture and balance by practicing yoga regularly. You can also try wearing Fitflops or Shape Up Shoes (pictured above). Both are fitness oriented with a rocker bottom that help strengthen and tone your core and legs.
Good luck in those heels and just remember we’ve all fallen at some point. So, if you see a wobbly sister on the street, give her a hand.
High heels by Nina Ricci: www.ninaricci.com/
Shape Up Shoes: www.shapeupshoes.com/
FitFlops: http://www.fitflop.com/
Photo credits: Nina Ricci and Shape Up Shoes websites