Heels or sneakers?

While waiting for yoga class today, a few of us were chatting about our exercise routines. Many were runners, others swimmers and a few cyclists. Most yogis are very calm, open-minded individuals, but you would have thought different as we approached our next topic – exercising in high heels. No, I did not mistype. One of the women in our conversation recently relocated from Manhattan and shared her disdain for this approach to exercise, a growing trend quickly gaining momentum among many young women. I didn’t know what to say, so I didn’t say much. But once returning home, I quickly booted up my computer and let my fingers fly piloting Google search after Google search. It took me a few attempts to get to the meat of the search, as trying to figure out the correct search keywords proved a bit difficult. Searching for “working out in high heels” revealed a few more explicit results than expected.

My initial gut response was that this was a very foolish, reckless and even sexist idea. I have no desire and feel no sense of urgency to be able to walk in 5 in stilettos and strut my junk like a super model. Many studies have shown the extremely harmful outcomes of wearing high heels, and I can feel the strain on my knees and back within minutes due to the shoes throwing my spine out of whack.  

BUT…I do remember spending many of younger nights on the dance floor carefully toeing the line between “sweaty” and “sexy.” Could I have benefitted from a class of this nature to help me learn to shake my money maker in heels?  You betcha (even though I probably wouldn’t have gone even if it was available). Women in these classes report an amazing workout and huge boosts in confidence and that is not a bad thing, right?

I am going to sit the fence on this one. And I won’t be wearing high heels. To be honest, I really don’t give a damn. If you want to trade in your gym sneakers for a pair of gym stilettos, so be it. Glitter and glam your way to a new you! At least you are up moving instead of being a couch potato. But remember…It is all fun in games until someone breaks an ankle. Or an arm. Or takes a stiletto through the eye.  

Anyone else want to chime in sharing your thoughts? Here is the link to a recent Wall Street Journal article: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323854904578261831621279340.html#articleTabs%3Darticle