I am joining a running club this week and can not decide on what trainers to wear?

Don't be influenced by hype.. when you think that Nike began life as melted rubber poured into a kitchen waffle press..!!

RIGID shoes can cause injury.. like running with two planks of wood nailed to your feet..

SO I bend the shoe if its flexi from toe to heel & also feels soft & springy when you press the inner insole..but still bounces back (resilient) then you should have a good shoe.. put your foot on a clean piece of cardboard & trace around your foot with a felt tip pen. (do this late in the day when you've been on your feet longer to get a more accurate guide of how much ROOM your feet need in a shoe)..

Now cut out the template & see if this FITS without curling etc into your chosen shoe... (take this with you when you go shopping for new shoes)...

You should also look for a shoe that has "bunny ears" at the heel.. allowing your achilles tendon to remain unimpeded as many shoes still do not have the U dip at the back of the shoe..

The upper is best made from breathable fabric.. (not leather or pvc as they tend to make feet sweat more) the toe or heel piece might be reinforced with a tougher substance & thats OK..

Check out all the above pointers to find the perfect shoe & you'll not suffer injuries.. & the best shoes are NOT the most expensive ones.. I try to buy mine when the sales are on..

Finally pay attention to the SOX you wear.. fine cotton is best.. & massage a little vaseline into your tootsies before a run this will prevent blisters...!!!

It depends on your feet. My doctor told me to wear New Balance. You need to find out if their is a running shoe store in your area,not just a mall shoe store. In Ann Arbor Michigan their is a store called The Tortise and the Hare. They look at your feet and fit you.I am flat footed so the store fit me with the support I needed. Our whole cross country team went there to get shoes.

Go to a specialised running store and let them help you - everyone's feet are different - I use a cushioned as I have very high arches, where if you have flat feet you may need a support.