Footwear Friday: Get the right kicks for your New Year’s resolution

It’s 2011, and that means it’s officially New Year’s resolution season.

According to a 2007 study by the University of Bristol, 78% of people who set New Year’s resolutions ultimately fail. Those who didn’t fail typically did three things: 1) Set small, incremental goals; 2) Received encouragement from friends and family; and 3) Recognized and overcame obstacles encountered along the way.

If your resolution this year is to exercise a little more, we can help with No. 3.

Exercising in old sneakers can present some major obstacles. Exercise in old shoes places much more stress on the joints and bones in your leg, which can lead to repetitive stress injuries like shin splints.

That’ll put an end to any New Year’s resolution.

The best way to overcome that obstacle is to plan for it. Find a quality pair of shoes, and when the sole begins to get worn out, replace it. That will keep you on track to meet your resolution.

If it’s time to replace your shoes, here’s a place to start. Here are three of our top styles of training shoes, for both men and women:

Nike Men’s Air Diamond Trainer Training Shoe ($59.99)

The Air Diamond trainer’s lightweight synthetic leather construction is designed for lightweight functionality. For comfort, the training shoe also has a full-length Nike Phylon midsole with Air-Sole units in the heels.

Adidas Men’s Excelsior 6 Training Shoe ($74.99)

This training shoe is designed to last. It features 10,000 cycle high-abrasion synthetic leather on the upper to protect against all elements. The full length EVA midsole provides maximum comfort.

Nike Air Men’s MVP PreGame Training Shoe ($81.99)

For comfort, the Air Men’s MVP PreGame Training Shoe includes a full-length Phylon midsole with a Tri Vis Heel air sole unit. The forefoot lateral outrigger enhances lateral stability.

Mizuno Women’s Wave Nexus G2 Training Shoes ($79.99)

The Composite Fan Wave midsole on the Wave Nexus G2 provides the right amount of cushioning and stability. The outsole is a combination of solid and blown rubber designed for flexibility and durability.

Reebok Women’s RunTone Action Toning Shoe ($99.99)

Reebok’s Women’s RunTone Action Toning Shoe features eight balance pods that move air to create a unique softness with every stride. It also forces more activation in key running muscles.

Nike Women’s Shox Turbo+ 11 Running Shoe ($114.99)

The Shox Turbo+ 11 running shoe features Nike’s Shox cushioning in the heel and a well-cushioned Phylon forefoot for a smooth, responsive ride.

Related: Browse our entire selection of running and training shoes.

Add 5-10 inches to your vertical with Katapult’s Adult Training Shoes

Yeah, these training shoes look goofy. But they won’t be laughing when you’re dominating them on the court.

Katapult’s Adult Training Shoes have been shown to increase an average player’s vertical leap by 5 to 10 inches. They can also shave up to two tenths of a second off your 40-yard dash time.

That’s a huge advantage for basketball players of every position.

These weighted training shoes feature a rubber cupsole, non-marking outsole and molded EVA pedestal. They come with a 52-week in/off season training program, instructional HD-DVD, laminated workout card and stretch strap.

Get a pair for $129.99 at Basketball Express.

Related: Browse our entire selection of basketball training aids.