Productopia | Running Shoes

Fitness trends come and go, but in recent years, no fitness trend has been as prominent has the emergence (or, as some may argue, reemergence) of minimalist running shoes.

For those readers who are unfamiliar: In 2009, Christopher McDougall published his book Born to Run. A serious runner who suffered from frequent injuries, McDougall went on a search for a better way to run. His journey led him to the Tarahumara Indians of Mexico. The tribe is known for running hundreds of miles in only sandals. In his book, McDougall argues that it is precisely the shoes that we turn to to cushion and protect our feet--with their gels and stability posts--that cause so many running injuries. The focus on finding a shoe that corrects incorrect pronation and provides stability is flawed, he says. 

Fact: Reviews can only take you so far when you're choosing new running shoes, since it's impossible to list the best fit for every foot. Still, expert and user feedback can help you narrow down your choices, a helpful thing with the dizzying array of options now available. To help make your hunt a little easier, we did some additional detective work and dug up a few footwear-finding tips.

Taking up yoga? Today's students have a plethora of mats to choose from. Current yoga mats fall into one of three categories: Plastic, eco-friendly and yoga towels. Ultra-lightweight yoga mats also exist for individuals who frequently travel.

 Plastic yoga mats, the most common offerings, are the most inexpensive. However, these products, while sturdy and durable, are typically made with a plastic called polyvinyl chloride (also known as PVC). Many health experts warn against using PVC yoga mats, since this compound contains a group of chemicals called phthalates. These questionable substances have drawn recent scrutiny for their possible health risks. Additionally, there are also environmental concerns about PVC, since the manufacturing of this plastic releases toxic compounds called dioxins into the atmosphere.