Fitzness.com

Have fitness questions? Fitz has your answers. Our That's Fit fitness expert -- and now your own virtual personal trainer -- will help you get fit, increase your overall health and do it in a fun way. Drop your questions here in the Comments section below and we'll choose one per week to publish on That's Fit! Learn more about Fitz here.

Q. Hi Fitz. I need to buy some new shoes for the gym, but I don't know which brand to choose. Which do you like, and which are overall best? Rachel

A. Hello Miss Rachel. I'm happy to hear from you! This is one of the most common questions I'm asked, so I'm happy to answer it for everyone.

Using proper training equipment, especially footwear, is one of the most valuable steps you can take towards the prevention of injuries and promotion of a fabulous training experience.

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We at That's Fit and AOL Health know you've got a lot going on in your lives besides staying in great shape, and we realize that more than just diet and exercise goes into feeling your best every day. That's why we're sharing some of the exciting reporting going on at AOL Health.

Sweating while working out is one thing, but sweating (and smelling) on the go, is another. At AOL Health we've got you and your glands covered, with these best and worst reader-tested and reviewed deodorants. Plus, did you know your antiperspirant could slow hair growth?

Ditch the get-fit-quick diet scams, and go for natural weight loss -- sounds nice and easy right? Well, you know from experience that it's not always a piece of cake (because of temptations like, well, cake). But there are some natural aides you can find in your home that may help you shed those extra pounds.

Loss of sensation, flat feet, athlete's foot and aches and pains in your feet might be telling you something more about your overall health. Check out "What Your Feet Are Telling You" to learn more.

Now that winter is over and you're putting away your thick socks, you might notice that your feet aren't in the greatest shape. Whether it's because you've been wearing heavy shoes to protect your tootsies from the snow, or because you've been hitting the treadmill all winter, it's entirely likely you're dealing with some serious calluses and other ickiness. However, you don't have to spend a fortune at the spa for an elaborate treatment -- there are plenty of ways to get your feet in shape at home!

First of all, remove any nail polish remaining on your toenails -- use a cotton ball to get it all. Then, soak your feet in hot (but not uncomfortably hot) water. You can add Epsom salt, a few drops of lemon juice and olive oil, or any sort of scented soak you like -- go with citrus or minty fragrances to invigorate, or to relax, choose something like lavender or chamomile.

Clip and file your toenails as desired, but be careful not to go too short too quickly. If you have dirt under your nails (hey, it happens!), use a birchwood or orangewood stick to gently remove it. Then, you're ready to really get to work on those calluses and rough skin, which is where the right tools and products make all the difference.

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I've been testing out the new adidas Supernova Glide running shoes (top image for women, lower image for men) and have great news for those of you desperate for more support. These shoes have lots of it. My initial response as I first put my feet into these shoes was, "Wow! They're so soft and comfy!" And after many uses, I still feel the same way; they kind of make me feel like I'm running on pillows.

l have, however, felt like it would be totally lame to describe them to you as "soft and comfy." That description seemed almost too simple. But last week, while I was working out at a gym in a beautiful Sandals Resort in Jamaica, I noticed the man next to me on the stepper wearing a pair. So I asked Kevin from Canada what he thought of his new Supernova Glides, and do you know what he told me? "They're soft and comfortable!"

Throughout both my career as a fitness professional and as a competitive athlete, my feet have taken quite a beating. Proper footwear is about the only thing keeping me going at this point. It is said that every step a runner takes places three times the amount of their body weight worth of impact down on each foot. Ouch! The right shoe has the ability to dramatically decrease the amount of trauma each foot will endure.

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A few weeks ago, I wrote about the problems I've been having with plantar fasciitis. I hadn't been to see a doctor yet, but based my the symptoms, I was quite certain plantar fasciitis is what I'm dealing with. My pain was typically worse in the mornings after I worked out -- to the point that walking was difficult until things loosened up for me.

Since I wrote my original post, I've tried out some tips. All in all, I think they're helping. I've been able to wake up the morning after working out and (aaah, aaah the angels sing), I can actually walk. There's still some pain, but it's not nearly as bad. Check out the gallery for details.

Do you have plantar fasciitis? If so, what's worked best for you?

When's the last time you slathered on the sunscreen before going for a long run, only to end up with it dripping and stinging your eyes, or proving less effective in the areas that really sweat? How about anti-friction products -- it's one thing if you have to reapply on your thighs, or your feet, but what if you really need it for the boob chafing? What are you supposed to do then?

Athletes of all levels run into problems like these, which is exactly why MISSION Product came to be. The entire line was created to meet the needs of athletes in all sports as well as any other active folks, containing vital nutrients and antioxidants, so you can focus on your performance rather than what to use on your skin.

A number of pro athletes are already on board with MISSION, including Carmelo Anthony (who loves the anti-friction cream), Gretchen Bleiler (who digs the Sweet Vanilla Lip Balmer -- and so do I), Mia Hamm (who uses the Daily Offense SPF 30 Stick to keep from getting burned), and Steve Nash (who's a fan of my other favorite product, the Foot Synergy Gel).

Check out the gallery to see a variety of products -- which one can you not possibly live without?

I overpronate, so my workout shoes wear out rather quickly. Recently, I made the cardinal sin of fitness buffs and tried to wear my shoes long after they needed to be replaced. Six months later, I'm paying the price. While I'm not 100 percent positive that I have plantar fasciitis, the symptoms certainly point to it. For example, the morning after a long workout, I feel like someone is jabbing knives up my feet. A new pair of shoes and a trip to the doctor are in my near future.

Plantar fasciitis is caused by straining the ligament that supports the arch of your foot. While it's painful, plantar fasciitis doesn't need to put you on the sidelines. Some tips:

• Buy good shoes. Shoes are not something to skimp on. Look for shoes with good arch support or consider motion control shoes if you overpronate.
• Stretch. Do calf stretches and towel stretches several times a day.
  
• Avoid hard surfaces. If you're a runner or a walker, try moving your workout to an indoor track. Cement and other hard surfaces may aggravate your pain.
• Try new exercises. Swimming won't aggravate plantar fasciitis and other activities -- such as biking -- may be easier for you.

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It's inevitable. You go to the gym before work, shower, and put on your slip-on shoes. But then, halfway through the day, there's a distinct funk coming from beneath your desk -- you've got some stinky feet!

There are plenty of solutions, like wearing shoes with socks, or pouring powder into your shoes. However, I've found something better -- Verikira's Paraben-free Fresh Feet Foot Crème. It's 82 percent organic and contains vinegar, which is one of the best cures for funky feet you can find. But your feet won't smell like vinegar -- it also uses essential oils of patchouli, tee tree, thyme, basil, geranium, and cinnamon.

The best part? It totally works! I put it on in the morning, and then, whether I work outside, sweating in my dirty sandals, or hit the gym, soaking my gym socks with sweat, my feet don't stink. And, at the risk of entering TMI territory, let me say that this has never been the case for me.

My colleague at the Active Health Network, and yoga expert, Stacy McCarthy, has some pretty enlightening information to share about the two things that keep you running, jumping, and dancing for fitness. Your feet! Spend about a minute watching this great clip, and spend the rest of your life moving in the upright position.

For more fun fitness tips, recipes and videos ...

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Whenever I've trained to run a long-ish distance, (which, for me, means anything over six miles or so), I experience the same things -- a little knee pain, a bit of plantar faciitis, and, of course, blisters. Most runners I know have experienced blisters, some to a debilitating extent, and it flat out sucks to sit out a workout because of blisters.

There are lots of ways to treat blisters, and shoes and sunglasses, what works for one person might not work for another. In the gallery, I've pulled together a few popular treatments for blisters, but I'm curious to hear about your solutions, too. Let's hear your best blister beaters in the comments!

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Few things can make you feel sexier than donning a fabulous pair of heels. But if you practically live in stilettos, here's a good reason to take a break from all that height: Heels can cause major problems in your feet, legs and back. In fact, you could end up like the British Apprentice contestant Claire Young, who says that heels ruined her spine and left in with pain so severe that she missed the final of the show.

It started as a nagging pain that she ignored, but the TV reality star eventually did so much damage to her spine that she couldn't get out of bed for weeks. In her own words: 'I've suffered too much to go back to my high heels again - I wear them only on special occasions. I had always joked that my shoes had killer heels, but believe me, I've learned to my cost the real meaning of the term.'

My advice? Stick to flats, and save the heels for rare dressy occasions. And when you do wear heels, wear them well.

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Getting a pedicure is one of the best ways to relax after a hard day, but hitting the salon every time you feel stressed can get expensive. But no worries!

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I love a good pedicure. Not sure I'd love one if it involved flesh-eating fish devouring my dry skin and callouses. Hey, I guess fish need to eat too -- which is exactly what they are doing is some spas and salons. Ouch.

People are swimming to one salon in Alexandria, Virginia -- the only U.S. salon featuring the feasting fish from Turkey -- and as one reporter notes in this video after giving it a try, it's not all that bad. It's amazing, actually. As for her feet: they are so soft even her husband noticed.

Here's how it all works: First, you wash your feet. Then, you step into a tub of water, have a seat, and allow the fish to nibble for about 15 minutes. Don't worry, they're only drawn to dead, unhealthy skin areas and won't attack your healthy skin, allegedly. And by all accounts, the whole process is safe. The fish are safe, the water is safe -- it's changed after each use -- and your bank account won't suffer too badly either. The cost of this fishy experience starts at $35.

Sound strange? Does to me. Would you give it a try? Don't think I would.

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When it comes to buying running shoes, the kind you buy isn't the only determinant in a successful sale -- the time of day you shop at is also an important factor.

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The human foot wasn't designed for shoes, and believe it or not most of the shoes we wear (even the athletic ones!) are actually doing more harm than good.

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