Figure Competition Shoes

Figure Competition Shoes

Chances are you're looking to purchase your first figure competition shoes. You've trained a lot for your figure competition, done your competition diet and now you're wondering what kind of shoes should you wear on stage? How high do they need to be? Can they contain a platform? This article will show you important things to look for when choosing your figure contest shoes.

Color
Everyone likes long firm legs and figure competition judges, particularly. You might be naturally blessed with a tall slender body and long legs but if you are not, then you need to use every advantage you can to create the illusion that you have longer legs. This is where your choice of shoes comes into play. You need to make sure that you chose a shoe that has a heel but also is clear in color.
The reason for the clear shoe is that a colored pair, such as a black one, would give the impression that your legs stop very dramatically and it becomes apparent that the shoe is there. But a clear pair will be almost invisible and therefore will give the illusion an elongated leg so the judges “think” you’re a little taller than you really are. You want your shoes to blend, not distract the judges from focusing on the good parts of your body.

Heels, Platforms, Straps
Purchase at least a 5'' heel, it elongates your leg and gives you a better presence on stage. Anything below 5'' just will not have the same affect for your legs.

Avoid high platforms, as they simply make you look clumsy on stage. Make sure that the front platform is less than 1 inch.

Straps or no straps – it is up to your discretion. Some figure competitors feel more comfortable with a strap at the top of their foot, since the straps do help to keep the shoes on and in place, while others like just a slide on shoe that frees them from the hassle of untying and retying shoes all day when they are off stage.
Some folks claim that you need to let the judges' eye roll down your legs without any blunt break where your feet touch the shoes, so straps aren't desirable aesthetically as they break the "illusion" of height at the ankles and can make you look shorter.

Practice makes perfect
Do not have the figure competition to be the first time you have spent time in your shoes or your feet may suffer. You will spend a lot of time backstage for both pre-judging as well as the awards ceremonies and the last thing you want on that day is a painful shoe! It should really look second nature and effortless on stage. How you walk on stage is the presentation of all of your hard work in the gym.

Be sure to buy your figure competition shoes 3-4 weeks ahead of your figure show to give plentiful time to learn how to walk in them and to practice turns and pivots. Wear them around the house, do laundry with them, bring them to the gym with you and do about 15 minutes of walking at the end of your training. The idea is to get used to wearing them and walking around in them for hours.

The more comfortable you get with your shoes, the better on competition day.

Good luck!

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