Choosing the Perfect Figure Competition Heels

Copyright (c) 2010 Karen Sessions

You decided to battle in your first figure competition and you are ready to choose your figure competition shoes. Before you run out to the closest shoe mart, stop and ask yourself a few elementary questions...

When should you purchase your competition heels?

What color figure heels to purchase?

Can they have a design?

How high of a heel do I need?

Can they contain a platform?

Be sure to get your figure competition heels 3-4 months before your figure contest to give bountiful time to experience how to walk in them and to practice turns and pivots.

Your figure contest heels need to be clear. They should not have any color such as black, gold, silver, etc. A clear heel furnishes the mirage of an elongated leg. When you sport a shoe with color, such as a black, your legs stop dramatically and it becomes apparent that the heel is there. The clear heel, however, doesn't draw the judges' eyes away from your build. You can have a rhinestone design on your shoes, yet keep it minute.

Your heels should be at least 5" high. You will require at least 5 inches to provide your legs an elongated appearance, as well as balance for your calves and overall tightness. Regardless of your height, tall or short, you need a figure show shoe that's at least 5".

You may select a heel that you slip your foot into or choose one with a strap on the top of your foot. Purchase a heel that you find comfortable and that you can walk well in.

Get a heel a half size smaller. When your heel is 5" high it shoves your toes to the tip of your shoe, leaving a opening at your heel. By wearing a shoe a half size smaller, it will eliminate the gap at your heel.

Do not select platforms, as they simply make you look clumsy on stage.

Practice walking in your heels. Practice walking in your house in your heels before you think about stepping on the figure stage. To get the feel for your heels, practice walking on solid areas to learn balance and control. Practice walking in your figure heels in front of someone who can give you honorable feedback, such as a figure coach or a seasoned figure athlete.

Once you can control and balance your walk on hard surfaces, begin walking on carpet so you can practice your turns and pivots. It's grueling to turn on carpet, consequently, if you can learn to turn and pivot on carpet you can turn and pivot on a hard surface like a figure pro.

Now that you can walk, turn, and pivot in your 5" shoes, it's time to practice walking while swinging your arms. Hold your head high, hold your abs in tight, and keep a natural rhythm in your walking. All the practice walking helps to break-in your figure heels to stop blisters on your show day.