| Copyright (c) 2010 Karen Sessions | | | | You can buy a figure heel that you merely slide your |
| You decided to contend in your first figure show and | | | | foot into or you can purchase one with a strap at |
| you are ready to pick out your figure heels. Before | | | | the top of your foot. Pick the type of shoe that is |
| you run out to the closest shoe warehouse, stop and | | | | comfortable for you and that you can walk easily in. |
| ask yourself a few key questions... | | | | Pick a figure show shoe a half size smaller. When |
| When should you get your figure shoes? | | | | your heel is 5" high it shoves your toes to the tip of |
| What color figure heel to buy? | | | | your shoe, leaving a space at your heel. By sporting a |
| Can they have a design? | | | | shoe a half size smaller, it will do away with the hole |
| How high of a heel do you need? | | | | at your heel. |
| Can they contain a platform? | | | | Be sure not to select platforms, because they only |
| Be sure to buy your figure competition shoes 3-4 | | | | make you look clumsy on stage. |
| months ahead of your figure show to give bountiful | | | | Practice walking in your figure shoes. You need to |
| time to learn how to walk in them and to practice | | | | practice walking in your heels around your house |
| turns and pivots. | | | | before you even think about getting on the figure |
| Make sure your figure competition shoes are clear in | | | | stage. Walk on solid areas to get the feel for them |
| color. They should not comprise any color such as | | | | and to practice balance and control. Be sure to |
| black, gold, silver, etc. A show clear in color will | | | | practice your walk in your figure competition heels in |
| provide the illusion of an elongated leg. When you | | | | from of your trainer or coach. |
| wear a shoe with color, such as a black, your legs | | | | Once you can control and balance your walk on hard |
| stop dramatically and it becomes evident that the | | | | areas, begin walking on carpet so you can practice |
| heel is there. The clear shoe, however, doesn't draw | | | | your turns and pivots. It's hard to turn on carpet, so, |
| the judges' attention away from your shape. You can | | | | if you can learn to turn and pivot on carpet you can |
| have a rhinestone design on your shoes, yet keep it | | | | turn and pivot on a hard surface like a figure pro. |
| minute. | | | | Now that you can walk, turn, and pivot in your 5" |
| Your figure competition shoe should be a minimum of | | | | heels, it's time to practice walking while swinging your |
| 5" high. You need a minimum of 5" to give your legs | | | | arms. Hold your head high, keep your tummy in tight, |
| an elongated look and your calves proportion for | | | | and keep a natural rhythm in your walking. All the |
| balance, and tightness for the complete package. | | | | practice walking helps to break-in your figure shoes |
| Regardless of your height, tall or short, you need a | | | | to forbid blisters on your contest day. |
| figure contest shoe that's at least 5". | | | | |