A good pair of shoes can make or break your workout, but it’s easy to make a mistake that could end up making your workout more painful than it needs to be. One of the single most important pieces of equipment to virtually any kind of exercise program, whether it is running, aerobics, hiking, tennis, basketball..is the right pair of shoes. A good pair of shoes can make or break your workout, but it’s easy to make a mistake that could end up making your workout more painful than it needs to be.