Miley Cyrus has consistently demonstrated her dedication to fitness over the years, often showcasing her impressive gym routines. Recently, the 31-year-old singer shared an intriguing detail about her workout attire: she exercises in heels.
In a cover story for W Magazine, Miley explained her unique approach. “My mantra is, like any athlete, ‘Practice how you perform,’” she said. “That’s why I practice in my heels. The gym looks really tough, but then I’ve got my ivory Gucci slingbacks because they remind me of Marilyn Monroe.”
Miley emphasized that she “mostly” trains in heels, aiming to feminize the workout space, which she finds aesthetically unappealing. “I’m interested in feminizing the workout space, because so much of the workout equipment is ugly,” she remarked.
The choice to work out in heels serves more than just a practical purpose for Miley; it also helps her embody her stage persona. “I definitely have a persona—an expanded, fully realized version of myself that I tap into as a performer,” she noted. “But then there’s a level of my life that’s super intimate, sacred, and secret.”
However, medical professionals caution against adopting this practice. “In general, this is not healthy,” said Richard H. Graves, DPM, of Sol Foot & Ankle Centers in Longwood, California. “The joints are not functioning in their normal alignment, and some muscles and tendons are stretched more and working harder than they should be.”
Graves further explained that exercising in heels can increase the risk of various injuries. “Wearing high heels puts you at greater risk of injuries on the ball of the foot and toes,” he said, listing stress fractures, metatarsalgia, hammertoes, and pinched nerves as potential issues.
Ankle stability is another concern. “It also increases the chance of injuries related to ankle stability, such as sprains and tendon injuries,” Graves noted. Asim Sayed, DPM, a podiatrist and foot and ankle surgeon at Susan B. Allen Memorial Hospital, echoed these sentiments, warning that working out in heels “significantly increases your risk for injury in every way possible.”
Melissa Lockwood, DPM, from Heartland Foot and Ankle Associates in Bloomington, Illinois, pointed out that chronic issues can arise from wearing heels during workouts. However, she acknowledged that for someone like Miley, who frequently performs and dances in heels, rehearsals in such footwear might be appropriate to prevent stage injuries.
For the general public, experts advise against this practice. “Non-performers need to wear a supportive, structured shoe that gives them balance across the entire bottoms of their feet,” Lockwood advised. Sayed added, “The most important aspects when it comes to choosing healthy footwear are stability, sturdiness, and comfort.”
In summary, while Miley Cyrus’s method may work for her performance needs, podiatrists strongly recommend sticking with supportive sneakers for regular workouts.