Are You Wearing Proper Gym Shoes?

What Type of Shoes is Best for the Gym?

First off, you have to find what is most comfortable and fitting for YOU. But, this aside, the most common mistake I see is people wearing running shoes for training/ weight lifting, instead of training shoes.

❓What’s the Difference❓

Running shoes have lots of cushion and support for heel-to-toe movement, which is why the heel is often higher and slopes down to the toe. Training shoes are designed for overall versatility including, weight lifting, HIIT training, aerobics, etc. Therefore, the shoe is often lighter weight and more flexible with a flatter, less cushioned sole.

❗️Why it Matters❗️

Wearing a running shoe with a higher heel for lifting exercises ( i.e. squats/ deadlifts/ overhead press/ etc.) will improperly displace your weight and prevent you from driving through your heels. This creates an unstable surface, which not only reduces your power output ability, but also puts you at a much greater risk for injury, as it throws your body’s kinetic chain out of alignment.

🏋🏻‍♀️Training Shoe Reviews/ Recommendations🏋🏻‍♀️

There are several great training shoes out there. The following list includes some of my favorite training shoes, while honestly outlining their drawbacks as well:

1) Reebok Nano 8 (any from the Nano series)-

PROS: Extremely lightweight, breathable, flexible, comfortable and won’t break the bank. No big complaints about this shoe, which is why they are listed as my #1!

PRICE: $$

2) NOBULL Trainer–

PROS: Lightweight, yet very supportive and comfortable. A little sturdier material than the Reeboks.

CONS: The only downfall I have found is that they do not breathe well, which causes your feet to become very hot.

PRICE: $$$ A little pricier than the Reeboks, but still a reasonable price.

3) APL Training Shoe (Techloom Tracer)-

PROS: Lots of comfort and descent support. Flexible enough to be used for HIIT training. Very fashionable.

CONS: Tongue of the shoe is not adjustable, which may cause you to feel somewhat constricted. While they are considered a training shoe, they are not as flat as other training shoes (the flatter the better when squatting & deadlifting).

PRICE: $$$$ Most expensive shoe. You are paying for the brand name.

4) Nike Metcon–

PROS: Very flat shoe, which makes them ideal for squats and deadlifts. During these exercises, you feel very balanced and secure when lifting heavy.

CONS: The soles are extremely stiff, making them uncomfortable for any kind of high intensity/ aerobic training.

PRICE: $$$ About the same price as the NOBULL Trainer.

All in all, the right shoe for you greatly depends on the type of work you plan to do in the gym. Based on your regime, you can determine which kind of shoe is best, so you can stay safe and push hard in your workouts! For more insight, give @asmanyreviewsaspossible a follow on Instagram for reviews of several brands of training shoes and other training equipment!