It’s that time of year once again when we strap up our trainers and resolve to form better habits in regard to exercise.
Whether you are signing up for your very first gym membership, enjoy a sporadic session or you’re a regular feature on the floor, the most important piece of kit to kickstart or take you further on your fitness journey is your shoes.
The world of sports trainers can be a minefield. There are so many things to consider that go beyond just what they look like (although the link between looking good and feeling good cannot be understated). Runners need to look for energy return, and support for pronation and security, but when your exercise is mostly indoors and gym-based, there is a whole different set of requirements.
Suppose you’re getting competitive at CrossFit, finding your rhythm in a dance studio, building muscle by weightlifting or alternating from machine to bench in a HIIT class. In that case, you need footwear that will withstand the rigours of your movement.
You may even like to mix it up with a diverse training programme where a hybrid, multipurpose trainer will pare back the number of purchases involved, taking you from running to gyming in one fell swoop.
We consulted Dottie Fildes, online coach, Barry’s trainer and lululemon Ambassador to get the low down.
Do you need different trainers for the gym?
“Different kinds of workouts need different types of shoes, so it depends on what you’re planning to do at the gym”, she explains. “For cardio-related exercises you will need a running shoe that has a soft-and-springy cushioning to absorb impact, however, if you’re training, you’ll need a shoe that will provide you with the right amount of agility and stability”.
What should you look out for in trainers for the gym?
To give you enhanced stability for lifting whether it’s a leg or arm day, you need a design with a flat heel, high-abrasion durable materials and a flexible sole. Fildes advises to “Look for a shoe that provides you with the right balance and support for the exercise you’re doing. Once you narrow down what you want out of your gym shoe, you’ll be able to pick one that works best for your workout”.
- Gym shoes: are agile and leaner to allow for a wide variety of movement patterns that address the whole body.
- Heavy weightlifting: it is recommended to get a shoe with dense soles to maximise stability.
- HIIT workouts or general cardio: the shoe must be able to absorb impact with cushioning yet be light for ultimate agility.
The fitness expert concludes with a caution that “Wearing the wrong shoe at the gym can cause strain or injury so it’s important to ensure the shoe not only reflects the workout you are doing, but also aligns with the structure of your feet”.
Shop the best gym floor-ready trainers that don’t sacrifice style below