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”.
She breaks it down:
- 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”.
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Nike Free Metcon 6 Workout Shoes
For that extra push when motivation is low, you’ll feel relieved to have the Nike Free Metcon 5 in tow. At first glance, it’s hard to resist their sleek silhouette, souped-up sole and colourways ranging from pared-back black to a neon green touch embellishing a white upper but the magic is in the functional elements.
The latter includes the wide heel that creates a stable base so you’re secure on your feet when you’re upping the weight yet comfortable courtesy of the pressure-absorbing foam core and internal webbing. There’s also padding around the ankle and a rubber tread for durability.
Buy now £119.95, Nike
On Running Cloud X 3
This is On Running’s answer to an everything shoe. It takes its design origins from traditional running silhouettes but incorporates a wider platform for a solid base. The brand’s trademarked Speedboard feature provides agility for explosive movements like burpees, sprints and jump squats, a feat enhanced by the sheer lightweight nature of the shoe itself – weighing in at just 243g.
The Cloud X 3 comes in eight colourways and has been re-engineered by the label to improve their eco credentials. The three-layer mesh that’s renowned for its breathability is now constructed almost entirely (90-95 per cent) from recycled content.
Buy now £90.00, Office
Adidas Powerlift 5 Weightlifting Shoes
Oozing with retro charm, it is no surprise that Adidas’ Powerlift 5 is a bestseller. The shoes were made first and foremost for weightlifting, which is instantly obvious from the twofer strap and laces to tightly secure the feet in place. To enhance their stability is a midsole wedge and a rubber outsole for grip so you’re firmly planted in situ as you add more kgs to your deadlifts and squats.
The full package, these shoes are attractive, high-performing and environmentally friendly with a construction made from recycled materials. They are available in four colourways that range from minimalistic alternating black and white uppers, to a bold black and red or grey with lucid lemon. A half-size up may be needed.
Buy now £90.00, Adidas
Lululemon Strongfeel Women's Training Shoe
What sets the Lululemon trainers apart is its women-first design. Many of the shoes that you’ll find on the market have the same silhouette for both sexes and yet the width, arch and shape characteristics are distinctively different. The Canadian athleisure label launched its label with an emphasis on female fit and feel with a designated shoe for each type of exercise. The Strongfeel is made for training.
While the Chargefeel 2 have been designed for both running and training as a versatile all-rounder, the Strongfeel is more grounded in its design to provide the stability required when it comes to lifting weights. With each dumbbell-powered squat, lunge, burpee and deadlift, you’ll be thankful for the solid platform. The shoes are also fitted with multidirectional traction for fast movements. There are 10 colourways.
Buy now £118.00, Lululemon
Adidas Amplimove Trainer Shoes
Go faster, further and heavier with Amplimove, a trainer designed specifically for high-intensity workouts. No matter your class of choice – be it Barry’s, 1Rebel, Kobox or BXR, the shoe was made to keep you going and improve your endurance. This is through its mesh upper to encourage airflow and TPU overlays to support you as you change direction in your dynamic movements. The shoes are made from at least 20 per cent recycled materials and come in three shades of black, white and red.
Buy now £60.00, Adidas
Inov8 Bare-XF Women's Training Shoes
Removing all the fuss and frills from the equation, the Inov8 Bare-XF Women's Training Shoes have a barely-there feel. Better than going barefoot, however, these stripped-back sneakers offer support and stability with the brand’s signature sticky rubber outsole and a specialised wide-toe box that is adaptable when your feet swell in race conditions as well as to keep you balanced through weightlifting.
The upper is made from one piece of 3D air mesh to encourage airflow and ease of movement and the cradle lacing system keeps them where they belong – on your feet.
Buy now £89.99, Sports Shoes
Nike Metcon 9
At the base of the Nike Metcon 9 shoe is a Hyperlift plate that will keep you balanced and grounded throughout lifting endeavours. But if you thought for one minute that this would stand in the way of their responsiveness. Think again, it’s Nike after all. The shoes are imbued with a dual-density midsole that combines firm and soft foam to ensure each step is spring-loaded, comfortable and cushioned.
Meanwhile, at the upper, you have a lightweight mesh for breathability and at the side is a rubber wrap that acts as a bumper to prevent wear and tear. They are available in the sleek colourway pictured as well as a classic black.
Buy now £84.49, Nike
Hoka Solimar
Hoka is a running brand categorised by its signature stacked sole that may be the densest cushioning on the market. The same is true for the Solimar, which is preliminary a running shoe. That being said, they are nimbler in design and fitted with a balanced midsole and what the brand calls its extended ‘crash pad’ to have you covered in sweat-soaked gym sessions too, especially when it’s cardio day.
Extra rubber enhances their durability, the construction is vegan and elements like the laces and tongue mesh are crafted from recycled materials. The shoes come in black and a striking fuchsia.
Buy now £105.00, Hoka
Reebok Nano X4
When your training is varied, your shoes need to be adaptable, and it was with this in mind that Reebok created the Nano X4. They will see you through your heart rate-elevating exercises as you combine cardio and weights to improve your fitness levels.
Throughout, the synthetic mesh upper supports lateral, ever-changing movements working alongside EVA foam cushioning for a soft footing. For a sturdy grip, look to the rubber outsole complete with forefoot grooves for traction.
Buy now £75.00, Reebok
UA Flow Dynamic Training Shoes
Crush every workout no matter whether you are running or hitting the gym floor in the UA Flow Dynamic shoes. Made for circuit training or mixed cardio and weight classes, these shoes combine essential running features like support with the traction required in weightlifting.
The UA IntelliKnit upper takes its cues from pavement-pounding designs with a stretchy, breathable construction that is light, comfortable and secure in equal measure. For durability and explosive movements, there is the combination of a responsive Flow midsole, an internal shank underfoot and grip from the outsole. The Under Armour trainers come in eight colourways.
Buy now £115.00, Sports Direct
HOKA Clifton 9
Ask any long-distance runner their trainer of choice and you’ll likely hear more than a few recommendations for Hoka. And, for those looking for a little extra arch support, these HOKA Clifton 9s are a great choice.
The ninth iteration of the brand’s award-winning Clifton line is lighter and more cushioned than previous models. Eliminating weight while adding 3mm in stack height, these Clifton 9s deliver a revitalised underfoot experience with a responsive new foam and improved outsole design.
Buy now £130.00, Hoka
