Most personal trainers will tell you that you don’t need a ton of fancy equipment or an expensive gym membership to get more movement in your life. Yet, you are going to want a good pair of shoes. These days, there are hundreds of pairs of sneakers on the market, so we spoke to some personal trainers and fitness coaches about their workout shoe suggestions.
“Ultimately it’s up to the wearer to decide what’s comfy,” said Katie M. Feeley, coach at Power Plant Gym in Aston, Pennsylvania. She added that when online shoe shopping, she recommends ordering two sizes or options to see what fit best, then sending back the other.
For a basic guideline, Feeley says you’ll probably want something with cushion for running and something that’s flat for weight training. Yet, if you’re looking for one pair of everything gym shoes she (and others) recommend getting a pair of cross trainers, hybrid sneaks or generally universal shoes that can take you from the elliptical to the leg press.
Ilya Parker, licensed physical therapist assistant and founder of Decolonizing Fitness also likes cross-training shoes. “The primary thing I consider is budget and versatility of the shoe. I may spend a little more on a good universal training shoe because I can get so much use out of it,” Parker told noti.group. Gary Samson, head coach and owner of Philly Personal Fitness echoes the universal shoe sentiment, saying, “Don’t overcomplicate it! Pick a shoe that you’ll wear and attack your workout.”
Of course, a universal workout shoe should still be a workout shoe. Phil Nicolaou, trainer at Philadelphia Personal Trainers says you want something made for sports and activities. “I’ve seen instances where clients would attempt to wear regular shoes with virtually no support at all and ended in straining their ankles,” Nicolaou told noti.group. “If everyday work shoes were designed for the gym, people would use them more often.”
To help you get your workout on the right foot, the trainers break down their favorite shoes for running, weight lifting and general gym workouts.
noti.group and its publishing partners may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Every item is independently selected by the noti.group Shopping team. Prices and availability are subject to change. The experts consulted for this story do not necessarily endorse the products ahead unless otherwise noted.
Nobull
Nobull Outwork sneaker
Feeley agrees saying Nobull kicks are “Sturdy enough for lifting and are also suitable for plyometric movements ([also know as] jumpy stuff) and shorter runs.”
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Amazon
Under Armour Charged sneakers
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Hoka
Hoka Kawana sneaker
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Reebok
Reebok Nano sneakers
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Amazon
Xero “barefoot” shoes
Feeley notes, “If someone isn’t used to ‘barefoot’-style shoes, they should ease their way into walking or running in them because the transition can be tough at first (sore calves and feet, tight ankles, cramping, etc.)”
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Altra
Altra shoes
Feeley and Russo also both like Altra shoes, with Feeley noting, “A shoe could be considered ‘barefoot style’ (due to the minimal drop) and still have a big squishy sole… Altra has this option.” (FYI, the “drop” is the difference in height from your heel to your forefoot in a shoe.)
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Brooks
Brooks Ghost sneaker
Parker also likes Brooks. “The primary things I need from a good running shoe is cushion and support. The shoe must also be lightweight,” he said.
Brooks just released a new version of the Ghost made with a nitrogen-infused sole that’s designed to be extra-light on the feet. The style is a longtime favorite with noti.group readers.
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Converse
Converse All Stars
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Amazon
Nike Metcon sneakers
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]