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 HuffPost. 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 HuffPost. “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.
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Under Armour Charged sneakers
Hoka Kawana sneaker
Reebok Nano sneakers
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."
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.)"
Altra shoes
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 HuffPost readers.
Converse All Stars
