While pursuing fitness, wearing the right gym shoes can give you all the edge you need. They can not only keep you safe and comfortable, but also enhance your stability, form, confidence, and power. How to make an informed choice though? There are quite a few things to consider, be it your training style, foot type, or the key aspects of a shoe, like the material, heel, sole, or toe box. Hence, whether you are looking for proper running shoes or something more attuned to weightlifting or strength training, keep this guide handy.
Picking the Perfect Gym Shoes Made Easy
Here are the top things to account for when picking sports shoes for the gym, so you can progress smoothly without getting hurt or compromising your posture, movement, and overall wellness.
Pay Heed to Your Foot Type
Not everyone has the same kind of feet, which means a pair that works well for a friend might not serve your purpose at all. Here are the key points to remember:
- Flat Feet: While running or walking, if your feet collapse and roll inwards too much, you probably have flat feet. Motion-controlled gym shoes with rigid heel counters and robust arch support can be the ideal choice in such a scenario. To ensure the heel counters are stiff enough, pinch the backs of the shoes slightly.
- High Arches: Do your feet have prominent arches or roll outwards excessively? You might have narrow feet with high arches then. In such a case, it’s best to go for a pair with knit uppers or those that hug your feet like socks. This especially holds true if running shoes are on your mind.
- Hammer Toes or Bunions: Pick shoes that are adequately spacious as well as stretchable if you have these problems. Make sure the materials used are breathable too. You can also wear toe spacers for easy flexing.
Be Mindful of Your Training Style
Before zeroing in on gym shoes, consider the types of workouts you will be engaging in. For instance, shoes that work well for deadlifts or squats might not suit high-intensity movements or lateral lunges. So, consider the following to optimise your gym sessions:
- Strength Training: Opt for shoes with high grip and flat soles for ample stability. Get a pair with wide toe boxes that distribute your weight in an even fashion. And choose materials that allow plenty of air circulation.
- High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT): Sports shoes that enable multi-directional movements and dynamic stability are apt for this. Make sure the pair is lightweight too and allows you to be nimble on your feet.
- Weightlifting: This calls for shoes that feature stiff, hardy soles as well as lifts in the heels. Your ankles and calves enjoy better mobility this way. You can squat lower and better too. Also, check if the outsoles provide the required amount of traction.
Focus on the Heels
Irrespective of the workout type, equipment used, and your fitness level, the heel of a gym shoe must offer a steady, grounded sensation and a decent range of movement. Stay away from wobbly heels especially as they can ruin your form. If you are looking for running shoes, cushioned and curved heels can do the trick. However, for other workouts, you need wide heels for improved stability. On the other hand, when you need more support with flexing ankles, gym shoes with a high heel-to-toe drop or elevated heels are ideal.
Get Adequately Supportive Soles
When shopping for gym footwear from reputed shoes brands in India, you will notice how the soles are different in case of running and training pairs. Running shoes usually come with significantly textured soles that are also well-cushioned. In training shoes, the soles are flatter though and not as cushioned. This is because both types cater to different kinds of movements and stability requirements. So, keep the following in consideration:
- If you intend to do box jumps or burpees, get shoes that offer necessary cushioning for safe landings. The soles must be flexible enough to bend with your feet.
- For weightlifting, shoes with minimal cushioning are the best to help you feel grounded.
- For skater jumps, crab walks, or other lateral movements, get shoes designed specifically for the same to enjoy maximum support.
Check If the Toes Have Room Enough
The toe box of your gym shoes must be spacious enough, so your toes can grip the surface underneath, splay, and find balance easily. Ideally, there should be a gap of about half-an-inch between the shoe’s front tip and the point where your longest toe ends. If your toes feel scrunched, try another pair.
Take Materials Seriously
Go for gym shoes crafted with materials that score high on these three parameters – flexibility, durability, and breathability. Depending on your training style, they must be able to deal with regular wear and tear for a long time to come. Also, your feet shouldn’t get hot, smelly, and sweaty after every workout session. Remember that you can never get optimal results when your feet don’t feel comfortable.
Get the Fit Right
Whether you are buying gym shoes for adults or sports shoes for boys and girls, there is no denying the importance of the right fit. While you definitely don’t want to lug around in an extra-loose pair, tight shoes can cause a lot of pain, redness, and blisters. Also, slide into the gym shoes for a try-out towards the evening when your feet are likely to swell from day-long activities. And don’t just walk around in them. Try out a few movements you usually engage in at the gym to make sure the pair can handle the workload.
Conclusion
So, to cut a long story short, it is not that challenging to select the perfect gym shoes to meet your fitness goals efficiently. Just keep the above tips in mind and don’t allow trendy styles and exciting colours to overshadow the aspects that actually matter – comfort, support, function, and durability. Whether it is you who is trying to get in shape and build strength or you want an active lifestyle for your children, picking the right sports shoes is non-negotiable. Explore the collections at Asian Footwears to kick-start your shopping spree.