Determined to start working out, but not sure what shoes to wear? Indoor gyms offer a wide variety of sports, from spinning to strength training, cardio boxing, and specific body parts such as bobbies and kettlebells…not to mention outdoor ball games and aerobics. In addition to wearing the right clothes for the sport, the shoes you step on are also a big learning curve! There are hundreds of athletic brands and shoes on the market, but it is always confusing to look at them and still not know what to choose?

What is the difference between fitness shoes and jogging shoes and sneakers?

When doing heavy weight training in the gym, such as squats and hard lifts, the most important thing is to maintain core stability, so fitness shoes usually have better support and stability than jogging shoes and sneakers, and the soles will be harder than the other two to help you complete high-intensity training. The jogging shoes to allow you to run outdoors can achieve the best results in the design will try to make the shoes as light as possible, and to run before and after the characteristics of the movement to improve stability, the sole also to reduce the shock of rebound when the palm of the foot touches the ground, so the use of more flexible materials as the first choice.

Why do I need to wear specific training shoes for fitness?

Each sport requires different equipment depending on its characteristics, just like when you go swimming, a swimsuit that fits snugly can significantly reduce the resistance of moving forward in the water. Similarly, wearing the right pair of shoes can provide the safety (coverage) and functionality you need for your sport, which can reduce the risk of spraining your ankle and significantly improve the quality of your workout.

Can I wear jogging shoes to class or for strength training?

If you are a beginner who is preparing to step into the gym, then it is not a bad idea to wear the shoes you currently have on hand to go to class, the weight of training for beginners is usually not too heavy, so you do not have to spend a lot of money on functional shoes right away.

How to choose the right athletic footwear?

Training shoes must be selected according to the type and intensity of the sport.

• Aerobic exercise

Aerobic exercise can be treadmill, wheelbarrow, skateboard or aerobic dance, the characteristics of which are low intensity and high repetition, the easier and less strenuous each step is the better. Usually also contains a lot of lateral movement, this time you can choose a pair of shoes with a higher mouth and better coverage, in addition to protecting the ankle, reducing the chance of sprain, but also can significantly reduce the fatigue of the feet.

If the training menu is still based on running or walking, you can directly choose running shoes designed for vertical movement, which have better cushioning and lightness, and can effectively reduce the impact on the knee. For beginners with less muscle strength, thick-soled shoes can also provide good protection.

• Anaerobic exercise (weight training)

During weight training, we use the sole of the foot to transfer the force to the ground, and the ground will give us the reaction force so that we can resist the weight (ex: hard lift), so the most important thing to pay attention to is the stability and grip of the shoe, usually the sole of the shoe will be harder and thinner to provide the center of gravity and balance required during training, which is why we sometimes see people doing hard lifts barefoot.

• Integrated Training, Crossfit

If your training is more athletic, Crossfit, then choosing a pair of shoes with integrated training features will be good for you. A pair of multifunctional shoes can give your feet good mobility and provide stability for basic weight training. If you are new to fitness, it is highly recommended that you go directly to a sporting goods store and purchase a pair of multifunctional shoes.

Conclusion

Although there are many sports and no pair of shoes can really fit every sport, a good pair of sneakers can provide good stability, flexibility and grip and meet most of the needs of sports such as weight training, unarmed training, HIIT and aerobics. So definitely not a pair of jogging shoes, hiking shoes, or basketball shoes can be used as training shoes! If you participate in ball sports only occasionally, you can choose a pair of shoes that can handle most situations according to your needs.