Good shoes can boost your workout performance to the maximum level. But what should you look for when purchasing a pair of fitness shoes?
This article will cover all the essential factors to determine if the footwear is suitable for your exercises or not. Let’s check it out!
Table of Contents
What Should You Look For When Purchasing A Pair Of Fitness Shoes?
Whether you are an experienced athlete or a beginner, your fitness sneakers should fit your feet nicely and help you feel confident for your workouts.
Comfort
Comfort should be your top concern because the idea of getting fitness shoes is to ensure that you feel good when working out with them.
So how to tell if the footwear meets your demand in terms of comfort? Here are some factors to check:
- Your heel has to fit properly into the footwear’s backside.
- There are no pressure areas or chafing.
- You can wear the sneakers for a long time without adjusting anything.
Some people think that shoes may make you uncomfortable when you first put them on, and things get better afterward. However, this idea is not correct.
A good pair of shoes should be pleasant to wear. If the items you get don’t feel right, do not hesitate to try new ones.
Weight
Lightweight sneakers are ideal for workouts. It means the footwear shouldn’t be too hefty because it will affect your productivity.
Having a heavy shoe might cause your legs to exhaust faster than usual and interrupt your hard-working training.
As a result, one of the most significant factors when choosing a pair of fitness shoes is their weight.
Durability
Regardless of what kind of shoe you buy, construction is one of the most important factors to check. For fitness footwear, their material is even more critical than their design.
Manufacturers often choose durable and breathable materials to make their products. The three primary options are leather, mesh, and synthetic.
All three materials are durable, so you can pick your favorite based on your preference. Yet, avoid models manufactured for heavy-duty training.
Mesh is an excellent idea because it’s robust and lightweight. You may also love its flexibility because it gives you adequate comfort.
Traction
Traction refers to the ability to retain grip. Footwear with good traction will allow you to perform sprinting or burpees without slipping.
If you skip this part, the shoes may be prone to sliding, leading to ankle injuries and sprains.
When looking for new fitness gear, check for “hybrid tread.” It means that different areas of the shoe have both soft and firm rubber components.
Such models offer both flexibility and traction, which are much more beneficial for your workouts than those made from tougher sole materials.
Easy to wear
Since fitness lovers exercise at home or in gyms where they can’t find a dressing room quickly, aerobic shoes should be easy to wear and take off when necessary.
If you choose footwear that takes much time to put on and off, you will be more likely to leave them and switch to your casual sneakers.
When selecting this kind of footwear, go for the ones that don’t include annoying features. Thankfully, shoes made specifically for fitness have simple layouts.
Slippery
It would be best to buy models with anti-slipping soles. If the sole doesn’t give adequate security, you may lose your balance and fall.
So, look for models with high-quality materials. Such shoes can stick to your feet and avoid slipping during your training sessions.
Support
While practicing, your ankle and arch are the two parts that suffer the most. Hence, you’d better select the footwear that supports them.
Suitable footwear provides excellent stability and support to your feet during your exercise routines.
Please remember that buying high-quality fitness shoes can safeguard your ankles while preventing unwanted injuries.
The sneakers should be elastic and lightweight because they offer more support and flexibility to your arch and ankle.
Size
Do not wear shoes that are too narrow or small. Otherwise, you may limp in your newly bought footwear.
Moreover, practicing in small footwear for a long time will lead to severe problems, such as injuries. You may visit your doctor to cure your feet and ankles for this mistake.
Besides, you can’t find any comfort. Since the size is too small for your feet, you have to adjust your posture constantly until the shoe is less painful to you. You will get used to the adjusted posture in the long run, which may not be correct.
Please note that you intend to work out in the footwear. It isn’t very sensible to buy the one that is not the right size. As a result, make sure that the shoes can fit your feet perfectly.
Also, do not go shopping at the end of the day because your feet become a little bigger than they really are because you have walked for a long day. Buying sneakers at night may end up with models of the wrong size.
Some Tips While Wearing Fitness Shoes
Now you’ve got nicely fit shoes. We will share some tips that help you bring out their best and use them for longer.
Choose the right socks.
Foot fungus and irritation are two terrible experiences.
Fortunately, you can prevent both by wearing socks. They can keep your feet dry, relaxed, and fungus-free.
How to choose the right socks? You only need to focus on two parts:
- Size: The sock shouldn’t rub against the shoe and fit well there.
- Material: You may like cotton socks, which are flexible and breathable.
Make sure to wear socks whenever you put on this kind of footwear. You can feel the difference clearly when you practice without the socks.
Change your footwear frequently
Footwear degrades over time, no matter how good it is at the first stage and how carefully you maintain it.
If your shoes have worn out too much, switch to the new ones. Damaged shoes can’t protect your feet and give you the best experience.
Re-lace your shoes
The sneakers you buy are mostly laced. They may not fit your feet, and you can re-lace them then. Starting at the farthest eyelets, make a crisscross looping pattern across the top of the shoe with even pressure.
Know your feet
The arch of your foot may change the game. It often falls into three types: low, high, and neutral.
Determining the right type can help you opt for the right shoe and adjust them to your requirement.
You can check your foot shape by wetting it and stepping on a piece of paper.
If the footprint reveals the whole sole of your foot, your arch is low. You have a high arch if the print only shows a part of your sole.
Try on before buying.
The best tip to make sure that a shoe can fit your foot perfectly is trying it on and taking some steps. It should make you feel comfortable, relaxed, and confident.
Frequently Asked Questions
Gym enthusiasts have a lot of questions about footwear and their training sessions. Here are some of their frequently asked questions.
1. What kind of shoes should I wear for cardio?
You need a low-arch or minimalist-profiled training shoe with adequate support and stability. Such models are your go-to if you prefer to vary it up in the gym, from weight lifting to cardio equipment.
2. Can I use running shoes for exercise?
Yes, if your workout consists primarily of treadmill running.
They’ll provide the comfort and cushion you need to feel confident running. You can also do some mat exercises after that.
However, running sneakers are not the best choice if you do other exercises, such as HIIT or yoga.
These activities need a high level of flexibility, and fitness shoes can deal with it nicely.
3. Do I need gym shoes?
Yes. Some gym exercises are heavy-duty, requiring the proper footwear to support your training. If you go for the wrong ones, you will end up with injuries and less fun time.
Conclusion
The right fitness shoes should make you feel comfortable. Try to choose the ones that are lightweight, durable, supportive, and easy to wear for the best workout experience.
Hopefully, you will find this article helpful. For any further information, please feel free to ask. Thank you for reading!