* To get the most out of your workout, you’ll need the proper footwear
* Every activity has a specific type of shoe that works best for it
* Don’t let your footwear slow down your performance
To get any job done the right way, you’ll need the proper tools. It is no different when it comes to training yourself for a sport or overall fitness. The right pair of shoes will help you accomplish your goals and do so in a safe manner. Wearing the wrong pair of shoes for a given activity could either slow down your production or cause serious injury. Can you imagine seeing someone trying to play basketball in track spikes? It would be catastrophic.
What follows is a list of the types of shoes that are most compatible with some of the more popular activities out there. Be ready to put your best foot forward when you start your next workout.
There are several variations of weight lifting shoes to accommodate to Olympic lifts, powerlifting and even different shoes dedicated to squats and deadlifts. The common trait between each of them is that they have flat bottoms. This helps with balance and reduces the amount of give the shoe has under heavy weight. The other slight differences between the styles of lifting include variations in the height of the heel and the thickness of the soles. However, most of us aren’t training to become Mr. Olympia, so an inexpensive flat bottom shoe made with thick material for longevity will do the job. My favorite shoes to lift in are the Van’s SK8-Hi MTE. They offer great ankle support, flat bottoms, durable material and are quite stylish.
Unlike a weight lifting shoe, you want your running shoes to have some curve to them so that they can support your arch. When you run your foot bends in ways you probably never thought was possible; both side to side and up and down. Your running shoes should be just as flexible as your foot. There are tons of options out there when it comes to running shoes and it can be a bit overwhelming when trying to find a pair that is right for your foot and your level of running. If you’re starting to train for a marathon, I’d suggest going to your nearest running store to have them scan your foot and observe your running stride so they can customize a shoe to your foot. For the more casual runner, I’d suggest the Nike Flex RN 2018.
Basketball shoes are characterized by their ankle support and overall stability. Faster players like point guards will need a lighter shoe with more flexibility, while the bigger players in the paint will need a heavier shoe with more support, sacrificing flexibility. Ankle support is probably the most important aspect of the basketball shoe. There is a lot of quick lateral and agility movements in basketball, not to mention the jumping. Without ankle support, it is very easy to roll your ankle performing these quick cuts and jumps. My suggestion is to find a high top shoe that fits your style of play. Aesthetics and durability are other factors that can be left to your discretion.
Crossfit is one of the most dynamic sports out there as it requires weight lifting, running, and some gymnastics. This puts a unique strain on the shoe you use when performing these activities. This specific strain is something that most major shoe retailers have never needed to confront until recently. Manufacturers started by finding the sweet spot in between the flexibility of the runners shoe and the hard flat soles of the weight lifting shoe. Then they reinforced the sides with strong stitching and material to support the shoe in lateral movements. Lastly, it had to be light weight. One of the best crossfit shoes on the market today is the Adidas Powerlift 3.1 Cross Trainer.
