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Posted: 2024-06-06T09:45:20Z | Updated: 2024-06-06T09:45:20Z Fitness Experts And Personal Trainers Reveal Best Sneakers For Working Out | HuffPost Life

Fitness Experts And Personal Trainers Reveal Best Sneakers For Working Out

Heres what the pros actually wear for everything from running to lifting.
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Nobull, Amazon, Hoka
Nobull sneakers , Under Armour shoes and Hokas .

Most personal trainers will tell you that you dont 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 its up to the wearer to decide whats 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 youll probably want something with cushion for running and something thats flat for weight training. Yet, if youre 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, Dont overcomplicate it! Pick a shoe that youll 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. Ive 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. 

HuffPost and its publishing partners may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Every item is independently selected by the HuffPost Shopping team. Prices and availability are subject to change. The experts consulted for this story do not necessarily endorse the products ahead unless otherwise noted.

1
Under Armour Charged sneakers
Personal trainer Phil Nicolaou also encourages shoppers to find a general supportive shoe to wear during different workouts. "I like Under Armour workout shoes which are usually called 'Charged,'" Nicolaou told HuffPost. "I've never worn different shoes for cardio versus weight days, just make sure they offer support and are comfortable."
2
Hoka Kawana sneaker
Personal trainer and plus-size model Sarah Taylor put us on to Hoka's Kawana hybrid shoe for something you can wear for in both strength building and cardio. It has less cushioning than some of Hoka's running shoes, giving you a little more flatness for weight training. If you want cushion, Taylor loves and recommends the Clifton 9 sneakers and Parker recommends the brand in general for running and gym shoes.
3
Reebok Nano sneakers
Gary Samson , head coach and owner of Philly Personal Fitness , recommends the Reebok Nano for "general fitness, lifting, cross-training, HIIT-style workouts, heavy lifts, short distance running and everything in between."
4
Nobull Outwork sneaker
Katie M. Feeley, coach at Power Plant Gym and board member of the Body Positive Fitness Alliance and Decolonizing Fitness founder Ilya Parker both recommend sneakers from Nobull, with Parker specifying they like the Outwork style. "It as a low sole and offers lots of stability," Parker told HuffPost "It provides solid traction for multidirectional movements and it is super durable."

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."



5
Xero "barefoot" shoes
If you're looking for a good "barefoot" sneaker, online fitness instructor Bianca Russo recommended seeking "brands that explicitly say their designs include a spacious toe box, so that your toes have the space to move and leverage their innate dexterity." Russo's favorite brand of barefoot-feeling shoes for working out and daily wear are from Xero.

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.)"
6
Altra shoes
Feeley and Russo also both like Altra shoes, with Feeley noting, "A shoe could be considered 'barefoot style' (due to the minimal drop) and still have a big squishy sole... Altra has this option." (FYI, the drop is the difference in height from your heel to your forefoot in a shoe.)
7
Brooks Ghost sneaker
"If you plan on running longer distances more than a couple of miles, its best to get a shoe with more cushion and support. I use the Brooks Ghost for distances like The Broad Street Run 10 Miler ," Samson told HuffPost.

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 .
8
Converse All Stars
Feeley, Nicolaou and Olivia Cadence Luxe , founder of the Ground Up Barbell Club, all recommended Converse All Stars for weight training and powerlifting. Feeley added: "For weight training, you want something that's flat and with a hard, stable sole. This helps maintain stability while lifting and facilitates power transfer (hard surfaces will allow for greater power transfer than squishy ones)."
9
Nike Metcon sneakers
Feeley and Taylor both like Nike Metcons for weight training. "For strength training, you usually want something with a little more stability and firmness so that you have a good planting while lifting," Taylor says. "I usually recommend a Nike Metcon."

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