As a regular runner and TechRadar’s resident fitness and wellbeing editor, I’m in a privileged position to test many of the best running shoes available. From shoes designed for fast-paced 10km runs to shoes designed for marathon runners, we test the latest in exercise shoe technology.
A cushioned midsole, breathable sweat-wicking upper and reactive foam outsole help you return more energy. Other purpose-built workout shoes designed for CrossFit and HIIT workouts, or even all-rounders like the Lululemon Chargefeel, offer responsive foam cushioned soles that aid in explosive movements like burpees.
But a few times a week, I avoid all this flashy shoe tech and leave my highly engineered hooves at home. and go to the gym with them instead. It’s a great tailoring option.
When wearing running shoes, the soles of the feet are often protected by midsoles and outsoles composed of foams of varying densities. Sometimes they are accompanied by carbon or metal plates to help the shoe return to its original shape after flexing. Some are more springy than others, but unless you do barefoot style running, chances are your running shoes have a kind of squishy base with the heel thicker than the toe.
This is bad, especially if you’re lifting weights with compound moves like squats, deadlifts and bentover rows. has nothing to do with it other than giving it an unstable surface. Foam acts like a quagmire.When you lift heavy objects, you need a solid foundation. Squatting in soft running shoes is like trying to push a wheelbarrow over a trampoline.
For compound lifting, my trusty old van works well because it’s a thin, flat-soled shoe that provides a stable surface for heavy lifting. .
Strength Coach Logan Allports of Rebellion Strength (opens in new tab) The best shoes for lifting said, “It’s the thickness of the sole. Regular running shoes have too thick a sole for stability.”
If you’re not using specialized weightlifting shoes with stiff soles, “a low-profile shoe with a heel-to-toe height of 4mm or less is best. When in doubt, go as close to barefoot as possible.”
Allport is a weightlifting expert and licensed strength coach based in Cardiff, Wales. He has trained everyone from national powerhouses and athletes to busy moms.
With a drop of 0mm, the Vans are completely flat shoes with a grippy rubber sole. Converse All Stars and even most tennis style shoes fit the bill.
You don’t need the “perfect” shoes for stand-alone exercises like seated bicep curls and bench presses, but when performing compound moves like deadlifts and squats, you definitely need a solid surface.
The best part is that unless you plan to compete, you can get great lifting shoes for curving without having to spend a lot of money on specialized high-tech weightlifting shoes.
If you have old low-tech Vans or Converse shoes, that’s great, but you can get cheap rubber-soled tennis shoes at any shoe store. Anything that helps you work out without spending a lot of money is a triumph in our book.
Of course, if you run regularly, you’ll need decent running shoes to improve your performance and keep your joints well protected. Guides are a good place to start.
