Introduction
The one quintessential part of any gym duffle bag would be the gym shoe. There’s just something about the gym shoe that motivates a person to stop procrastinating and head to the gym to become a better version of themselves.
Gym shoes anchor your body by being the stable foundation upon which the joints, bones, and muscles link the whole chain from head to foot. Gym training is an intense full-body workout which means the foundation has to be the strongest for an injury-free experience.
Gym shoes absorb shocks during high-intensity workouts, keeping the posterior chain free from injuries. Wearing the right gym shoes for men will make the workouts safer, effective, and more comfortable.
Why Do You Need Gym Shoes For Men?
There are plenty of sports shoes in the market, but why do you specifically need gym shoes? Here are a few reasons why:
- The right gym shoe makes every workout more effective. With the perfect gym shoes for men, the target muscles are hit every time you lift that weight!
- With the correct gym shoes, every workout will be more enjoyable. Progression in training comes when the athlete enjoys what he does.
- Injuries are avoided with the right gym shoes as they stabilise the whole body while working out.
- With the right gym shoes for men, every workout will be much easier when the feet are more comfortable and stable while doing the session.
Types Of Gym Shoes
Gym shoes for HIIT
High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) involves multi lateral movements and explosive workouts, which impact the whole body. HIIT workouts need gym shoes that have the following features:
- Multi-lateral support for stabilising the foot
- Lightweight construction for agility and added responsiveness
- A low profile for stability
- A flexible forefront that allows flexion.
Gym shoes for weightlifting
Incorporating weightlifting helps bring superior strength and conditioning to the back, core and leg muscles. Weightlifting gym shoes for men feature a chunky heel for stabilising the body while lifting that heavyweight. Features to look for when buying gym shoes for weightlifting are:
- Chunky high-density heels allow better cushioning and mobility for a deep squat.
- A dense sole creates the perfect energy transmission from the core to the legs for an excellent lift.
- With cushioning provided in the midsole, you can hit the ideal clean, jerk and snatches in your weightlifting routine.
Gym shoes for treadmill running.
Indoor specific gym shoes are necessary for treadmill running. The running shoe will largely depend on the running gait and the pronation of the athlete. Pronation is the way the foot rolls inwards (supination) or outwards (overpronation) through a running stride.
If you are an overpronator, choose shoes with cushioning along the inside of the shoe for additional support. Pick shoes with a rubber outsole for traction on indoor surfaces.
Gym shoes for Zumba sessions
For dance-based workouts, a light responsive shoe is your choice. An agile, lightweight, responsive shoe helps make quick multi-directional movements easily without affecting the foot’s biomechanics. Gym shoes for men must have good shock absorption to cushion the impact from the ground.
Dance workouts generally use gym shoes with less chunky outsoles for quick movements throughout the session.
Features To Look While Picking Gym Shoes For Men
Get gym shoes for the specific types of training.
Running shoes and gym shoes for weightlifting have different properties, and using the identical shoe for both activities can lead to an injury. Avoid mixing different gym shoes as each shoe has been custom made for that specific activity.
Pick your correct gym shoe size.
The correct shoe size avoids blisters and injuries on the foot. The perfect shoe size helps keep the foot firm and lengthens the shoe’s life. Try the shoe during the middle of the day, as the feet tend to swell during the morning. Leave enough breathing space but ensure a snug fit for optimal performance
Gauge the feel of the gym shoe
How is the material running against the skin? Is optimal arch support provided in the shoe? How effective is the shoe for a pronating athlete? Try the shoe and walk on different surfaces to understand the gym shoe’s feel. A couple of points to check while trying the gym shoe on are:
- The sole of the gym shoe- The cushioning in the shoe depends on the type of activity you do. Does your main gym session involve lateral movement? Or are they steady state lifts? Pick the sole according to the cushioning required for better shock absorption.
- Ankle support- Is ankle mobility a hindrance while trying on the shoe? If your gym sessions require an active and agile workout like Zumba, ankle mobility is essential for hitting the right muscles.
- Breathability- Choose the shoe that feels the best while trying them on. Well ventilated shoes allow for longer durations of use and are more durable.
- Flexibility- How the shoe responds to flexion in the forefoot determines whether one can use it for agile activities like running on the treadmill or HIIT. Weightlifting does not necessarily require a flexible shoe.
- Tread- Check the texture on the bottom of the shoe and choose the thread based on how much traction you need on the indoor surface. For activities like weightlifting, good traction is required for the best power transfer.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which shoes cannot be used at the gym?
Avoid shoes with low or cushioning as they do not absorb the shock from the ground. Avoid slippers, flip-flops and slides to reduce the risk of an injury. Choose shoes with good heel cushioning for the best shock absorption.
2. What type of socks have to be used for the gym?
Use socks that are breathable and comfortable on the leg. The perfect socks support the feet in the right places while providing ample ventilation.
The Bottomline
Choosing gym shoes for men might seem like a daunting task, but at the core, it comes down to a few basic checks, and you have the perfect gym shoe for your training. So pack your duffle bag, pick that gym shoe and head out for your perfect gym session!
