Fitness Trainer George Bolzoni is here to weigh in on the hotly debated topic, which is, what shoes should you be working out in? The short answer is; it depends.
Different types of movement require different foot support. Running and walking, for instance, is a mostly lateral movement, so you’ll want shoes that give you arch support and flexibility in the toe box for the repetitive landing and lifting motion. Also, you’re going to want to go to a running specific store if you need special arch support. If you’re a beginner runner, this is essential to preventing any unnecessary pain as you get used to running longer and longer distances.
For weightlifting workouts, you should look for sneakers that are flatter. Why, you ask? While it might seem counterintuitive, flat-platform sneakers allow you to ground into heavy weight lifting motions that could hurt your feet with too much support. For your average workouter, this isn’t much of an issue, but if you’re deadlifting heavy weights, you can seriously hurt your feet with improper footwear.
Now for cross-training and conditioning workouts, you might find yourself moving in different planes of motion quite rapidly. These kinds of workouts require sneakers with broader traction to help stabilize your quick, side-to-side movements
Of course, at the end of the day your shoe choice should really be about your comfort and preference. Sure, a good shoe might need to be worn a few times to fully break-in, but you shouldn’t force yourself to wear an uncomfortable shoe just because the internet told you to. For more fitness tips and advice, follow George Bolzoni on social media.