Selecting Sports-Specific Gym Shoes

A new membership at the gym near you is one reason to get yourself a new pair of gym shoes. When it comes to gym shoes, however, getting one that suits your style and is comfortable to wear is not enough. Most importantly, you would want to get a pair that suits your goal and purpose, or the reason that you are in the gym in the first place.

For Strength Training and Cardio

Shoes you will need for strength training and cardio needs to have adequate amount of cushioning and support. Cardio workout routines involve moves that require you to jump a lot or move from side to side, which means you will need to have shoes that can absorb shock produced by those movements. Look for shoes that offers good stability for side-to-side and media lateral movements, in particular.

For Weightlifting

Investing in a pair of shoes designed for weightlifting is crucial. When you lift heavy weights, the concentration of the force is towards the ground, which means your feet need to be able to support the weight efficiently. Without the proper footwear, you won't be able to get the full benefits of your workout and you might even end up being injured. If you're going to use regular gym shoes like the ones you use for running, you won't be able to generate the force you need since the padding of the shoes will absorb much of the tension. What you need is a pair of shoes specially-designed for weightlifting so you will end up getting the full benefits of your workout and avoid injuries at the same time.

For the Treadmill

If you love working out on the treadmill, you may have to invest in a pair of running shoes. Cardio shoes may be okay for the treadmill, but they won't help you get the full benefits of the workout. What you would want to take note when selecting running shoes, however, is the type of your foot. If you are into running, you probably know already that there are running shoes designed for overpronation and underpronation.

The whole point of this subject is to make you realize that not all athletic shoes are the same. You can always wear basketball shoes in the gym regardless of what type of workout you always engage in, but if you want to get the most out of your training, you need to invest in a pair of sports-specific shoes. You may need to invest in more than one pair of gym shoes, but the money you spend for them will all be worth it in the long run.