best tennis shoes gym
Regardless of what they’re doing at the gym, most guys just work out in running shoes. Which, if you’re stuck late at the office and it’s all you have under your desk, is perfectly fine. But if you’re really serious about getting fit and staying injury-free, you probably want something a little more specific. So we asked five experts around the country to recommend the perfect shoe for your particular gym needs. Our expert: Kent Edwards, trainer at Crunch Gyms (New York) What to look for: You want a low-profile shoe, which will keep you lower to the ground and help prevent injury risks like ankle twists while you’re throwing around lead. “When you’re lifting, you don’t want that cushion because it doesn’t allow for your muscles to actually fire optimally,” Edwards says. “For example: When you’re doing a deadlift, minimal shoes allow for a more stable base and a closer contact to the ground, which means the heels and midfoot can drive into the floor, making the glutes and hamstrings work more efficiently.”
Your sport: Spin class Our expert: Kate Lemere, Nike master trainer (Chicago) What to look for:”The most important feature of a Spinning shoe is the sole,” Lemere says. “Choose a shoe that has a very stiff sole to transfer the power produced by your leg and glute muscles directly to the pedal. This maximizes output and minimizes the amount of effort you spend on any one pedal stroke. If the sole is too soft or cushiony, the shoe absorbs power and efficiency is compromised.” As for fit, “the heel should be snug and the toes should have wiggle room.” What to buy: Shimano R088 ($120). “I prefer an adjustable ratcheting buckle for the best fit. From previous injuries, I have weak ankles, and this type of buckle makes me feel the most stable and secure.” Your sport: Running on the treadmill Our expert: Jay Dicharry, director of REP Sports Performance Lab (Bend, Oregon) What to look for: It might seem absurd to get a different shoe for the treadmill.
I’m just running, you say. “Most treadmill decks have way too much cushioning in them already, so you don’t need any extra in your shoe,” Dicharry says. “Too much cushion in the treadmill coupled with a lot of cushion underfoot equals a vague feel. This vagueness in what you feel from the foot can hamper your body’s own strategy to stabilize itself quickly. While running, the foot is in contact with the ground for a quarter-second or less. If you can’t stabilize quickly, you’ll wobble around, and this creates a whole host of issues related to injury and economy.” Something thin, lightweight, and flexible. What to buy: Saucony Kinvara ($110). “It has a responsive feel that lets my foot work as it’s designed. It also breathes well, so you can build up quite a lot of heat in your feet (and whole body!) running inside.” Our expert: Dan McCarthy, owner of CrowHill CrossFit (Brooklyn) What to look for: “We want a shoe that has flat soles and that doesn’t have any cushioning,” McCarthy says. “
We need your foot to feel like it’s on the ground, not on a cloud or a marshmallow. We always want your foot to get stronger, and this will allow your foot to act most like a foot.” Ditto for arch support. “The arch of the foot is a tremendously strong structure, and supporting an arch from underneath is a fantastic way to weaken the structure significantly," McCarthy explains. “Oh, and you should try and steer clear of any kind of traditional running shoe.” What to buy: STR/KE MVMNT Interval 2 ($69). “I look for a light and flat shoe that lets me run, lift, and jump to the best of my ability. These are that: light and flat and well-made and affordable.” Your sport: A little of everything Our expert: Rob Sulaver, personal trainer at Bandana Training (New York) What to look for: All-purpose athletic shoes. “It’s as if a tennis shoe, a running shoe, and a lifting shoe had a baby,” Sulaver says. “Ideally, they’re flexible enough for body-weight exercises and climbing, comfortable enough for sprinting and mid-distance running, stable enough for lifting, and durable enough for everyday abuse.”
What to buy: Nike Metcon2 ($130). “The Nike Metcon 2 checks all the boxes: comfortable, durable, flexible—not to mention, they look fly.” Experts used to stress foot type and pronation when buying sneakers—comfort was secondary. But many now believe that the coziness of your kicks is directly related to having an optimal workout. With every pair in this slideshow, you'll feel like you're walking on air. This seamless (and seemingly weightless) sneak is the first running shoe produced in a clothing factory for a glove-like fit that helps you race faster through intervals or shave time off your 5-K. "Light and flexible" can often be code for "not much in between your foot and the pavement," but this updated best-seller packs just enough of a buffer to keep you bouncing from training runs to high-impact strength circuits. Made via 3-D printing technology, this debut's unique design understands exactly how your foot moves when you run. The protection and support of a traditional sneaker—with an awesome natural feel.
Forefoot lugs are toned down to give a smoother ride without sacrificing the shoe's signature spring-like bounce. This everyday trainer's strategic midfoot "fulcrum" creates more efficient forward momentum no matter how your foot hits the ground. Call it a new personal record: Fine-tuned tweaks make this perennial crowd-pleaser almost half an ounce lighter than its predecessor. This kick's super-responsive cushioning is far less affected by swings in temperature—so you always get the same pep in your step. For runners looking to float over the pavement, this newbie offers plenty of supersoft impact protection during high-mileage runs. This road-trail crossover piles on the cushioning, but its completely even sole and anatomical toe box place your foot in a natural position, for better speed and stability. Designed for urban environments, the unique outsole uses a combination of specialized rubbers for secure footing anywhere, from sidewalks and stairs to gravel paths and cobblestones.