Yes! Equating today’s hurt to tomorrow’s strength is logically correct. But, that doesn’t mean one should have room for unnecessary pain. Whether you are someone planning to burn that extra weight or someone striving to get into your dream shape, workout shoes are something that’ll be falling in your checklist. While having these shoes is an absolute necessity; choosing the right ones is also a crucial factor. The correct set of choices here can not only increase your performance but can also save you from something as mild as sprains to something as serious as catastrophic knee injuries. It is, therefore necessary, for you to understand the purpose and to gauge that with the factors available.
And we are here for just the same! We have prepared a comprehensive study of a range of training shoes, exercise shoes, sports shoes, gym shoes, and sneakers to filter and present to you the best gym shoes for men. Hence, stay with us as we dive in to dig a list of the best workout shoes for men and make your buy— the best one.
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Types Of Gym Shoes
A crucial step in choosing the correct shoe is understanding your takeaways from it. Whether your workout consists of forward motion, with little impact, or running or even high impact intervals— there’s a shoe for everything. Join us as we discuss in detail the types of gym shoes available to match your needs.
Running Shoes
These are designed with plenty of cushioning to absorb and disperse shocks upon your landing. This principle shields your foot and heel from any abrupt impact forces, while also facilitating your forward motion. Buying the correct pair of running shoes would not only enhance your experience of HIIT exercises but will also make it damage-proof. And by damage-proof, what we mean is a complete protection pack from stress fractures to shin splints and everything in between.
On top of that, running shoes are specifically designed to improve the stability factor of your workouts. Some running shoes also have a unique material design for the proper regulation of air and increasing motion control. That is, these are designed to make your workout sessions—a truly excellent experience.
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Walking Shoes
Contrary to running, walking is a low-impact action and therefore does not involve the need for an extra cushioning material. These shoes have a characteristic arch and are known to provide excellent shock absorption and a smooth tread. Metaphorically, these shoes are a poet’s description of a setting sun, while, a flock of birds gently hover over your head. In addition, walking shoes are proven helpers in conditions of arthritis or any other pain in the foot. A thank you gift to your feet, these shoes can be an ideal pair for hitting the gym.
Cross-training Shoes
In 2017 a study published in the European Journal of Applied Physiology talked about a phenomenal increase in the efficiency of runners after introducing them to cross-training techniques. If you are considering diversifying your routine, then these shoes are a must-have for you. Cross-training shoes are designed to enable you to switch between sports, without bothering to change shoes. These shoes can withstand a substantial amount of stress and can protect you from severe injuries. However, if you are an ardent runner who runs more than 8 kilometres a day, then you may wish to choose alternatives such as Running shoes. Otherwise, these shoes, with their characteristic combination of mesh materials, can be your take-me-anywhere partner.
Weightlifting Shoes
‘Can wearing some specific pair of shoes increase my weightlifting ability?’ Well, it certainly can. Weightlifting requires shoes that can help you to use all the force of your body in lifting. The more power your body produces, the more is your weightlifting ability. And these shows are developed for just the same. Weightlifting shoes, in contrast to running shoes, aren’t shock absorbers, but rather generators, if you may call them so. These shoes have a raised heel, that increases the stability around your feet, thus, allowing you to squat to a deeper position. To conclude, these shoes can be your one-buy solution to get those extra points in weightlifting, which you were always perplexed about.
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Review – Best Gym Shoes
Reebok Men's Lifter Plus 2.0 training shoes
The favourite among the CrossFit community, Reebok Men’s Lifter Plus 2.0, brings comfort with performance. Designed with Flexweave technology, these are light-weight shoes with high degrees of flexibility. Which means you can carry your dynamic moves with ease. Reebok Men’s Lifter Plus 2.0 has a specific outsole design with MetaSplit grooves, designed to give you better traction and grip. Besides, these shoes are engineered with a wide toe box and enough toe spread that allows your feet to breathe and helps you maintain balance. Summing up, Reebok’s Nano 9 is indeed one of the best workout shoes under 10,000— a perfect balance of mobility, flexibility, and comfort.
Nike Mens Air Zoom Pegasus Running shoes
Nike Mens Air Zoom Pegasus, as the company says, is the ‘language of fast’. The less bulk and sculpted profile of this shoe are characteristics every runner would wish for. Nike Mens Air Zoom Pegasus has two air units that increase the responsiveness of your forefoot and heel and also give them much-needed stability. In addition, the partial bootie will wrap your foot, giving you a snugly fit. These shoes come with a lightweight Cushlon foam—delivering cushioning with a sense of supportiveness. That is, Nike Mens Air Zoom Pegasus has everything a runner would look for in a shoe. And that makes Nike Mens Air Zoom Pegasus one of the best gym shoes under 10000 with a deserving place in our list.
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Nike Legend Trainer
Nike Legend Trainer is probably the closest you can get to a balance between running shoes and weightlifting shoes. Re-engineered with a TPU mesh upper and a bootie structure, this shoe ensures proper airflow around the foot, while also providing enough support to the ankle. Thus, powering you with excellent mobility during your sprint and cross-training. The material design of Nike Legend Trainer is such that it gives more flexibility than other Metcon shoes, and is even lighter than its closest competitor—Reebok Crossfit Nano 9. That being said, Nike Legend Trainer enjoys the supremacy of being one of the best workout shoes under 8000 and reserves a spot in this coveted list.
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Nike Varsity Compete TR 2
‘One of the best all-rounders money can buy’ is how Nike Varsity Compete is often described among consumers. Pressure-resistance, plenty of grip, supportive sole, and all that at a reasonable price makes this shoe one of the best workout shoes for men under 4000. The sole features a rubber stud pattern that gives a very firm grip even on smooth surfaces. On top of that, Nike Varsity Compete TR 2 has a wider-than-average flat sole, which offers a stable platform for you to push weights. Although the cushioning seems to be poor, this shoe can still be an excellent running shoe for short distances. If you are looking for middleweight lifting and explosive workouts, Nike Varsity Compete TR 2 can be a right choice and a supersaver for money.
Puma Mens Pure Xt Fresh Training Shoe
Puma Mens Pure Xt Fresh Training is the perfect shoe for your HIIT workouts. Puma Jaab XT is a hybrid product, a combination of two of Puma’s best technologies, Ignite and Nirgy. This combination gifts the stability of the heel cage, along with the power of its superior cushioning. The ProFoam material gives this shoe its lightweight feature, and the EVA midsole provides responsiveness to multidirectional motion. In addition, Puma Mens Pure Xt Fresh Training Shoe, with its flat heel, is also great for weightlifting. And that makes Puma Mens Pure Xt Fresh Training Shoe one of the best gym shoes under 4000.
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New Balance fresh foam ROAV
The name New Balance Fresh Foam ROAV goes almost synonymous with comfort and style. This shoe is designed for running and bodyweight exercises and can give you a cloud-like ride with its extra cushioning. The shoe features an upper bootie construction giving its user a snug feel. Additionally, New Balance Free Foam ROAV, as the name suggests, is a perfect balance of comfort and performance with its smart outsole and stretch webbing. If you are someone looking for an everyday workout shoe for your training, this is one of the best shoes under 3000. As a bottom line, the otherwise excellent cushioning can sometimes lead to ankle rolling if not used carefully, so take that as a caution as you enjoy the wide range of benefits this product has for your service.
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Reebok Mens Chase Shoes
No list of best workout shoes can ever exist without mentioning this budget-friendly masterpiece from Reebok. Reebok Mens Chase comes with Micro web mesh and neoprene, making it more reliable and supportive than standard mesh fabrics. Engineered with high-quality materials, Reebok Mens Chase is one great match you can get between comfort, durability, and price. The high abrasion rubber outsole and carbon rubber pods give this shoe a firm grip with surfaces. Several deep groves characterise the tread patterns, the only downfall being its higher-than-average stiffness. Overall, high responsiveness, with a substantial amount of shock absorption, makes this one great deal you can get for cross-trainings. And therefore, Reebok Mens Chase finds a feature in our list of best workout shoes in India.
ASE Mat Shoes for Men
The next shoe making its presence in our coveted list of the best workout shoes in India is ASE Mat Shoes for Men. The shoe provides excellent flexibility for carrying explosive exercises. The lace-up characteristic of ASE Mat Shoes provides excellent stability—an important feature to desire for during weightlifting. The raised heel feature of this shoe can allow you to go deeper, while still retaining an upright posture during squats. Therefore, ASE Mat Shoes for Men, with its unmatched features corresponding to its price, is indeed the best workout shoe under 1000 that you can count upon.
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Buying Guide – Gym Shoes
Now that we have categorised the types of workout shoes, and have walked through the best ones in the market, it is time to straighten the loops of buying one. You may have already found your type and may have also shortlisted some brands based on our discussions above. And so, without any further ado, let’s discuss some defined factors that we must look for, to gauge the options and choose what suits best to our expectations.
Size
Find your fit! Size sounds like the most apparent factor one would look for, and yet people often end up buying misfits. As a convention, we often tend to buy shoes of a size up from our feet size. Although this practice may be helpful while buying running shoes, but with weightlifting and cross-fits, this can be a bane. Workout shoes need to fit snugly, ensuring proper mobility during unilateral moves. Unnecessary spaces between your toe and the end of your shoe can make it harder for your body to maintain its balance. Therefore, make sure to go through the online size charts and choose what is closest to your feet size, for the closer it is, the safer you’ll be.
Weight
Often in the hunt for cushioning and stability features, we tend to ignore another important aspect of workout shoes—weight. Workout shoes are also expected to be comfortable, in addition to being efficient. Bulky shoes can hamper your workout sessions and can even cause pain when used over a long period. Hence, make sure to add this to your checklist, or it may invite unnecessary troubles.
Grip
Grip is to shoes what virtues are to life—they both give a position and stand. On top of that, it’s a necessity. As a trainee, you’ll be doing a variety of activities which will involve a range of motions. Therefore, you must pick the right set of workout shoes, one that will give you the right traction. Look for this factor when you shortlist your choices and make your sessions fall-proof.
Durability
If someone says, the degree of wear and tear in your shoes are stories screaming your valour, sue him! An ideal workout shoe should be wear-resistant to a substantial degree. And this resistance comes from the use of the right quality materials and exclusive networking structures and meshes in the design of the shoe. So, the next time you buy a shoe, make sure it is durable. After all, a shoe that retains its shape even after a long period of usage is the least you can expect in your zest for a dream shape.
Breathability
Allow your feet to breathe! Workout sessions can result in sweaty and smelly feet. And that isn’t something you would appreciate after a long, tedious gym day. Therefore, while choosing a pair, look for shoes that are made with materials that allow proper ventilation and gives your feet a room to breathe. For, sweaty and hot feet aren’t something you would want to deal with, in the quest, which is your workout.
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Gym Shoes FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
How tight should a gym shoe fit?
Ideally, a gym shoe should be a snug fit in the mid-foot and heel, with some space around the toes. Hence, try pressing around the toe and the corners of your feet. Anything between a full to half thumb’s width space is appreciable.
Can we use non-marking shoes for gym?
Yes. Non-marking shoes are shoes with soles that do not scuff the floor. Although it can be used for the gym, but it is designed to be more suitable for sports such as badminton, tennis, etc.
Are training shoes suitable for the gym?
Yes. Training shoes are versatile; they support a wide range of movements and, therefore, can be used for any gym activity.
Which type of shoes is best for the gym?
The jurisdiction is relative. For most of the gym activities running and cross-training shoes can be the best choice. Whereas, for weightlifting and powerlifting, one is more likely to go for weightlifting shoes.
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When to replace gym shoes?
Generically, workout shoes should be replaced every three to six months, depending on your usage.
Why do my gym shoes squeak?
Entrapment of moisture between the shoes is the reason for those annoying squeaky behaviour of your shoes. In that case, sprinkle some talcum powder under the sole it can absorb the moisture and will resolve the issue.
How to wash gym shoes?
Gym shoes can be washed in a washing machine (washer), or manually depending on their material. Take out the insoles, the night before you clean the shoes and put them in a baking powder solution. If your shoe is machine washable, you can use a washer with a liquid detergent and cold water.
How to wash gym shoes in washer?
Put your shoes in the washer with other linens to make the washer’s environment more shoe-friendly. You must use a liquid detergent, for a powdered detergent may stick to the inside of your shoes, causing you more trouble. Subsequently, choose the gentle cycle and make sure to use cold water. Finally, remove your shoes and put them for drying immediately after the wash cycle ends.
How to stretch gym shoes?
Gym shoes can be stretched by either keeping ice bags inside them for a night or by using a hairdryer for around 30 seconds.
How to keep gym shoes from smelling?
Make it a practice to remove your shoes as soon as your workout gets over. Additionally, you can also use baking powder or other sweat-and-smell-reducing products to get rid of that awful smell.
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Conclusion
Summing things up, Reebok Mens Chase , with its high-quality material, performance, and value for money, is the best workout shoe in India. Besides, you can vouch for any of the shoes from our Top 8 Men’s Gym Shoes for Workout list, for they cover the best from the rest. Stay updated with us as we cover more such reviews, and let us know your views in the comments section below.
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