If you’re an athlete or just someone who trains on a daily basis, you know that shoes are perhaps the most important fitness accessory of them all. You can train perfectly fine in a pair of old shorts and a high school t-shirt, and you won’t feel that much of a difference when you compare that to a Nike kit that costs hundreds of dollars. But if you train with the wrong kind of shoes, not only will your session feel much more difficult, but you’re also risking a potential injury.
Cross training, much like all other sports, has shoes that are specifically designed for it. They’re made so that you can lift and run without compromising your form and with enough support so that you feel okay while doing a jog. In this article, we’re going to talk about how to pick gym shoes as a football player – what details you should be focusing on so that you’re certain that you’re picking the best possible shoe that will make your sessions feel more comfortable.
If that’s the kind of advice you’re looking for, then let’s go ahead and get started.
What to Look for In Gym Shoes
Below, you will find the three key tips that you should always follow when you start browsing the stores for a new pair of gym shoes. Regardless of the year or the kinds of models that have appeared on the market, the information you find in this article will remain relevant, as we will only be discussing the basic, most vital aspects of gym shoes that truly need your attention.
Ensure They’re The Right Type
When you’re choosing shoes for the gym, you want to make sure you’re not buying regular running sneakers. There’s a massive difference between the kinds of shoes that suit running and the kinds made specifically for cross-training. Typically, running shoes are more cushioned, and they’re made to propel you forward (so their sole has a boat-like shape) – that design is perfect for when you need to move ahead as quickly as possible, but it’s terrible for lifting weights when you need to remain grounded on your feet. That’s why cross-training shoes are made to be flatter and to offer the needed support for squatting and deadlifting while having just enough cushion to enable you to get a quick jog if it’s needed.
A Good Fit
If your training shoe doesn’t fit properly, it’s just going to lead to pain, or it’s going to make it difficult for you to focus on your workout. As an athlete, you want to avoid both of those scenarios at all costs, and it’s pretty easy to do so – by trying your shoes before purchasing them. When it comes to getting the best possible fit, the size isn’t the only thing that matters – there’s also the width of the toe box and the cushioning of the insole. Depending on the shape of your feet, you will have to choose a shoe that best fits and is comfortable. And you can only do that by trying the ones available on the market.
Support
When you’re choosing a shoe for the gym, prioritizing support is important. Squatting, deadlifting, snatching, and basically all strength training exercises require you to have stable ground beneath your feet, and the more supported you feel by your shoes, the more comfortable you will feel during the workout. That’s why it’s better to invest in a more expensive pair of shoes by a well-known athletic company – like a pair from Nike than to save a few dollars and get something that’s not offering the needed support and can easily cause you discomfort.
In Conclusion
Hopefully, this article will help you find the perfect pair of gym sneakers.The main rule for picking gym shoes is to visit a good store with loads of options and to test different pairs until you’ve found the one that suits you best and that you like the most. If you get that covered, you will find your workouts to be much more comfortable, and you won’t risk injuring your feet, which are your number one “weapon” as a football player.
