Selecting Fitness Trainers: Essential Criteria and Model Evaluation

• Selection Criteria
• General Recommendations
• According to Sport
• Gender Specifics
• Top Rated

In Russia, when hearing the word “fitness”, people tend to think of aerobics, which is popular among women. However, fitness is a much broader concept and includes any physical activity performed in a specially equipped gym. And in order to make physical activity the most effective (burn maximum calories and be non-traumatic), it is necessary to choose the right shoes for your workout.

It has been proven that shoes that are used for morning jogging are not suitable for fitness, as they are too heavy. And even the great sneakers that you usually wear with jeans are also not an option. But how to choose fitness shoes so that they are both comfortable and functional? As it turns out, this is a piece of art.

Selection Criteria

When you go to a sports store to make your desired purchase, you need to clearly understand what you are looking for. What are the selection criteria for finding the right fitness shoes? They should have the following characteristics.

• Foot Fixation

In fitness classes, you have to move a lot. When actively moving your feet, you should feel as comfortable as possible and not be afraid of getting injured. That’s why comfortable sneakers are those that will fix your foot correctly. They should be higher than street models and have a solid back. Only then can they properly support the ankle and minimize the risk of any injury in the gym – a sprain or dislocation.

• Laces

Continuing the topic of foot fixation, favor models with laces, as they are considered the most reliable in this regard. Velcro and other types of fasteners can cause a lot of discomfort. Flat laces can keep the knot better. Make sure that they do not overtighten your feet – this will interfere with blood circulation.

• Ventilation

The foot should breathe in fitness shoes, so pay attention to whether it will have access to air during your workout. For example, many brands offer shoes with circular foot ventilation – this is an expensive but ideal option. The material of the shoe is of great importance in this matter: it should be natural and not create a vacuum. It can be leather, Gore-Tex (an innovative development of recent years), or synthetic mesh.

• Cushioning

The cushioning system of the shoes reduces the load on the feet and minimizes the risk of injury. These can be micropores, air cushions, or a midsole. Be extremely careful with the latter option. It is made either of polyurethane or of ethylene vinyl acetate. The first is characterized by durability, but for fitness in the gym it is too heavy. The second, on the contrary, is too light and short-lived. You need to work out in such sneakers carefully.

• Outsole

The outsole should be durable and multi-layered, made of different materials. This design increases wear resistance. The toe area is bordered by a welt for comfortable rotational movements. Try to bend the outsole of your favorite model: you should do it easily, and when you return it to its original state, there should be no dents or cracks on it.

• Insoles

The insoles should be removable so that you can replace them with another pair while they are being washed and dried. They should completely match the shape of your foot. In the center there is a thickening that supports the arch of the foot. Make sure that there is no fabric or cardboard substrate under the insole – it accumulates moisture and causes sweating. Instead, there should be even seams to ensure comfortable workouts.

Knowing in advance which fitness shoes to choose, you will feel more confident in the store among the wide range of models offered. According to these criteria, you can immediately weed out unsuitable options, and evaluate the remaining ones from the point of view of your physical characteristics (size, foot structure) and individual preferences (color, brand, style).

Gore-Tex. Recently, more and more often Gore-Tex is used in the production of sneakers – two or three-layer: made of external and internal fabric, and between them, as a lining – a Teflon membrane. Its main quality is wear resistance.

General Recommendations

In addition to the selection criteria, several more important recommendations should be taken into account.

1. If you have flat feet, it is better to practice in sneakers with a supinator and orthopedic insoles.
2. For overweight problems, get shoes with maximum cushioning.
3. Before going to the store, find the corresponding rating of the best and most comfortable fitness shoes. Choose a couple of positions for yourself, study the reviews, find out about the distinctive features. This will help you get a clearer idea of your future purchase.
4. It is recommended to buy shoes in the evening when your feet are slightly swollen.
5. When trying on, the shoes should fit in size – do not rub, do not press, do not dangle.
6. Ideally, for fitness in the gym you need to purchase 2-3 pairs at once. They need to be changed depending on the actions performed directly during training. For example, it is advisable to work out weightlifting exercises in weightlifting shoes, WOD (“Workout of the Day”) – in shoes for cross-training.

Micropores. This is a rubber from which outsoles are made for many models of sneakers. It is good because it is very elastic.

According to Sport

In addition to general tips and recommendations, you can always delve deeper into the essence of the issue. There is an opinion that different models are needed for fitness of a certain direction. Indeed, the one in which it will be convenient to jump rope will not be entirely successful for CrossFit or squats in the simulator. Therefore, if you want to get the maximum benefit from your workouts and not get injured, consider this.

For a treadmill:

• outsole made of micropores – one-piece and bending well;
• gel inserts in the sole are possible;
• supinator is required;
• tread protectors are shallow;
• with excessive weight and flat feet, a stabilizer is needed – a rigid insert on the outer sole, which correctly distributes body weight;
• upper – mesh, which allows air to pass through well;
• minimum of seams (they only rub calluses);
• lightness (up to 350 gr).

Article on the topic: “How to choose shoes for a treadmill”.

For strength exercises:

• corrugated outsole made of micropores, preventing slipping and providing a clear fixation of the foot on the floor;
• heel width on the outsole is greater than the toe width for maximum stability;
• the frame in the heel area is strong and rigid;
• lacing – tight, with a snug fit to the foot;
• back of the outsole – with a slight rise for better cushioning;
• maximum outsole density correctly distributes the load on the musculoskeletal system.

Recommended types:

• weightlifting shoes – Adidas AdiPower with a polymer outsole, heavy Nike Romaleos or flexible Inov-8 Fastlift 335;
• minimalist – with Vibram Five Fingers toe-split socks, narrow Nike Free Hyperfeel, wide Altra Samson;
• sneakers.

For cardio fitness, aerobics:

• outsole – thin;
• clear separation into toe and heel
  
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