Is your big toe finally poking through your trusted Nikes trainers? Or maybe they’ve changed to a completely different colour from all that wear? Either way, if you’ve come to the realisation that it’s finally time to update your gym trainers, we’re here to help.
Whether you’re still going strong with your love of HIIT, or you are looking to find a new sporting hobby this autumn, choosing the right shoes for your workout can really make or break your training session. For example, running shoes are often made with cushier foam that keep feet farther from the floor, taking away stability, so they’re quite different to the options out there for more strength-based training.
What should I look for in a gym trainer?
When shopping for the best gym trainers, the two most important factors are support and comfort. Take into account any injuries you’ve had, and your feet type (overpronation/ flat feet etc), as well as how you’ll be using them the most (how you move in your workouts).
There are plenty of places to shop for the best gym trainers, and to suit every sporting activity and workout in the gym, studio or your home gym, so we have sorted through to find the best gym trainers for your next workout – for every workout style.
Our pick of the best gym trainers
Best Trainers For The Treadmill
Adidas Supernova Stride
Designed to equip runners with the comfort, support, and fit for their everyday runs, these kicks are ideal for transitioning from treadmill to floor workouts. Adidas’ Dreamstrike+ super foam is in the forefoot for a supportive push-off and maximum comfort, alongside a super supportive midsole and rubber outsole for optimal traction.
Best Trainers For Everyday Training
ASICS Gel-Kayano 30
Known as Asics’ best stability shoe, the Gel-Kayano 30 design is the perfect all-rounder. Helping to steady your stride, the updated style has a wider base and more cushioning. Also, some eco insights for you: the shoe’s foam is bio-based, and the mesh upper is made from 100% recycled polyester – which just makes us love ’em even more. Ideal for everyday training.
Best Gym-to-Out Trainers
Veja Condor 3
If you haven’t heard of eco trainer brand Veja, where have you been?! Much to our delight, Veja’s third performance shoe, the Condor 3, is even lighter and more sustainable than the first. A full-length L-FOAM cushion covers the outsole of the shoe for a high shock absorption capacity, while great cushioning and lighter features mean you can go for a gym workout and run home with no issues.
Best Trainers For Comfort
lululemon Chargefeel 2 Low Women’s Workout Shoe
lululemon’s running and training shoes have been a fave ever since the brand started releasing footwear. Their latest offering is the new and improved Chargefeel 2 workout shoe, that’s been specifically designed with women’s feet in mind. It has increased heel support, evolved breathable upper and dual-foam cushioning for extra comfort when compared to the ‘run-to-train’ original.
Best Trainers For Weight Training
Nike Free Metcon 5
First thing, these are incredibly cool to look at. More importantly, they are the perfect trainer for weight training and HIIT classes such as F45. Why? Because they are lightweight, they have a comfy sock-like feel, and the design is sturdy with a wide, flat heel to stabilise you as well as a supportive moulded heel clip.
Best Trainers For HIIT Classes
Reebok HIIT TR 3 Shoes
Designed to support the varied movements of high-intensity interval training, these Reeboks have an upper that mixes stretchy mesh with non-stretch mesh for lateral support. The heel clip adds extra stability and support, especially when weightlifting, while the sole has sufficient non-slip grip. While not exactly the newest kids on the block, there are a must for HITT.
Best Multifunctional Gym Trainers
Adidas Amplimove Trainer
Adidas’s Amplimove gym trainers are ideal for all sporting activities, as they feature a mesh upper and TPU layer to protect and support your toes and the sides of your feet. Plus, a sculpted midsole and multidirectional outsole combine to provide sturdy support to keep you stable when practicing multidirectional movements.
Best Trainer For Explosive Moments
lululemon Strongfeel Women’s Training Shoe
Another pair from lululemon’s trusty footwear arsenal: the Strongfeel training shoe. As with the brand’s Chargefeel 2s, they’ve been designed specifically for women’s feet to create the perfect fit. Lightweight yet supportive with a stable base, they’re ideal for HIIT, lifting, and hybrid classes. Plus, there are a bunch of really cool colour options.
Best Trainer For Road Running
HOKA Cielo Unisex
If you want shoes that help you get to, and dominate, the finish line, then these are your pick. Designed for podium-standers and front-pack finishers, the new Cielo is ultra lightweight, breathable with a mesh upper, highly responsive with PEBA foam, and boasts a built-in “chassis system” for ultimate foot lockdown. But hurry, they’re flying (running?) out the door.
Best Trainer For Mixed Training
ON Running Cloud X 3
Made for every squat, lunge, interval and burpee – however you move, the improved fit, star lacing and 3-layer mesh make for a super supportive shoe. So, if hitting up HIIT training and then clocking up some intervals of your own on the treadmill is your idea of a good time, you can rest assured that your feet are in safe… shoes.
Best Trainer For Low-Intensity Workouts
Allbirds Women’s Tree Dasher 2
The Tree Dasher 2 is the next evolution of Allbirds everyday active shoe with more responsive foam, extra grip, and an improved fit to keep you moving. They’re great for light workouts, and are super lightweight and breathable, thanks to the eucalyptus fibre, which is also thermoregulating.
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