THE 11 BEST GYM SHOES YOU CAN BUY

When it comes down to it, so to speak, shoes can make or break your gym-going experience. And no matter your fitness goals, this list has an option for you. While it can be tempting to use the same pair of sneakers for all your walking, running, jogging and gym-going, it’s ideal to have a pair of shoes that you use just for the gym. Beyond extending the life of your running shoes, swapping out that pair for a gym pair does a lot for your workouts. Shoes designed for that purpose are closer to the ground, lending more support to your muscles and joints, giving you better stability during unilateral (one-sided) moves and providing a reliable platform for lifting heavy weights.

When purchasing true running shoes, people often leave space in the toe box for toe splay. It makes sense and can improve your running form and performance. But with weightlifting and mixed-use gym shoes, it’s best to avoid unnecessary space in the toe box. You want the sneaker to snugly fit so that there’s support for your feet during unilateral moves. The more space between your toe and the end of the sneaker, the harder your body has to work to balance, which is unnecessary. Go with an exact fit.