Popular Sneakers for At Home Workouts
Just because you’re working out at home, it doesn’t mean that you can get careless with your footwear. In fact, wearing a quality pair of sneakers while training at home may be even more important than at the gym. You’re likely to have more obstacles in a home gym, the floor surface is probably not as high spec as in a commercial gym and, if you are training alone, you’re going to be in trouble if your footwear is subpar on a heavy lift. In this article, we reveal the 3 most popular sneakers for home workouts.
What to Look For in Home Workout Sneakers
When it comes to selecting a workout sneaker for your home gym, there are three key considerations:
- Grip
- Support
- Rigidity
When you are lifting heavy weight, it is vital that you are securely grounded to the floor. The last thing you want is for your feet to be slipping around when you are under the bar. Not only is that extremely dangerous but it will also dissipate your strength potential. That is why choosing a shoe with a secure grip is essential.
You need your shoe to be solidly locked in so that you feel comfortable and secure. Some shoes provide you with a traditional lacing system while others make use of a strapping system. The shoe ensures that there is no lateral movement of your foot inside of it as you are working out.
A great workout shoe will provide the right balance between rigidity for power moves like squats and deadlifts and flexibility when you are performing plyometric exercises such as box jumps. Some shoes will also provide you with an elevated heel for enhanced body positioning when doing squats. Heel to toe elevation could be anywhere from 1 to 3 inches.
The 3 Most Popular Sneakers
Converse Chuck Taylor All Star ‘70 Hi
Converse is an iconic brand that has been among the most popular athletic and workout sneakers for more than 50 years. Their high top All Star ‘70 Hi is massively popular among gym goers. It features a completely flat sole, which makes it ideal for such ground based moves as deadlifts and bent over rows. The thick sole of this shoe provides a very rigid, firm hold on the floor with absolutely no lateral movement.
There is none of the cushioning that you get with many competitors in the Converse Chuck Taylor All Star ‘70 Hi. That makes it seem as if you are training in bare feet, which is definitely a good thing. It allows you to get the best ergonomic alignment of your body to allow you to exert
the maximum amount of training force and intensity.
Adidas UltraBoost
The Adidas Ultraboost is the training shoe of choice for people who incorporate lots of plyometric work and running into their home workouts. This shoe features fantastic shock absorbency, with a sole that makes use of an advanced foam boost material. The 2020 version of the UltraBoost claims to deliver 20% more boost than previous versions. A floating torsion spring adds even more shock resistance while also delivering enhanced forward movement.
The upper of this shoe consists of a one piece woven sock made from a material known as ‘Primeknit 360.’ It is very breathable and comfortable wearing while also looking great. A Tailored Fiber Placement (TFP) in the upper of the shoe will lock in the midfoot to provide extra support. Heel lock is provided thanks to an innovative 3-D frame. It all adds up to an extremely comfortable shoe which also provides the support and flexibility you need when you are performing agility and running based workouts.
Reebok Men’s Lifter Weight Lift Shoe
Reebok are another iconic workout shoe brand, with this targeted weight lifting shoe providing a great example of their design excellence. It features a heat activated foot strap that will actually mold to your foot shape to ensure that you are maximally locked in on every exercise. This is further enhanced with a dual hook and loop system to keep you anchored.
The Reebok Men’s Lifter is more than a highly functional weight lifting shoe. It is also extremely comfortable. An anti friction lining combines with a mesh upper to allow for breathability and foot comfort. The flexed groove outsole delivers enhanced support. Something that we’ve noticed from user reviews is that this shoe does not require a breaking in period. From the first wearing it feels as if you’ve had them for years. That means that you can get a great workout from the very first workout.
Summary
When you’re working out at home, you need a pair of training sneakers that will keep you safe and secure without compromising your workout performance. The three brands we’ve reviewed here will deliver what you need without breaking your bank balance.