Gym Shoe Recommendations 2022
We get this question asked a lot at IBX, so thought we should give our suggestions (especially with the holidays coming up)! A few guidelines to think about:
General Guidelines
- Know your size: make sure you get properly fitted for shoes. Keep in mind half sizes as well as Wide sizes
- Your size may vary per brand: some brands are smaller/larger than others. Keep this in mind as you search around
- Make sure you know the return policy: especially given the above, it's important to know how long you can try a shoe, as well as the condition you need to keep it in during the trial
- These are NOT running shoes: while you likely can do short (1 mile or less) distances in these, they are not designed for running, and we don't recommend anything more than short sprints or in-place HIIT movements
Top Pick: Nike Metcon
This is has been the gold standard gym shoe for a few reasons:
- Stability: these shoes are designed to stabilize you during workouts, especially when using heavy weights. Like most cross-training shoes, the relatively flat design helps keep you feeling sturdy during a workout
- Large Toe Box: The toe box (front part of the shoes) are wider, allowing more surface area for your toes to go to, furthering your stability
- Comfortable: They just feel light and comfy on your feet! Our CFO Bri loves these, and wears them to every IBX workout!
Another Great Option: NOBULL
A newcomer to the cross-training shoe world, NOBULL has taken the functional fitness world by storm with its variety of trainer shoes and styles.
- Stability: Like the Metcons, NOBULL shoes are flat by design, allowing you to really feel the ground and create stability
- Design Variety: unlike the Metcons, NOBULL shoes come in a wide variety of shapes and styles. whether you want high-tops with a glitch design, or a simple black low-top, NOBULL shoes feel like they can be worn to the gym, or out in daily life
- Comfort May Vary: we've had mixed results trying these shoes. Coach Ian loves working out in them, but Bri and Coach/GM Evee have had mixed results with various NOBULL shoes they've tried. Some work better for others, so you may need to try multiple brands
In General: Look For Cross-Training Shoes
Whether you go for Nike, NOBULL Reebok, or something else entirely, the main thing you're looking for are cross trainer shoes. These are shoes that are designed for gym workouts, specifically ones that focus on weights and strength training like IBX. Be patient with the process, and be prepared to try multiple kinds of shoes until you find the ones that work best for you!
Want to talk to an IBX staff member about shoes?
Shoot us a message, we'd love to hear from you!