Fitness and cross-training shoes

Why a running shoe isn't enough for the gym

A running shoe is designed to cushion thousands of steps in a straight line: its thick and soft sole, with a heel that's significantly higher than the front, compresses under a loaded bar and allows the foot to pivot during lateral movements. The training shoe does the opposite: with a lower, firmer, and wider sole, a small height difference between heel and toes keeps the feet flat during squats and deadlifts, and a reinforced upper on the sides holds the foot in place during lunges, burpees, and direction changes. The foot stays grounded and the power goes into the ground instead of getting lost in the foam.

By brand

Fitness shoes come in various brands:

• Nike.
• adidas.
• Reebok.
• Puma.
• Under Armour.
• New Balance.
• Hummel.
• Mizuno.
• Saucony.
• Joma.
• Columbia.
• Others.

Fitness also includes men's clothing, women's clothing, cross-training, weight training, cardio training, accessories, nutrition, on the fitness page.

Metcon, Dropset or Powerlift: cross-training and weightlifting

The Nike Metcon, launched in 2015 for cross-training sessions, set the standard for the genre: a firm and stable heel for lifting, a soft forefoot for jumping, and lateral support for rope climbs. The Free Metcon adds the flexible sole from the Free range, making it more comfortable for cardio, while the adidas Dropset, with its wide heel, focuses on stability under loads. The weightlifting shoe, like the adidas Powerlift, has an elevated and non-compressible heel: this allows for deeper squats with an upright torso and transfers all the push during snatches and clean and jerks. It is kept for heavy loads, never for running.

Group classes, cardio, and indoor sports

For group classes, step, HIIT, or cardio on machines, the shoe needs to be lightweight and pivot easily: the adidas Rapidmove, soft at the forefoot and secure at the heel, can keep up with jumps and quick movements. The Nike Air Max Alpha Trainer, with its air bubble in the heel, adds cushioning for sessions alternating between cardio and moderate loads. The indoor shoes Hummel Multiplay Flex, with a non-marking rubber sole, are suitable for gyms and indoor sports, available in adult and kid sizes. Their thin sole keeps the feet low and precise during lateral movements and sudden stops.

Good deals

Good deals can also be found in good offers, promotions, clearance, sales, Black Friday. The new arrivals showcase the latest collections, and items shipped within 24 hours are prepared and dispatched in 24 hours. The key events of the year follow a stable order: Black Friday in late autumn, the year-end holidays, the winter sales, the French Days in spring, then the summer sales and back to school.

Frequently asked questions

What fitness shoe should I start with for the gym?

A versatile training model, with a flat, firm, and grippy sole, covers weight training, cardio, and group classes. It's better to have good lateral support than thick cushioning, which can make it unstable under a load.

Do you need special shoes for HIIT?

HIIT involves jumps, short sprints, and floor exercises: it requires a lightweight shoe, soft at the forefoot for rebounds, with a stable heel and a upper that supports the foot on the sides. A cross-training or versatile training model works perfectly.

How do you choose the size for a training shoe?

Take your usual size, with a little space in front of the toes, since the foot swells during exercise. Try them on with your sports socks and do a few jumps: the heel should stay secure, without slipping, during lunges and landings.

Can you run with cross-training shoes?

For a few hundred meters during a circuit, yes: they are designed for that. For a run of several kilometers, their firm and minimally cushioned sole can strain the joints, so it's better to use a running shoe.

How long does a training shoe last?

It all depends on how often you wear them, but a smooth sole, a deformed upper, or a heel that is compressed on one side are signs that it's time to replace them. Keeping the pair for the gym only, without using them outside, significantly extends their lifespan.