Can any women recommend good gym shoes?

PurpleEpiphany
PurpleEpiphany Posts: 96
in Fitness and Exercise
I welcome opinions from guys too, but I know that often shoe needs are different based on physiology. Currently I have an okay pair of cross-trainers, but I think they're just not tough enough for the beating I've been putting them through. My husband and I go to the gym Monday through Friday, usually doing some weights before hitting the bikes and then the elliptical. That's where I'm running into trouble. With my current shoes (which are nearly brand new), my toes start to get tingly about 10 minutes in on the elliptical, which is obviously not good. I just think I'm not getting enough support from them.

So...good shoes for general workouts. Something that can take a beating, but isn't mega expensive. Suggestions?

Replies

  • AABru
    AABru Posts: 610 Member
    I wear Brooks. My feet are wide and they come in wide sizes and have a bigger toe box, but I'd suggest that you go to a sports store and try on a few different brands to see what fits you best. It took me 32 years to discover Brooks, and now I won't wear anything else.
  • wildcelticrose
    wildcelticrose Posts: 40 Member
    If your toes are tingly, the first thing I'd check is your lacing.

    Lacing shoes too tightly across the top cuts off circulation and causes toes to go numb.

    I used to do this to myself with my running shoes all the time.
  • PurpleEpiphany
    PurpleEpiphany Posts: 96
    Makes sense. I have a very high instep, so it's difficult to get the shoes comfy without having the lacing too tight there. Worth a shot, though.
  • desireofathena
    desireofathena Posts: 2 Member
    I welcome opinions from guys too, but I know that often shoe needs are different based on physiology. Currently I have an okay pair of cross-trainers, but I think they're just not tough enough for the beating I've been putting them through. My husband and I go to the gym Monday through Friday, usually doing some weights before hitting the bikes and then the elliptical. That's where I'm running into trouble. With my current shoes (which are nearly brand new), my toes start to get tingly about 10 minutes in on the elliptical, which is obviously not good. I just think I'm not getting enough support from them.

    So...good shoes for general workouts. Something that can take a beating, but isn't mega expensive. Suggestions?

    Nikes!
  • rainbowbow
    rainbowbow Posts: 7,490 Member
    I love my nike lunar glides. But sadly- i dont think its your shoes! You have your laces too tight! :)
  • PurpleEpiphany
    PurpleEpiphany Posts: 96
    You guys are probably right. I'm just enough of a dork for that to be the problem.
  • laurasimmons
    laurasimmons Posts: 575 Member
    I have soucony's and love them. They are running shoes.
  • hnsaunde
    hnsaunde Posts: 757 Member
    Try using an incline elliptical instead of a regular one. I found that helped my tingly toes immensely :)
  • ladyluch99
    ladyluch99 Posts: 264 Member
    I just purchased myself a pair of Ryka Transitions and I love them!!! Comfortable from the start -- no breaking in required. At least not for me.
  • WildFlower7
    WildFlower7 Posts: 714 Member
    My pink Reebok New Balance are my favorite! Stylish and comfortable. One can't go wrong there ;)
  • Abells
    Abells Posts: 756 Member
    I welcome opinions from guys too, but I know that often shoe needs are different based on physiology. Currently I have an okay pair of cross-trainers, but I think they're just not tough enough for the beating I've been putting them through. My husband and I go to the gym Monday through Friday, usually doing some weights before hitting the bikes and then the elliptical. That's where I'm running into trouble. With my current shoes (which are nearly brand new), my toes start to get tingly about 10 minutes in on the elliptical, which is obviously not good. I just think I'm not getting enough support from them.

    So...good shoes for general workouts. Something that can take a beating, but isn't mega expensive. Suggestions?

    A lot of people get tingly toes on the elliptical from the position that it has you running in - not your sneaks
    switch to the treadmill if you can or run outside and see how that goes

    HOnestly I wear two different shoes to lift and cardio. I love pumas to run in and I either wear no shoes to lift in or I wear chucks
  • jiddu17
    jiddu17 Posts: 187 Member
    I wear Brooks. My feet are wide and they come in wide sizes and have a bigger toe box, but I'd suggest that you go to a sports store and try on a few different brands to see what fits you best. It took me 32 years to discover Brooks, and now I won't wear anything else.

    Are you me? All of this ^^


    Even if it is your laces, you will one day, again, need good shoes.
  • zellagrrl
    zellagrrl Posts: 439
    Merrell's that have the Vibram sole. But you really need to try a lot of stuff on-- I've had great luck at REI testing out different shoes until I figure out what's good for me.
  • webarr2003
    webarr2003 Posts: 20
    Don't feel bad, I do the same thing too. When I read your post I thought oh wow thats why I'm getting a tangling in my feet from the new shoes I just bought. Mines are Nikes, their very comfortable since the last shoes I busted out in under three months from doing alot of walking. Has been happening to me often since I started working out. But I went to Shoe Carnival and the guy was very helpful with finding shoes that meet my workout and everyday needs. Also they are having a sale where it's buy one get another pair of shoes half off. Just to let you know, the guy told me you don't have to buy the other shoes at the present time they give you all the way to September to buy the second pair half off just as long as you have the recipt.
  • 120byfall
    120byfall Posts: 7
    I am 100% in LOVE with my Nike Pegasus 28s. No matter how sore I am, I can put them on and feel perfectly good enough to go run! :D
  • weepoorsoul
    weepoorsoul Posts: 2
    I suggest trading in your shoe laces for bungees. That is not the name but you should find them at a running supply retailer. I have the same problem with tingly feet on the eliptical. I prefer speed walking on a treadmill with the incline set high enough to make it challenging. If you choose to leave the eliptical you may want to have your feet and your gait looked at to determine if you need corrective inserts. It may or may not be worth the extra cost to you depending on how much time you are working out.
  • PurpleEpiphany
    PurpleEpiphany Posts: 96
    Well loosening the laces didn't help much. Toes took a bit longer to go tingly but they still did, and my knee was hurting...then again, I think I need better socks for more cushion. I may also try those bungee laces :) I still think I need new shoes, but that's just because I don't think mine were intended for the amount of wear I'm putting them through.
  • misskerouac
    misskerouac Posts: 2,242 Member
    I love my nike lunar glides. But sadly- i dont think its your shoes! You have your laces too tight! :)

    I have the Nike Livestrong Lunarswift ones and I love them.
  • kah68
    kah68 Posts: 1,515 Member
    A lot of people actually have problems with their feet tingling and toes going numb on ellipticals - it usually has to do with the way you are standing. Make sure your weight is evenly distributed and you aren't placing too much weight on the balls of your feet, also moving your toes periodically throughout your workout may help some.

    I wear Brooks Glycerin and love them!

    If you live in an area that has speciality stores for running/walking shoes, check it out - in Texas we have New Balance, Run On, and Luke's Locker. Those specialty stores ask all kinds of questions and watch you walk to determine what shoes will work best.
  • MostlyWater
    MostlyWater Posts: 4,294 Member
    Ryka is made for a woman's feet but I found it took about a month for the sides to get soft enough to wear them without pain. Puma is another good brand. As is Nike and Sketchers.

    I don't care for New Balance although some women swear by them. I think they're meant for a wider foot.

    Also - make sure you replace them often enough. If you're exercising several days a week, you can't go more than 2-4 months without getting new shoes. You can really hurt yourself if you don't.
  • 1SlimShaylee
    1SlimShaylee Posts: 204
    i love my nike footbed. i think they were $75.00 and are made out of memory foam. awesome for zumba, elliptical, lifting, etc :)
  • dad106
    dad106 Posts: 4,868 Member
    Nike Free Trainers(Not the running shoe.. all though I love those to!)
  • shonovo
    shonovo Posts: 104
    asics gel!!! i loooove mine!
  • gypsycoyote
    gypsycoyote Posts: 23
    It's weird, but the Shape Ups work wonders for me. I cannot wear them on the stationary bike (my feet go numb, not just the toes, so I take them off when I decide to pedal and my feet are much happier with me after that), but on the treadmill, elliptical, and for everyday outdoor movement the Shape Ups are amazing :D I also love my Converse for all around movement and working out, but I use those for hiking (they are Shoes for Crews in the Converse style, so they are super grippy and really amazing). :D
  • chiquita2828
    chiquita2828 Posts: 2 Member
    Try RYKA brand shoes! The are made for women with high arches! I have had many foot problems and just got out of surgery about a month ago... they are phenominal!
  • jaz050465
    jaz050465 Posts: 3,508 Member
    Everyone's different i find Nike most comfortable as I have a wide foot. You need to just go to a good shop and try them in. Paying more dkesnt necessarily mean you get a better shoe.
  • natpalit
    natpalit Posts: 113 Member
    I used to have the same problem before. My suggestions would be:

    1. Increase the resistance on the elliptical, and slow down, that way you can concentrate on spreading the pressure across your whole foot, not just the ball, which is why this happened to me. Increasing the resistance will make the workout just as tough, even though you're decreasing the speed.

    2. change over to the treadmill, although it might be daunting, it should resolve the problem, and running burns a lot more calories and works you harder than the elliptical.

    3. It sounds like you're working out very regularly. I would definitely recommend having two pairs of shoes, and alternating them. It will reduce how quickly they get worn out, it can take up to two days for a running shoe to get back to it's original shape, dependent on how hard you work out, and how heavy you are.... Plus you can mix up the colours, to add more variety to your cute workout outfits. ;)

    Hope this helps
  • PurpleEpiphany
    PurpleEpiphany Posts: 96
    That does help, thanks :) I have to be careful with the resistance on the elliptical, though, or I start to feel it in my knee. Still, I am trying to concentrate on being more upright and making sure my foot goes all the way flat. I tend to go up on the balls of my feet when I stop paying attention (dratted bellydancer training, lol) and I think that's half the problem.

    Treadmill is usually a no go because of the above knee issues, but I may try it again at some point. I think I need to lose some weight before I'm there, though. Takes a lot of pressure off the knees!

    As for the last...well, I'm not going to argue against more cute shoes :)
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,329 Member
    i'm pretty bad with cross trainers. i pretty much just use old running shoes that i cant use for running anymore. right now i'm alternating between some new balance shoes i used for training runs and puma shoes i used for races.

    as for the tingling toes thing, try lifting your feet up from the pedal a few times every few minutes or so
  • sjlockyer912
    sjlockyer912 Posts: 19
    My toes used to go numb until I laced my shoes differently: instead of crisscrossing laces from toe to ankle try: first loops for laces straight across then feed the lace on left side through the next hole on left l, feed the lace on right thru the next hole on right, repeat one more time on each side (will create a kind of U shape) then begin crisscrossing left to right as usual through last few holes (left over to right hole , right over to left hole).....by doing this you are able to keep your feet secure in your shoes, and prevent slipping and sliding but you take the pressure off of your toes and ball of your feet...I am so happy I learned this trick..,no more numb tingiling toes!

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