Shoes for lifting - no nonsense advice sought
stumblinthrulife
Posts: 2,558 Member
Thus far I've just worn my running shoes for lifting, since I've been doing isolation exercises on a machine, it seemed to make little or no difference. But now I'm moving to free weights, I can see how the extra cushioning would be counter productive, and could even result in injury.
So, where should I start? I'm not averse to spending $200 if necessary, but I don't like to drop serious cash until I know I really need something. Would a pair of Chuck Taylor's do just as well for a beginner? Are there any specific issues to watch out for that may indicate that I need something more specialized?
I know there's a lot of info on this out there already, but I'm coming to trust you guys as a source of no-nonsense advice, so it'd be nice to hear from you.
So, where should I start? I'm not averse to spending $200 if necessary, but I don't like to drop serious cash until I know I really need something. Would a pair of Chuck Taylor's do just as well for a beginner? Are there any specific issues to watch out for that may indicate that I need something more specialized?
I know there's a lot of info on this out there already, but I'm coming to trust you guys as a source of no-nonsense advice, so it'd be nice to hear from you.
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Replies
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I got Rogue Do-Wins. Before that, I used Chucks. I like Rogues a lot better--I get absolutely no lateral wobble, and it is easier to hit the right knee position in them.0
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I love my Inov-8 Lite 195's. I need more cushion for running but these are great for everything else.
http://www.amazon.com/Inov-8-F-Lite-Lightweight-Racing-Shoe/dp/B003TSEMI6
I bought my last pair from 6pm.com at a pretty discounted price but you can find them at any running store.0 -
What lifts are you doing?0
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The point of lifting shoes is that they should have little/flat soles.
Converse all-star or generic versions thereof are pretty good.
The nice thing about lifting shoes is that they are/should be cheap - if you are lifting at home barefoot is just as good....0 -
The point of lifting shoes is that they should have little/flat soles.
Converse all-star or generic versions thereof are pretty good.
The nice thing about lifting shoes is that they are/should be cheap - if you are lifting at home barefoot is just as good....
You'll find that shoes that are actually designed for lifting have heels, actually. Rogues come with different heights of heels--I went with the 3/4".0 -
Perhaps I should clarify what I'm looking for.
I want an all round shoe that will serve me well as a beginner across a full body workout (allpro routine).
It should not significantly hamper any gains I can make in the next twelve months.
It should lower my risk of injury compared to just using my running shoes.
Socks/barefoot are not an option.
What I'm not looking for -
A shoe to try to eke out 0.5% additional performance. I'll think about that should I ever start to approach my genetic potential.
A high end shoe for its own sake.
From everything I've read, Chuck Taylor's seem to fit the bill. But if someone has arguments as to why I need to go with something more right off the bat, I want to hear them. I lovely shiny new expensive stuff as much as the next person - I just need a valid reason to get them.0 -
Bare feet fits your requirements nicely.0
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I was just wondering about this, too, as last night I noticed my feet twisting in my running shoes a bit while doing power cleans. I have some old chucks, low top. They are so flat and lacking in support that it just seems wrong, but I'll give them a try.
Bare feet does NOT work for me.0 -
Chucks IMO.0
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I wear Chucks. My gym also has a little wooden board you can put under your heels.0
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Chucks should be sufficient for your needs, and they are not a huge investment or a single-purpose shoe so you can upgrade later if you find they do not offer enough stability (as I did).0
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i love Chucks (although i can't get over the fact that they are running about $50 now) for squats and deads, but just started wearing the Minimus from New Balance and i am in LOVE.
the pair i found are quite flat (almost no heel lift), but offer arch support and and a snug fit around the foot that just feels solid. the shoe itself is super flexible (Vibram sole) and made of a mesh fabric that is really breathable. i think these will be better for other activities as well (cardio stuff) in case i ever go back to that.0 -
Chucks IMO.
Does high or low matter?0 -
Stilettos0
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I used my five fingers and now my New Balance Minimus.
Might look into some lifting shoes down the road but these do fine for now.0 -
I have a pair of Merrell Road Gloves (Vibram sole) that I use for walking and lifting. They have been working well for my purposes and I find them super comfortable.0
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Chucks IMO.
^^yep.0 -
Chucks IMO.
Does high or low matter?
I prefer high, especially as I sumo dead.0 -
Chucks are great but I still prefer my Vibram Komodosport LS when I lift..... :drinker:0
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i love Chucks (although i can't get over the fact that they are running about $50 now)
Target has One Stars that are essentially the same as All Stars and about $15 less. I think Payless also has a shoe (Airwalk brand, maybe) that fits the bill at a lower price point.0 -
Yeah, I have the payless shoes copycat Chucks. They were fine, but I found Vibram's on sale (half-off) just yesterday - tried them out for my first workout last night and I LOVE them! They feel grippier. Plus new workout gear is fun.0
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I lift in my New Balance Minimus. They have a zero rise sole made by Vibram (means no squish in the heal).
They look just like regular trainers, I know this because everytime I post a photo of myself deadlifting, I get comments about how I shouldn't lift in regular trainers.0 -
Chucks are great. Do-Wins are not that much more expensive. The heal really helps with squats. On the other hand, for deadlifts, I use my chucks or just barefoot or socks.0
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I lift in my New Balance Minimus. They have a zero rise sole made by Vibram (means no squish in the heal).
They look just like regular trainers, I know this because everytime I post a photo of myself deadlifting, I get comments about how I shouldn't lift in regular trainers.
I've been happily lifting/walking/ellipticalling/whatever in my Nike Free 4.0's for several months now and am wondering how the NB stack up? I love not having to wear socks and the minimalist feel plus being able to just toss them in the wash, but I can't see myself ever wearing Vibrams cause I'm not a fan of having things between my toes.
Which of the NB Minimus specifically (I see there are different models) would lend themselves to free weight lifting in a lower weight range (I don't plan on ever deadlifting much more than 150 and squatting more than 100 unless I get serious about powerlifting)? Nikes make my feet happy for some reason, it's the only brand I've bought for years but would be willing to check into NB again even though their crosstrainers are usually too stiff for my personal taste.
Thanks for any input!0 -
From what you stated in your second post, Chucks or Five Fingers.
I personally like Five Fingers better as the Chucks still have some give. I lift bare foot most of the time though.0 -
Bare feet fits your requirements nicely.
Yah0 -
Bare feet fits your requirements nicely.
All except the requirement that 'bare feet are not an option' since I'm in a gym that doesn't allow bare feet.
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Bare feet fits your requirements nicely.
All except the requirement that 'bare feet are not an option' since I'm in a gym that doesn't allow bare feet.
Ain't nobody got time to read a two-page thread!0 -
Yummy, exactly which pair of NB minimus did you get? There are so many of them -- would it be the "crosstrainer" shoe?0
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I lift in my New Balance Minimus. They have a zero rise sole made by Vibram (means no squish in the heal).
They look just like regular trainers, I know this because everytime I post a photo of myself deadlifting, I get comments about how I shouldn't lift in regular trainers.
I've been happily lifting/walking/ellipticalling/whatever in my Nike Free 4.0's for several months now and am wondering how the NB stack up? I love not having to wear socks and the minimalist feel plus being able to just toss them in the wash, but I can't see myself ever wearing Vibrams cause I'm not a fan of having things between my toes.
Which of the NB Minimus specifically (I see there are different models) would lend themselves to free weight lifting in a lower weight range (I don't plan on ever deadlifting much more than 150 and squatting more than 100 unless I get serious about powerlifting)? Nikes make my feet happy for some reason, it's the only brand I've bought for years but would be willing to check into NB again even though their crosstrainers are usually too stiff for my personal taste.
Thanks for any input!
I have the pair of NB that are in the top left:
I also have a pair of Nike Frees, I tried squatting in the Nikes after a few months of wearing only the NB for squats/deads and I felt unstable in them. I definitely won't wear them for squatting again.0
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