"Trainer" shoes - that different from running shoes?

Seajolly
Seajolly Posts: 1,435 Member
edited September 30 in Fitness and Exercise
I keep seeing Nike ads for "trainer" shoes... Shoes are meant to be used for high-impact workouts such as Zumba, workout DVDS like Jillian Michaels and Insanity, etc. Are they really worth it, and should I be using them instead of my running shoes for workouts? Any input appreciated! :smile:

Replies

  • twinmama1987
    twinmama1987 Posts: 566 Member
    I use training shoes :D love them! I wouldnt consider zumba high impact though... I do Insanity and i was getting extreme shin splints.. so i got these and its amazing.. no more pain :D im on my second round of insanity woop
  • alischaid
    alischaid Posts: 46 Member
    I was wondering the same thing...
  • Choltor
    Choltor Posts: 65 Member
    For workouts, yes training shoes will be better. Running shoes are designed more for forward motion, and won't give you the same support for the side-to-side motion in training. They'll wear out faster because of that, too.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,024 Member
    I go even further using "lifting shoes". Otomix has a flat sole which makes it much more comfortable to do squats and deadlifts for me.
  • lisab42
    lisab42 Posts: 98 Member
    Running shoes are meant to minimize lateral movement (movement is straight forward when running), where trainers are designed to allow the lateral movement required of the different type of workout. So in short, yes there is a difference. You're likely to get a lot of different opinions about whether having a pair of each is worth it. Personally, I've grown to love my New Balance Minimus shoes. I just got them last weekend and am transitioning into them slowly for the running. I do Turbo Fire every day in them and no way would I go back to a trainer. Even when I switch to my regular running shoes to finish my run I feel like I've got pillows strapped to my feet. Big cumbersome shoes. And best yet, I figure it should save me about $500.00 a year because their mileage is so much higher.

    Take a look

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goZNN8h6M6E

    Good Luck.
  • Seajolly
    Seajolly Posts: 1,435 Member
    Running shoes are meant to minimize lateral movement (movement is straight forward when running), where trainers are designed to allow the lateral movement required of the different type of workout. So in short, yes there is a difference. You're likely to get a lot of different opinions about whether having a pair of each is worth it. Personally, I've grown to love my New Balance Minimus shoes. I just got them last weekend and am transitioning into them slowly for the running. I do Turbo Fire every day in them and no way would I go back to a trainer. Even when I switch to my regular running shoes to finish my run I feel like I've got pillows strapped to my feet. Big cumbersome shoes. And best yet, I figure it should save me about $500.00 a year because their mileage is so much higher.

    Take a look

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goZNN8h6M6E

    Good Luck.

    Thanks, I'd never heard of these but now I'm REALLY interested! I like the idea of getting a more "minimal" shoe, and like that that shoe seems to be geared for people who want to get into minimalist shoes. How do these perform for "training", not just running? I'd probably use them for trail running too but don't really want to buy another exercise shoe unless I can get multiple uses out of it. Having a shoe that performs well for running AND training would be awesome.
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