Running/Weight Lifting Shoes

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MoreBean13
MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Do you change your shoes between running and strength training? I will frequently do both in one day and I'm sort of overprotective of my expensive running shoes- I don't even wear them for everyday errands and such to avoid wearing them out- and I think doing heavy weight lifting in my good shoes is going to break down the support....also, I know you're supposed to wear flatter shoes for lifting anyway, so do you change your shoes? Or am I getting carried away (which I have strong tendencies towards)?

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  • dany_m
    dany_m Posts: 74 Member
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    Sorry I have no answer but I was wondering about that too.
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,326 Member
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    i dont wear the same shoes because the support i need for running holds me back in lifting.

    i've been lifting in my socks recently until i decide what type of actual lifting shoes i want to buy (converse vs vibrams vs skeletoes) or if i want to just stick to my yoga socks with the grippers on the bottom :laugh:

    barefoot is ideal for me which is why i see the yoga socks as a good alternative to walking barefoot on the dirty floor. there's a huge difference in my squats and deadlifts when i do them with my just my socks. i also have better balance and control when i do stuff like 1 arm db snatches, front squat push presses and lunges
  • MMarvelous
    MMarvelous Posts: 1,067 Member
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    Whew I thought I would be country working out barefoot or in socks. I agree I lift , squat and lunge better without sneakers. Thx for posting this question lol
  • myjourney2
    myjourney2 Posts: 424 Member
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    I wear my cross trainers at the gym for lifting and anything else. Like you, I tent to save my expensive runners for just that - walk/running!
  • myjourney2
    myjourney2 Posts: 424 Member
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    i dont wear the same shoes because the support i need for running holds me back in lifting.

    i've been lifting in my socks recently until i decide what type of actual lifting shoes i want to buy (converse vs vibrams vs skeletoes) or if i want to just stick to my yoga socks with the grippers on the bottom :laugh:

    barefoot is ideal for me which is why i see the yoga socks as a good alternative to walking barefoot on the dirty floor. there's a huge difference in my squats and deadlifts when i do them with my just my socks. i also have better balance and control when i do stuff like 1 arm db snatches, front squat push presses and lunges

    Careful lifting in your socks. One of the girls at the gym was working out in her socks and dropped a weight on her big toe. Fractured the toe and is unable to participate in the 10 km run she registered for.
  • ishtar13
    ishtar13 Posts: 528 Member
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    Well, you don't want to lift heavy in running shoes, anyway, they are too squishy.

    Converse Chuck Taylors are often recommended for weight lifting.
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,326 Member
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    i dont wear the same shoes because the support i need for running holds me back in lifting.

    i've been lifting in my socks recently until i decide what type of actual lifting shoes i want to buy (converse vs vibrams vs skeletoes) or if i want to just stick to my yoga socks with the grippers on the bottom :laugh:

    barefoot is ideal for me which is why i see the yoga socks as a good alternative to walking barefoot on the dirty floor. there's a huge difference in my squats and deadlifts when i do them with my just my socks. i also have better balance and control when i do stuff like 1 arm db snatches, front squat push presses and lunges


    Careful lifting in your socks. One of the girls at the gym was working out in her socks and dropped a weight on her big toe. Fractured the toe and is unable to participate in the 10 km run she registered for.

    dude i push heavy weights, it's not going to make a difference if i'm wearing canvas sneakers over my socks if a 45 pound weight plate falls :laugh:

    @mmarvelous : i do feel weird at times. i dont walk around like that, i set myself up near a power rack. if i do need to walk to a different location to get something, i'll put my shoes back on exactly because i dont want to look country :laugh:
  • sipseyab
    sipseyab Posts: 59
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    I wear Merrell barefoot shoes for running and lifting.
  • Ohbutiloveicecream
    Ohbutiloveicecream Posts: 37 Member
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    Vibram Bikila for both.
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
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    I've never considered the barefoot running shoes....and I def. never thought to lift weights actual barefoot! Do you barefoot lifters do it at home or at the gym? I feel like my gym has rules about wearing shoes, I think?
  • wolfchild59
    wolfchild59 Posts: 2,608 Member
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    I wouldn't lift in my running shoes. I don't want any extra compression on those soles to wear them out any faster than necessary. I have an old pair of shoes that I lift in.
  • Aperture_Science
    Aperture_Science Posts: 840 Member
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    Careful lifting in your socks. One of the girls at the gym was working out in her socks and dropped a weight on her big toe. Fractured the toe and is unable to participate in the 10 km run she registered for.

    Yes you must be careful but if you drop a weight on your toe even when wearing trainers, running shoes or lifting shoes, you will still get injured. What wearing shoes will prevent is stubbed toes like the kind you get when you go to the bathroom in the middle of the night.
  • Aperture_Science
    Aperture_Science Posts: 840 Member
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    Running shoes (other than the barefoot running type) typically have a raised and cushioned heel. This heel pushed the hips forward too much and will lead to poor form when squatting and dead lifting. For this reason running shoes are not recommended for strength work.

    As others have said: Barefoot, Chuck Taylors or some other low cushioning low heel shoes are best (obviously including specialist weight training shoes)
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,326 Member
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    I've never considered the barefoot running shoes....and I def. never thought to lift weights actual barefoot! Do you barefoot lifters do it at home or at the gym? I feel like my gym has rules about wearing shoes, I think?
    i workout in a gym. i think mine has rules about wearing proper foot wear depending on what room you are in but i've never seen anything specifically in the weight room.

    when i go there's usually a few trainers in the area and some will stop and chat between sets. one did say something about me lifting in my socks and asking if i found it better than with shoes. his basic stance was as long as i wasnt walking around in them then i should be fine. i pretty much just kick off my shoes where ever i'm set up and if i need to walk to get something else i slip my shoes back on. really the only people who realize i'm not wearing shoes are standing right next to me and watching me

    by the way, these are the exact socks i have
    http://www.target.com/p/Gaiam-Gripping-Nonslip-Yoga-Socks-S-M/-/A-10821252?ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001&AFID=Froogle_df&LNM=|10821252&CPNG=sports&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=10821252
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
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    by the way, these are the exact socks i have
    http://www.target.com/p/Gaiam-Gripping-Nonslip-Yoga-Socks-S-M/-/A-10821252?ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001&AFID=Froogle_df&LNM=|10821252&CPNG=sports&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=10821252

    Those look fun! Can you feel them between your toes in shoes?
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,326 Member
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    by the way, these are the exact socks i have
    http://www.target.com/p/Gaiam-Gripping-Nonslip-Yoga-Socks-S-M/-/A-10821252?ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001&AFID=Froogle_df&LNM=|10821252&CPNG=sports&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=10821252

    Those look fun! Can you feel them between your toes in shoes?

    yeah they do feel weird in shoes mainly because of the grippers on the bottom, so i don wear them when i'm doing cardio unless it's the bike
  • mike_littlerock
    mike_littlerock Posts: 296 Member
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    I use a training shoe(low heel, as a high heel lift running shoe is BAD for fast direction changes) for my warm-up, agility work, and conditioning.. for lifting, I use a Pendlay weightlifting shoe. they have a lifted heel, but it is very firm, you dont want something that will "give" during a lift.
    http://www.pendlay.com/Weightlifting-Shoes_c_167.html

    Someone said you do NOT want a heel for lifting, that is not really true, the lifting shoes are used by virtually all Olympic style lifters (at least at competitive levels) and the shoe does help with balance during squats and helps heel drive. Just as many need a small board under their heel for squats.

    It can be a minor pain to change shoes during the workout, but the training shoe is not well suited for lifting because of the heel cushioning (even with a small heel) and the weightlifting shoe is not designed for speed/agility work, or even pushing heavy sled, as the heel will not flex at all.

    CAN you lift in chuck taylors (or combat boots, or ballerina shoes if you wanted for whatever reason. lol).. YES. of course you can and many people doing bodybuilding style lifting do it. I guess it all depends on the style of lifting that you prefer, and what your personal needs and preferences are. the weightlifting shoes work well for me.
    my 2 cents.
  • nexangelus
    nexangelus Posts: 2,081 Member
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    No. I use vibrams, I can run and workout in them. Sometimes I walk or cycle to the gym and use my converse.

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