Zumba, kick-boxing, kettle bells, or spinning? These types of group gym classes require "a good cross trainer that has a multi-purpose outsole, with a durable and breathable upper, as well as a low-profile midsole," says Turner. She suggests the Asics Gel-Ipera. In addition to fun colors (hello, neon!), she says these shoes are "super lightweight and stable, with just the right amount of cushioning to provide shock absorption no matter what type of activity your class has in store."
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Best minimalist training shoes
Many trainers will suggest occasionally jogging in grass barefoot. This forces normally dormant muscles into action. If barefoot running isn't your thing — or you can't bring yourself to wear those funny-looking five-toe contraptions — Rich suggests New Balance Minimus. The lightweight shoe is flexible, snug as a glove, and allows your feet to feel the ground with each step.
Fact: Women love shoes.
And, while "Sex and the City's" Carrie Bradshaw may have brought the term "shoe addict" into the '90s lexicon, our obsession with footwear can be traced as far back as a certain glass slipper-wearing scullery maid.
But, while many women obsess over Christian Louboutin's crystal-embellished pumps or Tori Burch's ballet flats, the passion doesn't quite seem to cross over into the workout shoe realm.
Perhaps it's because workout sneakers aren't as sexy as spiked heels or a hot pair of over-the-knee boots. Whatever the reason, it's rare to hear a group of women gushing over Nike's new cross-trainers or New Balance's latest running shoe.
That's too bad. Especially since the right workout shoes can make your legs look better than any Brian Atwood peep-toes could. "The right shoe can dramatically improve your workout results, allowing you to run faster, jump higher, and keep up longer," says fitness expert Kit Rich. "The wrong shoe can cause both short and long-term injury."
Scoring shoes that won't leave you with a limp means ditching the "one size fits all" motto. According to Jessica Turner, Vice President of Channel Merchandising and Footwear Expert for FootSmart, "Different shoe types will feature varying degrees of mid-sole support, arch support, overall shoe weight, flexibility, and treads, all of which can have an impact on your sport of choice."
Are your eyes already glazing over? You're not alone. We know that even basic sneaker jargon can be confusing, which is why we are bringing you this shortcut. We chatted with top fitness footwear experts and found the best workout shoes for each type of sport. So all you need to do is see which kicks pair up best with your preferred routine and be on your way.
