I need a pair of workout shoes

[LiveToRideFast]

All my life shoes were just something to protect my feet from the elements so i picked whatever looked good. Now I want to buy a pair of shoes that would be great for bodybuilding. Can anyone steer me in the right direction? i have no clue what to look for

[Bo_Flecks]

My current training shoes:

[djlogik]

For days I squat or deadlift, I wear New Balance Minimus MX20 shoes. These are very flat bottomed, yet still offer support. People also use chuck taylors, vibram 5 fingers shoes, or any other flat bottom show for those lifts. You want a flat shoe so you can drive your lift through your heels without being tipped slightly forward like most running/crosstrainer shoes do. Other lifting days I wear just regular running shoes.

[sleepypanda]

My current training shoes:

Came in to post this.

[-=FLEX=-]

I wear OTOMIX Ultimate Trainers:






forever 90's......

[bann3d]

Chuck Taylors or Vans. I lift barefoot in the summer.

[ironwill2008]

All my life shoes were just something to protect my feet from the elements so i picked whatever looked good. Now I want to buy a pair of shoes that would be great for bodybuilding. Can anyone steer me in the right direction? i have no clue what to look for

Look for a shoe with a hard sole. Stay away from running shoes. You don't want cushioning under your feet when you're lifting heavy weight; ankle 'rollover' will not only limit the weight you can stabilize, but may also cause an injury.

Some guys swear by the more-expensive weightlifting shoes; Do-Wins, Adidas Powerlift, and Otomix come to mind.

Probably the most popular shoe currently is the above-mentioned Chuck Taylors.

[Marius_Ursus]

What I wear:



Asics Gel Matflex 3

They have a flat, hard sole, fit me right, and cost under $50...and they've lasted me over two years.

[mal1ce]

Another vote for:



-or-



For general purpose, you want something with a flat hard sole. When you do squats and deadlifts you don't want an "air" type sole compressing under you, tilting you foreword, and generally interfering with you being solidly connected to the ground. Sounds weird, but if you've only deadlifted/squatted in running type shoes, it's a big difference.
I personally went with the Vans because I feel they offer slightly more support in the upper since it's multi-layer vs singe on the Chucks.

[acrawlingchaos]

I am a fan of the New Balance Minimus. It has a solid Vibram sole, and is one of the most comfortable pair of shoes I ever owned.

[Kingthumper]

::flame suit on::

I might be in the minority on this one, but I absolutely love my vibrams. I wear these...

A year ago I remember thinking how ridiculous those five finger shoes looked. But I recently got told I couldn't squat or deadlift in my socks at my gym anymore. So out of anger and rebellion I looked for the next best thing and bought the vibrams. After training in them for the last three weeks, I can't imagine ever wearing anything else to train in. Their function far outweighs their strange appearance. They are brilliant fitness shoes!!!

[Garage Rat]

JMO but any shoe that has a thin sole that helps with stability when standing.
No squishy heels!
Chucks or wrestling shoes are great as shown above.
Even bare foot if you can.

[MrNismo]

What I wear:



Asics Gel Matflex 3

They have a flat, hard sole, fit me right, and cost under $50...and they've lasted me over two years.

This is exactly what I use too and I think I'm going on 3 years now. Love em.

[Paulie_G]

I am a fan of the New Balance Minimus. It has a solid Vibram sole, and is one of the most comfortable pair of shoes I ever owned.

This. The minimus are awesome. However, be careful if you buy online. I've found that they run about a half size smaller than New Balance crosstrainers.

[EjnarKolinkar]

I like to lift with these:



But found these for $70 in bargain clothing shop. 4 years ago Romaleos.



Was reluctant to buy but got figuring I could return them. I am not returning. Less soreness in knee due to less wobble.

<<<<<< Braced for the over equipped negs.

[BloodySalad]

I lift in these:

[LiveToRideFast]

Another vote for:



-or-



For general purpose, you want something with a flat hard sole. When you do squats and deadlifts you don't want an "air" type sole compressing under you, tilting you foreword, and generally interfering with you being solidly connected to the ground. Sounds weird, but if you've only deadlifted/squatted in running type shoes, it's a big difference.
I personally went with the Vans because I feel they offer slightly more support in the upper since it's multi-layer vs singe on the Chucks.

Its funny that you mention that because i found out i love squatting barefoot, maybe it was because squatting in running shoes angels me forward. who knows

[LiveToRideFast]

::flame suit on::

I might be in the minority on this one, but I absolutely love my vibrams. I wear these...

A year ago I remember thinking how ridiculous those five finger shoes looked. But I recently got told I couldn't squat or deadlift in my socks at my gym anymore. So out of anger and rebellion I looked for the next best thing and bought the vibrams. After training in them for the last three weeks, I can't imagine ever wearing anything else to train in. Their function far outweighs their strange appearance. They are brilliant fitness shoes!!!

I have been eyeing them up hard core. I love barefoot training. This has to be the next best thing. I dont know who has them so i can try them on

[Kingthumper]

I have been eyeing them up hard core. I love barefoot training. This has to be the next best thing. I dont know who has them so i can try them on

Just about any decent running store should carry them, barefoot running is pretty popular these days. Also, REI will have them, that's where I got mine. You'll definitely want to try on a couple sizes before buying, they tend to fit differently then traditional shoes. Once you know your size, you'd be safe to order online.

[j1akey]

I use the Nike's Romaleos 2 for all my workouts, at least the ones where I'm not doing anything but weightlifting, but I focus more on Olympic lifting rather than bodybuilding anyway. Either way I feel these are a pretty awesome weightlifting shoe in general, just don't plan to do much else in them . They're definitely the most stable shoes I've ever put my feet in and the higher heel helps me get into a good position at the bottom of my squat. Many people don't like the heal height for deadlifts but I find it's not a problem.

[ironwill2008]

Kinda OT, but to reiterate what's been mentioned a couple of times already, if it's allowed in your gym, try Squatting and Deadlifting barefoot, OP.

You may find, like I did, that Deadlifts feel much more "solid" with nothing at all between your feet and the floor (I didn't get this same effect with Squats).

[litljay]

Kinda OT, but to reiterate what's been mentioned a couple of times already, if it's allowed in your gym, try Squatting and Deadlifting barefoot, OP.

You may find, like I did, that Deadlifts feel much more "solid" with nothing at all between your feet and the floor (I didn't get this same effect with Squats).

Same as me IW. DL was ok barefoot, but not squats.

I've been wanting to try these:


I just hate buying something they may end up staying in my closet and collecting dust.

[crupiea]

My current training shoes:

this

[j1akey]

Same as me IW. DL was ok barefoot, but not squats.

I've been wanting to try these:


I just hate buying something they may end up staying in my closet and collecting dust.

Don't waste your money, tried them and while better than your typical running shoe that people lift in, I would advise investing in a legit pair of lifting shoes, which these are not.

[LiveToRideFast]

Thanks for the replys guys. I went out and got 2 pairs of shoes. I got Reebok RealFlex running shoes, and i got a pair of Vibram 5 Finger Komodo Sport LS M3781's in lime green

[PapaBunny]

I use these or my socks. I used to lift in running shoes until I read more about deads and squats....

[62Wolf]

I use the Nike's Romaleos 2 for all my workouts, at least the ones where I'm not doing anything but weightlifting, but I focus more on Olympic lifting rather than bodybuilding anyway. Either way I feel these are a pretty awesome weightlifting shoe in general, just don't plan to do much else in them . They're definitely the most stable shoes I've ever put my feet in and the higher heel helps me get into a good position at the bottom of my squat. Many people don't like the heal height for deadlifts but I find it's not a problem.

I just picked a pair a week ago. Top Notch. I wear them for squats, OLy lifts, & deads.

[HoustonTXMuscle]

While I like Chuck Taylors for lifting, for squats, I prefer to be barefoot. Gym management doesn't like it so, I wear non-slip surgical socks. Another new pair in my gym bag as of Tuesday morning's surgery.

[2nd_chance]

Just about any wrestling shoe will work well. Chucks are good too.

[w8killer]

I wear OTOMIX Ultimate Trainers:









forever 90's......

90's? Here is 90's sir. lol