Like with most things, the answer is: it depends. The best shoe for a runner is not the same as the best shoe for a weightlifter.
However, for working out in a gym like Sasquatch with a mix of many different movements that train balance and agility as well as strength stability is key. Kettlebell swings, box jumps, lunges, all types of squats – yes even just air squats – require stability to perform safely and get the most out of your workout.
A shoe with a flatter, more rigid sole will help protect you from things like ankle sprains, strains, and even fractures that can occur when your shoe doesn’t provide enough stability for your activity.
Think about it: if you have to carry a heavy box for several hundred feet do you want to be doing that on a path made out of mattresses? Or one made of solid stable ground?
A shoe with a thick cushion on the bottom is not going to provide the stable base you need to keep your feet, knees, ankles etc. safe and stable in the gym.
Your feet are your base. Your entire body depends on your feet to stand. If your base isn’t stable, the rest of you can’t be either. What happens if you put something rigid – like a glass of water – on a pillow on your couch? Bet it doesn’t stay standing up very well. That’s why you put that glass of water on a flat stable surface like a coffee table.
The following shoes (not sponsored) are some examples of shoes that provide good support and stability:
- Reebok Nano (any number model)
- Nike Metcon (any number model)
- NoBull Project
- Inov8 F-Lite 245
Cushioned shoes have their place, but they are not a good base for moving weight around or doing anything that requires balance or agility. If you want to get stronger you have to get stable first. The first priority is to protect your joints. To do that, you need to start off with a good solid base.
