AAPSM explains Training Shoes, a type of Fitness Footwear (original) (raw)

Footwear - Training Shoes aka Cross-Trainers

Training shoes are a category of footwear designed to provide protection for a variety of fitness activities. They are kind-of a hybrid of a running shoe and a court shoe. This class of footwear is suitable for general weightlifting, a variety of fitness classes, some casual sport participation, PE/Gym Class, and overall use at the health/fitness club. Training shoes provide cushioning, shock absorption, and varying levels of stability devices to protect the feet and ankles. Training shoes are the jack-of-all-trades so they work well in a variety of activities but if you participate in one particular sport such as running or basketball, more than 2 times per week then you should have a sport-specific shoe.
Cross Training shoe considerations include:

• Designed for multi-directional movement.
• Not designed for running more than 1 mile**
• Compared to running shoes:
  • Less of a rearfoot and forefoot rocker, flatter sole
  • Overall less cushioned outsole and midsole
    • But still has cushioning in the forefoot
  • Stronger and more durable material and therefore slightly heavier
  • Outsole: more rubbery for grip
  • Typically tend to be a lower heel to toe offset
• Midsole slightly flared/built up medially and laterally for stability for cutting and shifting side to side
• Soles are wider and tend to expand beyond the width of the upper part of the shoe (But not as much as a court sport shoe does.)