Comment choisir ses chaussures de Cross-training ? | Charlie Tango Fitness

How to choose your Cross-training shoes?

You've just signed up for a CrossFit program, and here's a question that probably comes to mind: "What shoes should I wear to work out?"

You have special shoes for golf, bowling, weight training, running, and soccer. So it makes sense that you have specific shoes for CrossFit training.

Here's a very general tip before we get into the details: You can do CrossFit in any athletic shoe. If you're on a budget and already have a pair of athletic shoes - running shoes, athletic shoes, basketball shoes, etc. Your trainer will be satisfied with a clean pair of shoes.

Don't let shoes keep you from working out.

That said, you will see several types of shoes at CrossFit and functional training gyms. They all serve a specific purpose, and we'll go over them all so you can decide which shoes you should wear for CrossFit.

General Facts About Shoes


You will see about five different types of shoes in CrossFit boxes. Here they are :

  • Basic sports shoes
  • CrossFit Specific/Functional Training Shoes
  • Barefoot
  • minimalist shoes
  • weightlifting shoes
  • powerlifting shoes

You will also see a few other types of footwear - indoor soccer, boxing or wrestling boots - but these are very rare. We'll stick to the main categories and let you know the pros and cons of each type of shoe, as well as who and what exercises they're suitable for.

Basic sports shoes


This is a very broad category. We'll define it as any athletic shoes you have that aren't 100% designed for a specific sport.

That means no crampons, no special hard-to-find shoes, no hiking boots. Just the general shoes you see all over the wall of any sports store.

Shoes in this category include running and walking shoes, court shoes (basketball/volleyball), "sneakers" and cross shoes.

You can use all of these shoes for CrossFit, but each has drawbacks. Here is an overview:

Running shoe


Running shoes are designed with lots of cushioning, and they are meant to be used for forward motion. They usually have wider heels with lots of padding. You can use them for CrossFit, but we don't recommend them.


Advantages :

They're more comfortable for workouts that involve a lot of running, and you can absolutely wear them for a CrossFit class that only involves running work. Running shoes are often very comfortable too.


Disadvantages:

Running shoes are designed to "keep you going". If you put a running shoe on the ground and press down on the toe, the heel lifts off the ground. It's great for running, but not ideal for creating stability in squats, deadlifts, and snaches.

For these movements we need to be very stable, often placing the weight in the foot and not shifting it to the toes.

Likewise, running shoes often lack side-to-side stability. Lateral motion wasn't particularly common in CrossFit in the old days, but more and more gyms are now using it for training, and one doesn't want to twist your ankle. Flat shoes are generally preferable to running shoes.

Finally, cushioning can be great for the joints, but it absorbs force instead of transferring it. In CrossFit, we want to transfer force to objects, not lose it in damping.


basketball shoes


Basketball shoes aren't common in CrossFit gyms, but they'll do. They are designed for traction, forward movement in all planes and ankle support from changes in direction.

Advantages :

These shoes are often "toppers" that provide lots of ankle support. They are also relatively flat, which is a guarantee of stability.

Against :

Support has a price. Basketball shoes are generally heavier and bulkier, making them unsuitable for long training and gymnastics.

volleyball shoes

These shoes can be used in CrossFit workouts, but their gum or blown rubber soles aren't suitable for running outdoors.

For :

Generally flat and fairly light, making them great for gymnastic moves, lifting moves and agility. They also provide great traction inside a gymnasium.

In fact, some specific CrossFit shoes now look a lot like volleyball shoes. They also often provide cushioning in the forefoot, which can help with moves like jump rope or box jumps.

Disadvantages:

indoor sports shoes are often not suitable for outdoor training, and the rubber that provides traction indoors deteriorates more quickly outdoors.

Similarly, athletic shoes, especially volleyball shoes, often provide cushioning in the forefoot, which can make it harder to find balance in movements like deadlifts and squats. .

Much like running shoes, cushioning can absorb the force you want to apply to a barbell.

Sneakers - city sneakers

We'll use this category for "stylish" shoes or any shoes that have an athletic look but aren't really designed for athletics. Can you use them? Strictly speaking, yes. But there are probably better options.

A special note: shoes with "rocker" soles are absolutely not suitable for CrossFit. We do not recommend that you wear these shoes in the gym.

For :

The sneakers look cool.

Against :

sneakers are designed to look cool. This means that they are not designed for athletic performance. Some sports shoes can be used in the gym without problems, but we recommend something else.

Cross training shoes


What shoes should I wear for CrossFit? Probably cross training shoes.

These shoes are generally designed to accommodate many athletic movements: running, jumping, lifting, turning. They are a mix of all the other specific shoe types, just like CrossFit is a mix of athletic movements.

Advantages :

Cross-trainers are the Swiss army knife of the shoe world. You can use them for just about anything. They're not as good for running as some running shoes, but you can run in them. And so on.

Against :

anything general leaves something to be desired in terms of specificity. In the example above, sneakers may not give you the cushioning you like in running workouts. That said, there are all kinds of hybrids out there, and some are more suited to specific activities than others.

We'll go over the different types of CrossFit shoes in the next section.

Functional Training Specific Footwear

If you're going to buy shoes, these are probably the shoes you should wear for CrossFit training, at least for general CrossFit training. We'll go into the details below.

New Balance, 5.11, Under Armour, and many more make training shoes, but we'll focus on the two most common: the Reebok Nano and the Nike MetCon.

REEBOK NANO


Reebok has released other training shoes with the delta symbol that characterizes its CrossFit line, but the Nano is the flagship shoe for functional training. And the shoe is now in its ninth iteration. You may see Nano worn by athletes such as Patrick Vellner and Katrin Davidsdottir.

The Nano was designed for all common CrossFit movements: lifting, cardio activities including running, and calisthenics. It's a relatively flat shoe that still keeps you running, although some people would prefer better cushioning for longer runs. That said, the Nano is flat enough for lifting weights or squatting, which is not the case with running shoes.

Advantages :

The Nano is designed specifically for CrossFit, so it's suitable for any general workout that involves several different movements.

Against :

Price: They are more expensive than other training shoes. They're also not ideal for certain workouts that involve a specific aspect of CrossFit, such as running, weight lifting, or power lifting. But they are suitable for all these activities. Rich Froning has made a career out of doing amazing things in nanos.

NIKE METCON

It's Nike's answer to the Nano, and it's the shoe that Mat Fraser, Sara Sigmundsdottir and other big stars wear when they practice their sport.

According to its maker, it was created to help you “lift, sprint, climb, and jump” — all the stuff you see in CrossFit. Nike can't say "CrossFit" without signing an agreement with CrossFit Inc.

Most :

Another balanced product, the shoe was created for CrossFit activities, so it will work great in most workouts.

Disadvantages:

Same as the Nano: The price, and the fact that it's a general shoe and won't be perfect for some very specific workouts.

NANO OR METCON?

What shoes should you wear for CrossFit?

The one that matches the outfit!

Here is what we chose:


We loved the Nano 2, and the current Metcon fits great too. Nike shoes are found to be lighter and more fitted, while the newer Nanos are a bit heavier and less fun to wear.

We recommend trying both brands - or others - and deciding which ones work best for you.

And if both look good on you, choose the shoes that go best with your outfit.

What shoes to wear for Crossfit?

If you're just starting out on a fitness program, don't let shoes get in the way!

Just start practicing. You will feel good if your shoes fit your feet well and are comfortable. Just put on your shoes and go to a CrossFit box.

We don't recommend you wear boxing shoes, but we won't refuse you entry if you do!

But seriously: Don't let shoes confuse you or keep you from working out. Just go to the gym regularly.

By establishing a routine and forming habits, you can use the guide above to help you determine which shoes you should wear for CrossFit.

And at first, we recommend a pair of cross-trainers simply because they're the most versatile.


As you train, you might want to get yourself a pair of weightlifting shoes, and maybe a pair of flats like converses.

But you can do CrossFit in any shoe, so don't stress.

Find a gym and get started.

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