Cross training shoes, also described as cross trainers or trainers, are worn by athletes across major sporting activities (volleyball, basketball, tennis) for hardcore exercises and training on the field.
Training shoes are regular sports shoes used mostly in the gym by men and women. They are very good for running or other exercises carried out in the gymnasium as they embody attributes that make them comfortable to wear.
It is agreeable to note that both types of shoes are for sporting activities. However, one differs from the other in terms of suitability and purpose.
Cross Training Shoes
Should we reiterate that people often confuse cross trainers with training shoes? As its name implies, a cross trainer is used for varying sports activities\workouts. What a cross trainer does is provide support to the legs. This is seen in the appearance of these shoes as it has a build that cares for the sole of the users’ feet. A good cross trainer is supposed to be suitable for support and stability for whatever sporting activity it is used for. A good cross trainer should consist of an outsole that is smoother and flatter to maximize ground contact and boost stability.
Training Shoes
Trainers or training shoes are casual, soft sports shoes. Usually, for any running activity, training shoes are highly recommended as they are quite comfortable and suitable for running. A training shoe has a forefront that promotes the forward movement, which aids running, as running is usually done to the front. Training shoes are sturdier and firmly gripped to take in the weight and prevent knee injuries. They are best for heel support during weight lifting and high-intensity gym activities.
Which Shoes Should You Choose and When?
Knowing and wearing the correct shoes will aid in properly auguring your feet and body wellness. Choosing the correct pairs of shoes depends on why you wear them. A footballer on the field knows the best pair of shoes suitable for him; a pair of cleats or soccer shoes are what a soccer player should wear. This is because a soccer field has grass pitches, and soccer cleats have been designed to have studs on the outsole to aid proper grip and keep the player from falling.
Cross Training Shoes and Crossfit Workout
There are exercises known as CrossFit workouts. Cross trainers are the best for this type of workout as they help maintain your form and they also help in ensuring a greater level of protection in the course of the workout, which helps in injury sustenance reduction. Examples of CrossFit workouts include but are not limited to burpees, box jumps, squats, kettlebells, barbell squats, pull-ups, and push-ups.
Therefore, when planning on starting a CrossFit workout journey, it is essential to look out for the shoes specifically made for this type of sport. You might want to try out these shoes for CrossFit workouts: Reebok Nano 8.0, Reebok Nano X1 Froning, and Nike Metcon 7. These shoes are stable and fit for CrossFit workouts.
Running Shoes
Your typical running shoes have been formulated to increase the capacity of your breathing take-ins, and it also helps in blood pressure and body weight. Running shoes have been specifically made for running; overusing them is not advisable. Running shoes come with every comfort they can ever add to your feet, so it is expedient to know what shoes are for running purposes only. Recommended running shoes are: Saucony Peregrine ISO, Brooks Adrenaline GTS 19, Reebok Forever FloatRide Energy, and Salomon Predict RA. These shoes have specifically been built to aid running for both men and women.
Additionally, some ask if they can use running shoes to walk. You can use them, but for this article, it is important to note that running shoes are breathable shoes for running; using them for other activities might jeopardize the purpose they aim to achieve.
Walking Shoes
Running shoes are mostly used for walking because they have similar qualities that make them the best for activeness. So, if you find out that you have a good pair of running shoes, you can very well use them for walking.
Construction Differences between Training Shoes and Running Shoes
As mentioned, a shoe designed for training and a shoe designed for running are entirely different in their makes and mode. As a football pitch is designed for playing football, so is a volleyball court designed wholly for volleyball playing. Major construction differences between these shoes are not limited to the following categories. However, for decency, we shall discuss three major differences.
- Heel-to-Toe Drop Difference: This is the height factor in determining a shoe’s capabilities. A shoe with a higher heel-to-toe drop is mostly designed for running, while a lower drop is designed for training. Depending on the model of the shoe, a running shoe heel-t0 toe drops is 12+mm, and for training shoes, 0-4mm is the standard. However, some training shoe models provide 6-8mm.
- Outsole Differences: The outsole is the construction that makes the lower bottom of the shoe. Whereas a training shoe should be firmly gripped at the bottom, a running shoe has a softer texture material.
- Upper Construction Differences: A running shoe has a lighter upper construction derived from mesh or knit materials; this makes them breathable. Good training shoes are designed to endure upward and downward movements.
Conclusion
Conclusively, cross training and training shoes are designed differently to suit the sporting activity they are used for. They are both types of sporting shoes, but they differ in their ability to aid in durability and curtail knee injuries related to a bad choice of shoes. We believe it is expedient that not only athletes but regular men and women should be aware of the shoes that best suit the sport they choose to do at a particular time and place.