The Best Cross Training Shoes For Women

If you are like most women then you probably wear running shoes when you take classes at the gym. Women tend to wear their running shoes to body pump, step, kickboxing and aerobics classes at their gyms, even though they are not engaging in any running activity.  According to sports professionals this could cause ankle, knee and other injuries because lateral support is not provided. This is where you go side to side in your footwear which happens at most classes in the gym . If you aren’t planning to go running on the treadmill where you are using a foreward and backward motion then you should buy yourself a proper cross training shoe. A shoe dedicated to cross training will help you perform better and decrease the risk of injury.

So what is cross training and what are cross training shoes? Cross training is any activity where you use lateral movement or go from side to side. A lot of athletes will cross train to help them perform better in their specialist sport. For instance, runners may lift weights to strengthen their upper body or take step or aerobics classes to increase lung capacity. Amateur athletes and those of us who want to keep fit are following suit. Many people who attend gyms do not undertake any form of running activity but still wear running shoes to work out in.
Cross training shoes provide lateral support, soften impact, aid stability and help performance. Keep your running shoes for running or walking and cross training shoes for cross training! Design improvements for 2011 mean even better performing cross training shoes.
Women’s cross training shoes come in all shapes and sizes, here are a few popular brands that are considered to be the best cross training shoes for women.

The New Balance cross training shoe is award winning, providing a high level of cushioning with good arch support. Moderate or severe over-pronators will be well supported in this shoe. The trainer is manufactured using Abzorb and Abzorb DTS which provides excellent cushioning on heel strike. Weighing in at 9.7 ounces it is lightweight and is available at most good sports retailers for about £75.00.

The Nike Free Trainer is a very lightweight cross trainer and is designed with breathable mesh, which is both comfortable and supportive. Its mid sole is cut with both vertical and horizontal grooves to aid flexibility. The shoe weighs in at a tiny 6.7 ounces and retails at around £40.00, proving that a sports shoe doesn’t have to be expensive.

The Keen Ridgeline also retails at around £40.00 and comes with S3 technology, focusing on Shock, Suspension and Stability. This shoe is excellent for people with or without foot problems as it protects on impact, is highly shock absorbent and reduces the possibility of sprain or twist injuries. The sole provides good traction on a variety of different surfaces and weighs around 10 ounces.

Asics have their own design of womens cross training shoes made with a synthetic and mesh material. The ASICS GEL-Fluent TR is new out and copes well with shock absorption. With it’s AHAR heel plug to cushion heel impact, outsole wrap at the forefoot protecting arches by lateral stability and Duo Max Support System (found only in ASICS shoes), this shoe focuses support on heel strike which continues all the way from the arch to the toes. It retails at about £60.00.

The Reebok RunTone Action Trainers are innovatively designed to improve muscle tone as you work out. The shoe is very breathable and comes with EasyTone shoe technology incorporating 8 pods of moving air, which force the muscles to work hard, increasing muscle strength and endurance. The Smooth Fit seamless liner helps to reduce irritation and rubbing during exercise preventing blisters. DMX cushioning panels help to reduce heel impact and increases comfort. Reebok also provide an IMEVA midsole, which provides extra comfort and cushioning, as well as a removable sock liner, which you can wash to combat odour and moisture build up.

Now you no longer have to ask the question, ‘what are cross training shoes?’ you will be able to focus on finding a pair that will help you perform well, injury free!