The ideal shoes for lower-body workouts
👟No fluff, straight to the point lol: the main tip is to avoid trendy shoes with over-the-top cushioning for lower-body workouts that involve squats, lunges, deadlifts, and similar exercises…! “Oh, Thiago… but are these modern, expensive shoes bad for training?” No… they’re great for upper-body workouts, running, going out… but I don’t recommend them for a SERIOUS LOWER-BODY WORKOUT because they can affect your results and, especially, your training safety.
Running shoes
Running shoes with cushioning use advanced technology designed for specific situations, where much of the impact energy is absorbed as your foot strikes the ground.
To put it simply, they work like shock absorbers. They’re ideal for running, but unnecessary—and I’d say not recommended—for anyone looking for a truly effective lower-body workout!
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In this situation, we don’t want to dissipate the energy; we want to focus it to create a greater mechanical advantage and generate force safely. Choose a shoe with a FLAT, RIGID sole. For example, I’ll mention All Star, since it’s a brand we all know. When we do weighted exercises, especially those that involve supporting weight on our lower limbs, we need STABILITY, particularly with our heels firmly on the floor.
Is training barefoot a good idea?
Oh, and you might be saying now… “I’ll train barefoot…” Yes, that’s an option for many people. Training barefoot can be a viable alternative in some cases, since your heel will be directly on the floor, and if the surface is stable, this will provide all the beneficial features
of a suitable shoe, but in this case, it’s free!
HOWEVER… one moment of carelessness could cost you dearly… who hasn’t seen or dropped a weight plate or bar on the floor? Now imagine the damage if it fell on your foot WITHOUT the protection of a SHOE!!
Find out which shoes are best for lower-body workouts
Whatever shoes you wear, there’s no reason to give up physical activity altogether. Keep training, and do it mindfully! Your health will thank you!
In addition to training, your diet needs to be rich in protein, carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, and minerals to gradually build muscle.
You’ll need to make a few sacrifices—sweets and ultra-processed foods should be kept out of your daily routine—but it’s important to find a diet that’s easy to follow. Let sweets and fried foods be the exception, never the rule, okay!
