Your training footwear works seriously hard. The best gym shoes keep you stable when you’re lifting weight. They keep you balanced when you’re moving dynamically. They offer cushioning and support to protect your joints. And they need to handle a lot of friction.

There are tons of different kinds of gym footwear out there, so finding the best gym training shoes for you will depend on the kinds of exercise you do. It’s also important to know how gym shoes are different from other kinds of sports footwear, so you can make the right choice for your needs. 

In this guide, you’ll learn what makes gym shoes different, you’ll get the low down on the main types of training footwear out there, and you’ll get examples of the best workout shoes for specific situations. 

Gym shoes are footwear engineered specifically for the kinds of activities you’ll do in the gym. They’re built with a range of features which make them best suited to things like weightlifting, HIIT, circuits, spin or cross training. 

Head to a sports gear store and you’ll find there are several distinct sub-categories:

• Weight lifting shoes: These tend to have a much lower profile and prioritise ground contact. Try the UA Reign 6 for women and men. 

• Training shoes: Built for things like HIIT, spin or circuits classes. They’ve got a bit more cushioning, the grip is built to handle dynamic movements (side to side, back and forth) and they’re often very lightweight. UA Dynamic IntelliKnit Training Shoes for men and women have you covered. 

• Hybrid shoes: A mix of the above. Built for people who want to do some weight lifting, but also some cardio. They’re the best gym shoes for lifting and cardio. UA Commit 4 Training Shoes for men give you the right balance. 

• Running shoes: Built for use on the treadmill, the cross trainer and the stair machine. Men’s and women’s UA Infinite Elite are ideal here. 

While there are differences between weight lifting shoes and cross training footwear, all good quality gym shoes will share certain features in common:

• Grippy: The outsole tread (the bit which comes in contact with the floor) should provide plenty of grip - even in hot and humid environments. 

• A ‘flatter’, lower profile: Gym shoes tend to have a lower profile than running shoes. The goal is to give you more direct contact with the ground. 

• Breathable: You’re going to sweat when you’re grinding hard. The best gym shoes offer tons of ventilation and breathability. 

• Lockdown: The uppers in gym shoes use things like external heel clips to keep your feet locked down and avoid unwanted movement or slippage. 

When you’re looking to invest in a pair of gym shoes, answer the following questions to decide which kind of footwear you need:

At first glance, running shoes might look similar to some gym shoes. But there are major differences in the way they’re designed. Wearing running shoes for most gym activities will give you less comfort, stability and support. In the worst case, using running shoes for gym activities could cause injury. 

Running shoes typically have a lot of cushioning in the heel, and a slight curve in the sole. That’s ideal for running, where you’re constantly striking the ground with your heel and moving in the same direction. But if you’re moving side to side, lifting weights or jumping boxes, you won’t get the support you need. Also, since running shoes usually have thicker soles, you won’t get that close ground contact - which is super important for control when lifting weights. 

Of course, if you mainly go to the gym to run on a treadmill, then running shoes are ideal. 

At Under Armour, we are constantly innovating to build better, more supportive, more responsive training gear. We use new materials, sole designs and tons of research with users like you to build the best gym training shoes. It’s why fitness legends like Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson have partnered with us for our Project Rock performance gear. 

Whether you're training to lift more than ever before, are working to smash your cardio goals, or are an all-rounder, we’ve built the right gear for you. 

Your weightlifting shoes need to give you maximum ground contact. They need to be super breathable. The sole has to be grippy. The shoe needs to be secure and stable. 

Choose the UA Reign 6 Stability training shoes for men and women. You get a midfoot strap to keep you locked in. There’s a TPU heel lift (basically, your heel is raised a little) for max flexibility during squats and deadlifts. The outsole is firm and flat, giving you total control and ground contact. Oh, and the uppers are super breathable. 

For HIIT shoes, you need something that’s lightweight, breathable and responsive. It needs some cushioning for those star jumps and burpees. It’s also got to be super grippy - no one wants to lose their footing when doing mountain climbers. And they’ve got to handle serious friction. 

Try the UA Dynamic IntelliKnit training shoe for women and men to take your HIIT to the next level. You get an insanely breathable upper that’s also seriously durable. The moulded TPU clip equals total support for side-to-side movements. You also get one piece Flow cushioning in the midsole. It absorbs shocks and returns energy - so you can grind out more reps in less time. 

The best all round training shoes need to combine the bounce and lightness of cardio shoes, with the stable, secure ground contact of weight lifting shoes. 

Meet the UA Project Rock Shoes. We’ve used our game changing UA TriBase™ tech in the sole. It helps maximise ground contact and flexibility when lifting. At the same time, you get a UA Clone upper for an ultra-precise fit that expands & contracts for seamless comfort and support. The use of UA HOVR™ cushioning reduces impact, returns energy and helps propel you forward.

Churning out the miles on a treadmill? Then you’re going to need a pair of proper running shoes. Your best option is to choose road running shoes, since they have the best cushioning and most suitable traction for running on a smooth treadmill surface. Treadmills naturally offer a little flex when your foot strikes, so you don’t need tons of heel cushioning in your treadmill running shoes. 

The UA Infinite Pro has the perfect amount of support and new, springy UA HOVR+ cushioning to keep your legs feeling fresh for mile after mile on the treadmill. 

Every single Under Armour gym shoe is built to help you train better. We are continually innovating with new technologies, materials and fabrics that help you work out more productively, securely and effectively. Browse our range to find some of the best workout shoes for men and women. 

And it’s not just about the footwear. We also create tough, innovative performancewear for men, women and youth, to help you grind harder, stronger and longer.