Weightlifting Shoes VS. Gym Shoes: Pros and Cons PLUS My Recommendations
Olympic weightlifting shoes are the only must-have pieces of equipment for training, however, if you don’t know why, it can seem like a big investment. In this article, I outline the three main benefits of Olympic weightlifting shoes, as well as give my top recommendations that will last you 5+ years!
1) Increased Heel Height
One of the key benefits of Olympic weightlifting shoes is their raised heel, which effectively increases your ankle’s range of motion. This makes it easier to get into a deeper squat and maintain an upright torso at the bottom of the squat, and as the sport is almost exclusively squatting in some form, this is incredibly valuable.
2) Non-Compressible Sole
Another huge benefit of weightlifting shoes is the non-compressible sole. This, compared to a normal gym shoe, which is often cushy and highly compressible, allows for more force production on ALL of your lifts. To produce power, we must push through the ground, or a solid surface on the ground. With the cushy sole, we would first have to compress the sole before generating any significant amount of power, which is why the solid sole on a weightlifting shoe makes such a big difference. Stop lifting on sponges and trade them out for a solid shoe!
3) Increased Lateral Support
Another major benefit of Olympic weightlifting shoes is the increased support they provide. Lifting shoes are made with sturdy, supportive construction with a wider sole and straps as well as laces that help prevent rolling the ankle or slipping on either side of the shoe. Compared to a normal gym shoe or even a flat-sole shoe like converse or vans, the ankle will be MUCH more stable during the lift, particularly for split jerks, where you are most likely to slip side to side. This increased stability reduces the risk of injury and allows you to be more confident going for heavy lifts.
Which Weightlifting Shoes Are Best?
A few things I look for in a good weightlifting shoe are a 1” heel, durability, and maybe aesthetics if the first two are met. The shoes I have found to be both widely available and meet the above criteria are the Nike Romaleo 2’s if you can find them in your size, but the 4’s are great as well. The Nike Savaleo is a great budget-friendly version with all the same features as the Romaleos, with a little less durability. I’ve had my 2’s for 8 years now, and I’ve heard great things from athletes who have bought the 4’s and Savaleos. Another great option is the Reebok Legacy Lifter, which has a 1” heel and is extremely durable and aesthetic. I’ve included links to each of these below!
Hopefully, this helped you choose the best shoes for your training! If you have any questions, feel free to drop them in the comment section!
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