The coronavirus pandemic has upended almost all aspects of life. There’s been a lot of uncertainty and stress, but also some welcome changes. For instance, with gyms closed and a push for social distancing, many people have discovered the joys and conveniences of working out at home.
Without having to commute to a gym or boutique fitness studio, exercise doesn’t take as much time out of your day. You can use your spare minutes to hone in on your workout routine or tend to anything else on your to-do list.
From on-demand yoga flows and live-streaming cycling classes to indoor aerobics and strength training exercises, there’s no workout you can’t do in the comfort of your humble abode. But you don’t actually need any fancy equipment to break a sweat at home. Sometimes, all it takes is a flat surface, your own body weight, and the right pair of shoes.
In any case, we rounded up the best shoes for home workouts. Here’s what you should know.
What Are the Best Shoes for Home Workouts?
There’s no shortage of athletic clothes on the market. We love throwing on fresh fitness gear and getting our sweat on as much as the next person, but the most important component of your ensemble is your footwear. Whether you’re lifting weights, walking in place, jazzercising in your living room, or embarking on an at-home boot camp regime, your shoes will protect your feet while helping you maintain proper form and prevent injury.
The best indoor workout shoes will be comfortable, breathable, and supportive. They’ll keep you light on your feet and propel you up and down, side to side, or in whatever direction your workout takes you.
Lightweight Slip-On Sneakers
Easy to get on and off and as light as a slipper, a slip-on sneaker is the perfect indoor workout shoe. The laceless active styles from Vionic have stretchy twin-gore panels on the sides and a handy finger-loop tab on the back.
Each pair has supportive podiatrist-designed orthotics built into the mesh-covered footbeds, and the flexible cushioned soles keep you buoyant on your feet. You can wear our women’s slip-on sneakers during an aerobics workout, on a stationary bike, for high-intensity interval training (HIIT), or while walking on a treadmill.
Traditional Lace-Ups
Lace-up sneakers are a go-to for all kinds of workouts, both outdoors and in. Plus, the act of lacing sneakers can be a fun way to get creative. Vionic’s classic trainers have breathable mesh uppers and standard tongues with traditional laces. As for what’s underneath your feet, you can count on durable EVA rubber outsoles and EVA orthotic midsoles for ultimate arch support, stability, and cushioning.
They’re comfy, sporty, and suitable for a wide range of workouts.¹ Whether you’re running on the treadmill, working out with a trainer through a video call, or focusing on building muscle with free weights, our lace-ups will carry you through.
Cross-Trainers
Cross-training shoes are suitable for aerobic and anaerobic exercises. This type of training shoe supports forward strides and side-to-side movements, as well as jumping, shuffling, hopping, and skipping.² This athletic crossfit shoe style is also ideal for doing pushups, mountain climbers, burpees, and moving from the floor to a standing position.
The versatile cross-trainers from Vionic have flexible midsoles and sturdy outsoles with patterned tread for extra grip. They’re designed for shock absorption while reducing slippage and keeping you light on your feet. Like all our active styles, our cross-training sneakers feature Advanced Motion System (AMS) technology, which combines our expertly designed orthotics with flexibility and cushioning.
Bungee-Lace Sneakers
Bungee-lace tennis shoes are undeniably cool and convenient. With elastic, cord-style laces over neoprene knit uppers, the styles from Vionic are ideal for home workouts. They’re easy to adjust and can be toggle-tightened with a simple tug or the click of a button. Women’s knit shoes are lightweight and breathable, making them the perfect shoes for those with an active lifestyle.
Many of our bungee sneakers have 1st Ray Technology built into the soles, which encourages better mobility and an optimal stride. This type of active shoe is great for HIIT workouts, cycling, cardio workout routines, elliptical training, and running or walking on a treadmill.
Mary Jane Trainers
Mary Jane sneakers are another excellent style of women’s workout shoes. Like traditional Mary Janes, these athletic shoes have an adjustable strap across the forefoot. This provides a cute, feminine touch while making them easy to get on and off.
Vionic’s take on these sporty-chic women’s workout shoes is a light shoe with breathable mesh uppers and a soft gore strap with velcro closure. The removable EVA footbeds are thoughtfully contoured for comfort and support. And the lightweight and flexible outsoles are just the thing for barre, pilates, aerobics, dance cardio, or a muscle-toning routine.
Sock-Fit Sneakers
Sock-fit trainers have soft knit uppers and sleek silhouettes that conform to the shape of your feet—just like a pair of socks.³ This ultra-breathable, lightweight gym trainer style usually has lace-up closure and traditional rubber outsoles.
The sock sneakers from Vionic are a lightweight shoe that has removable mesh-covered footbeds with comfortable contouring, deep heel cups, and crave-worthy cushioning. With flexible synthetic uppers and shock-absorbent outsoles, this gym shoe style is a great weightlifting shoe and is also ideal for interval workouts, indoor cross training, step aerobics, and other indoor exercises.
Walkers
If counting steps is your preferred method of burning calories (whether on a treadmill, marching in place, or jaunting around your neighborhood), we highly recommend investing in a pair of walking sports shoes. This type of athletic footwear is similar to a running shoe in that it’s designed to propel you forward. However, a walking shoe is typically a little heavier with a wide toe box to support a repetitive heel-to-toe stride.
Vionic makes some of the best walking shoes on the market, including options with traditional laces and hook-and-loop closure. Thanks to built-in Active Motion System technology, our orthotic styles offer significant stability and motion control to keep you moving forward without pain or discomfort. Keep in mind that we’ve also written about the essential stretches to do before walking that also help prevent pain and discomfort.
A thermoplastic heel counter provides increased support, while elevated midsoles ensure a smooth heel-to-toe transition. Plus, a moisture-wicking mesh lining and PU foam base minimize friction against your skin, and an antibacterial top-cloth helps keep foot odors at bay. It’s no wonder Vionic’s walking shoes for men and women received a Seal of Acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA).
Before-and-After Slides
Vionic’s unisex slide sandals are great for wearing around your home before or after yoga, barre, pilates, or another barefoot workout. With padded uppers, adjustable hook-and-loop closure, biomechanically designed footbeds, and durable TPR outsoles, these APMA-approved slides are perfect for padding around your domain.
Where to Buy the Best Orthotic Sneakers for Indoor Workouts
At Vionic, we believe uncomfortable footwear should never prevent you from moving how you want to move. That’s why we develop comfy, functional orthotic sneakers and active shoes for men and women. Our athletic styles can be worn inside your home for a broad range of activities.
From walking, cycling, and elliptical training to HIIT, weight lifting, and step aerobics, we have the best indoor workout shoes for every fitness regime. Not only are our sneakers supportive and comfortable, but they’re also cool and stylish. Whether your vibe is laid-back, sporty, feminine, or minimalist, you’ll find something that speaks to you when you browse our inventory.
Shop active shoes from Vionic today!
External sources:
1. Courtney Leiva. “The Best Shoes for Working Out Indoors”. Fab Fit Fun. Aug 28, 2020, https://fabfitfun.com/magazine/best-shoes-working-indoors/
2. Jake Smith and Emily Abbate. “12 Best Cross-Training Shoes to Crush Your Next Workout, According to Podiatrists”. Prevention. Jul 21, 2021, https://www.prevention.com/fitness/workout-clothes-gear/g22749024/best-cross-training-shoes-for-women/
3. Jake Woolf. “The Right Way to Wear Sock Sneakers”. GQ. Nov 9, 2017, https://www.gq.com/story/how-to-wear-sock-sneakers
4. Carey Reilly. “These shoes are so comfortable, I bought them in 8 different styles”. Today. Updated June 1, 2019, https://www.today.com/style/vionic-shoes-review-t154357
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