using running shoes at the gym?

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Question:

hi ho, i just joined my school’s gym & they require clean shoes to be worn. the only clean shoes i own are my next (new) pair of NB 830’s that i use for running. any problems using running shoes for other (read gym) purposes? i used to own crosstraining shoes but they wore out… and i’d rather not invest in a new pair if i can avoid it. thanks for any input nina

Response:

Nina: I have a feeling that running shoes may not hold up very well in the gym. But I am sure this will depend on what you will do while wearing those shoes. Basketball? Handball/racquetball? Probably they will disintegrate. I think the forces on shoes form activities like that will be a bit much. If your gym activity is to sit around listening to tunes and looking like a gym rat, I think the NBs will be just fine. But we all know you, and we know that this is not you. You might have to get some shoes. Brian Jones

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – hi ho, i just joined my school’s gym & they require clean shoes to be worn. the only clean shoes i own are my next (new) pair of NB 830’s that i use for running. any problems using running shoes for other (read gym) purposes? i used to own crosstraining shoes but they wore out… and i’d rather not invest in a new pair if i can avoid it. thanks for any input nina

Response:

i’m no expert, Nina, but i did injure myself once (ankle sprain) by playing basketball in running shoes rather than the appropriate court shoes. if you will just be lifting weights or using aerobic machines, i don’t see how the type of shoe will matter much. Cam

Response:

i just joined my school’s gym & they require clean shoes to be worn. the only clean shoes i own are my next (new) pair of NB 830’s that i use for running. any problems using running shoes for other (read gym) purposes? i used to own crosstraining shoes but they wore out… and i’d rather not invest in a new pair if i can avoid it.

Depends what you do to crosstrain I guess. I’m not sure I’d play racquetball or do aerobics in running shoes, but they work fine for having something on your feet to hit the stationary bikes, rowing machine, eliptical trainer, etc…. I’d just run my old pair of 830’s through the wash to make the "clean" and stuff them in my gym bag.

Response:

The typical running shoe will put you at risk for turning your ankles in sports requiring lateral motion and stops/starts. Wouldn’t do it if I were you. A pair of inexpensive court shoes (e.g., Adidas Superstars) sounds like a far better choice. – KLM

Response:

you. A pair of inexpensive court shoes (e.g., Adidas Superstars) sounds

like a Not Superstars if you value cushioning. A good mid or high top would probably be best – proper ankle support and all.

Response:

Running shoes do not support your ankle in side to side movement. If you do the following in running shoes; Aerobics, kick boxing, raquet/basketball you are asking for an ankle injury. If you’ll be working the machines then I’d be comfortable in running shoes. Andy

Response:

Thanks to evceryone – guess I should’ve been a bit more specific. Yup – just weight training and a couple cardio machines. Nothing wild. I’d just run my old pair of 830’s through the wash to make the "clean" and stuff them in my gym bag.

You have a point, but (a) I don’t own a washing mashine (yet) and (b) I don’t want to have to wash my shoes after every run and/or before every visit to the gym. Thanks again nina

Response:

Hey Nina… if you’re just doing weight training and using a few cardio machines… as you indicate… why not run an OLD pair of running shoes through the wash and keep your new NB shoes for running?

hmmm, good point. My old running shoes were sacrificed in my transatlantic move (ha!) but I might still have those old crosstrainers in Switzerland… gonna check next time I’m there. On the other hand, when I’m at the gym I usually do at least a mile or two on a treadmill, and I don’t think I’d want to do those in my old crosstrainers! So maybe sticking with the running shoes ain’t the worst thing. nina

Response:

I’d think you’d be able find gym shoes for half the price of running shoes, thereby keeping the expensive shoes lasting longer.

Response:

Why? Treadmills by nature are very cushioned and a decent crosstrainer should provide enough coushionig for a mile or 2…

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Depends what you do to crosstrain I guess. I’m not sure I’d play racquetball or do aerobics in running shoes, but they work fine for having something on your feet to hit the stationary bikes, rowing machine, eliptical trainer, etc…. Thanks to evceryone – guess I should’ve been a bit more specific. Yup – just weight training and a couple cardio machines. Nothing wild. I’d just run my old pair of 830’s through the wash to make the "clean" and stuff them in my gym bag. You have a point, but (a) I don’t own a washing mashine (yet) and (b) I don’t want to have to wash my shoes after every run and/or before every visit to the gym. Thanks again nina

But you really need to keep a pair for indoor vs. outdoor activitites. This is somewhat for safety in the gym. If the gym has carpetting, and you bring in a bit of glass on your shoe, someone mak get cut. and in the areas that are tile or linoleum, oil, or other stuff can be a problem. And this assumes that you managed to see and avoid the dog poo on your last run. So try to keep the outside shoes outside. HTH, ed

Response:

This is a matter of etiquette that varies from facility to facility. Some really don’t want you to wear "street" shoes inside. Others don’t really care. I believe the "clean shoes" is more of a European thing, although I’ve been in clubs in the US that prefer it as well. Like I said, I just recycle my old running shoes that way. Also lets me leave them in the bag I take to the gym, where my current running/racing shoes are usually loose next to the bed.

Response:

Why? Treadmills by nature are very cushioned and a decent crosstrainer should provide enough coushionig for a mile or 2…

Well … I’m gonna weigh in and disagree with that. Running is running, say I, and I wouldn’t dream of doing it in anything other than my running shoes. Grass and earth, for example, is considerably softer ("more cushioned") than asphalt or trail, but would you wear x-trainers for your morning run on that?

Response:

Considering the morning run is considerably longer and done at a 5-7 day a week rate, no. But, many crosstrainers have running shoe heritages and would work fine for a small amount of running on a cushioned surface. If I was only running 2 miles a couple days a week, almost anything would do.

Response:

On the other hand, when I’m at the gym I usually do at least a mile or two on a treadmill, and I don’t think I’d want to do those in my old crosstrainers! So maybe sticking with the running shoes ain’t the worst thing. Why? Treadmills by nature are very cushioned and a decent crosstrainer should provide enough coushionig for a mile or 2…

there was a separate thread about this a while back. The crosstrainers aren’t really right for my feet, I believe, at least not for running. For standing around and doing weights it probably doesn’t matter, but running in them doesn’t feel right. nina

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