Adipower vs Romaleos 2: Battle of the Weightlifting Shoes

If you ever went lifting without actually having weightlifting shoes on, it's most probable that you didn't feel any issues, and are now left wondering why should you even buy weightlifting shoes in the first place. Well, we are here to tell you that although you can safely lift in regular shoes, say Chuck Taylor's or running shoes, you will have a much better time when you lift in shoes actually made for that particular purpose.

Weightlifting shoes have many benefits to offer you, and they do quite an effective job at making you lift better. You've probably seen these shoes before when you went to the gym. These shoes are also known as Oly shoes, and if you are not familiar with them, you might think that they are some sort of odd shoes with weird big wedges. How can wearing such a shoe help you in any way? Well, experienced lifters and athletes all agree that they are a beneficial part of weightlifting, and that you really need to invest in a pair if you want to lift the best possible way.

But, if you do not want to significantly improve your weightlifting, and are only doing it casually, not wanting to grow any serious muscle, then you probably don't need a pair of weightlifting footwear in the first place. But if you lift religiously and with good, proper form and movement, and want to feel all of those lovely benefits of lifting, then by all means purchase a good pair! The shoes can also help you even if you are a beginner, you do not need to earn the right to wear them.

So, what do these shoes exactly do? Do not imagine that you will magically be stronger and more fit when you put on a pair. The sneakers have a special lifted heel, that increases the range of motion of our ankles. This means that if you struggle with squats, as an example, you will be able to squat deeper and achieve perfect form. Also, they will allow you hips to flex and extended during every Olympic movement. This means that they let you move through the whole motion needed to lift particularly heavy weights. The shoes can also help you overcome lifting heavier weights. This works because the heels of the shoes give you stable ground to push up against, generating more power as a result. Footwear that has cushions in it, like running shoes, make your feet sink into the soles and do not give you stable, firm ground. But keep in mind that weightlifting shoes are for weightlifting only, and nothing more. For example, you shouldn't do deadlifts in weightlifting shoes. This is because the shoes lift your heels, making you pull the bar from a further distance, so you'll have a harder time lifting it off the ground. But then again, some people purposely do this to help them become even stronger when deadlifting. If you do not now what you are doing, do not attempt to deadlift this way unless you have someone more experienced guide you through the motions.

If you do more than just lift when you workout, then a crossover shoe that can benefit every movement you could possibly think of would be the best for your needs. But if you lift and nothing else, then get yourself a pair and see for yourself how effective they can be!

Comfort is important because you want to be able to focus on your workout without worrying about foot injuries or dealing with blisters. Be sure you have the perfect size which will tuck around your feet and protect them while you are exercising.

As we mentioned before, do not expect that you weightlifting shoes will have any sort of cushioning. When you lift, cushioning is the last thing you need. When feet sink into the cushions, you need to use more effort to actually lift the weights, and that could be a potential problem because you could lose your proper form, and maybe even injure yourself. You should also make sure that your shoes are built properly. Any seams and stitches that you feel when putting on the shoes should be noted, and the shoe model should be discarded because those details could cause blisters and irritation. Also, make not of which material the shoes are made out of. Some will be soft right when you buy them, while most shoes will need to be broken in properly before you get to wear them normally. You should break in weightlifting shoes like you would break in any other pair of sneakers. First, walk in them around your house for a few hours, for two or three days, maybe even longer, or shorter, depending on how the shoes fit you. If they need to be stretched out even more, try putting in some newspaper until they are fully stretched, and then heat up the shoes with a hair dryer. Heat makes things expand! If not even that works, they get them to a cobbler - they are pros after all, and know just what your shoes need to stretch out!

Fit is real close to comfort. The shoes will not work well unless they are the right fit for your feet. If you have wide feet then make sure the shoes made way for that. If you have weak ankles, make sure they are high top and have plenty of ankle support. Make sure the shoes will keep your feet snug and supported in just the right way. This is just the shortened version, but if you need a guideline in choosing the correct fit for your feet, then head on down below.

How do you know that your shoes fit you perfectly when you're still in the store? Well, the first sign of a good fit is a snug fit. But not too snug! The perfect fit needs to hold onto your heels when you walk, while not squeezing and hurting your toes. There shouldn't be a lot of room between your toes and the front of the shoe either. There should be no more than 1/8-inches of room between whichever of your toes is the longest, and the end of the shoe. Your footwear needs to be wide enough for your feet as well. If you feel like your little finger is being crushed to death, and you can actually visibly see it protrude out of the shoe, it's time to go for a wider option. You shouldn't feel any pain or pinching when you walk around, even when you just buy the shoes. Yes, they will need to be broken in, but this shouldn't feel like stretching the shoe one number larger than it is. The feet shouldn't slide around your footwear when you move, and the closure system, be it laces or straps, must not squeeze you.

To make sure that you have the best possible fit, shop for the sneakers in the evening. This is when your feet will be at their largest thanks to swelling, and you do not risk feeling that the shoes are too tight around your feet when the night comes. If you bought leather sneakers, and they feel snugger than you'd like them to, but they are your size, give them a chance. Leather stretches a lot, and softens the more you use it, so they will eventually fit you to the tee. But if your pair is synthetic and it feels snug, you've bought the wrong size! Synthetic pairs will not stretch out. Make sure that you simulate lifting motions when you are just trying out the pair - this will give you an idea of what you need. Also, remember to wear socks! You won't be going to the gym barefoot.

One more thing to consider is the closure system. Most lifting shoes come with one strap. Some have two straps, making them more secure. The straps will hug your feet around the upper portion of the tongue. This strapping style gives your feet more security, allowing your ankles to move more without any injuries. Weightlifting shoes will never be simple slip-on, as they have a tendency to slip off, and do not feel so stable. The straps will keep your feet locked into place, preventing them from slipping out or moving around. This will make lifting easier and more secure. Velcro is usually what locks down your feet, although the hook and loop system can be seen too. Make sure that your lifting shoes strap you in firmly and securely!

Athletic shoes come in all shapes and sizes but most weightlifting shoes come with a bit of a heel. If this is something you need to help with stability and support while you are doing your lifting, then you will want to pay attention to this and find a shoe which the perfect size heel that is going to help your workout.

The heel height can vary greatly, but the standard height is .75". Still, some athletes like to put inserts in their shoes to make the heels even higher than this. As we said before, the heels help you reach greater squatting depth while keeping your torso upright. If you struggle to find the perfect heel height for you, there are some things you should consider before actually choosing your height.

The length of your legs and torso are two key factors when determining how high your heels need to be. Study your body in great detail and deduce whether your legs and torso are long or shirt. If you are unsure, ask a more experienced person or a coach for help. Sometimes, both the legs and torso can be long or short, or it can be a combination of both. If your legs are slender and long, you need a heel that is at least .75" or higher. Taller people need more effort to squat deeply with the proper form. If your legs are short, however, you will need less effort to achieve great squatting depth. Start with a .75" heel and work your way from there.

Now the torso length. A longer torso has the tendency to lean forward and curve, which is the last thing you need happening when you lift. If your legs are short but your torso is on the long side, then you can go for a shorter heel. If you are long in both areas, go for taller heels. A short torso makes it easy to stay upright at full depth. Long legs and a short torso need higher heels, while short everything can use whichever heel height they want!

Weightlifting is an intense rough workout and needs a shoe that can stand up to the challenge. Even if it costs a little extra, having a shoe that is going to last is worth the investment. Look for quality materials, excellent stitching and durable eyelets.

We will also let you know when should you start to think about buying a new pair. generally, you probably won't be using your weightlifting sneakers for anything else besides weightlifting, so it's unlikely that they will break down very fast. In fact, they may last longer than any kid of shoe you own! Yet, there are still some things to look out for if you are trying to figure out whether its time to say goodbye or not. If your shoes are starting to crack where the heel meets the shoe, or if the glue is coming off, then it's definitely time to search for a new pair. If they are still under warranty, consider sending them off to their manufacturer and ask for a replacement. Although a cracked heel may not influence your lifts right away, it could still be ineffective when you need to lift heavy weights. Let's switch our focus from the heel to the strap area. The straps are the security you need when you lift, and if they start to fall off you might as well get a new pair. Sometimes, the loop on the shoe can break, or the Velcro could start losing its grip. This is all something you can fix by a simple trip to the cobbler though. But make sure to let them know to make the strap tight!

Weightlifting shoes have something that shoe manufacturers refer to as a cemented construction, AKA stuck-on construction. This does look just like it sounds - it's just one layer of shoe piled onto a different layer, with some sort of glue between them that keeps them together. This makes sense when all things are considered, but when the glue starts to peel off the soles may detach, and what good is a shoe without its soles? Pay special attention to the inside of the shoes and the front, which is where moisture will likely build-up and cause problems. To make them last longer, use them just for lifting, and nothing else!