The choice of shoes for weightlifting or CrossFit must be approached wisely, because the wrong shoes can significantly impair your performance in exercises. I'm not kidding, it's true. The thing is that barbells are designed to increase stability when lifting the barbell, improve mobility (if it is lacking) and increase “feedback” with the platform. This is all very important.
Of course, I’m not saying that these shoes are mandatory, you can do without them, but if you are serious about training and want to reach a new level of your training, then you can’t do without weightlifting shoes. There are three main components that make this shoe different from ordinary running shoes.
Heel toe
The heel in the weightlifting shoes is designed to maintain (improve) the mobility of the foot joints, and it also allows you to maintain a more stable position on the platform. The stable position of the athlete's legs on the platform plays a vital role in the successful completion of the exercise.
Heel height can vary from 0.7 to 2.54 centimeters. Each athlete selects the height of the heel in weightlifting shoes depending on his astrometric indicators and the sport in which he is involved.
Long legs Short legs Long femur / Short lower leg Short femur / Long lower leg Long torso < 1.9 cm = 1.9 cm < 1.9 cm Short torso < 1.9 cm > 1.9 cm =1.9 cm.
In addition, the additional heel height supports the athlete in various positions with optimal posture angles (it is easier to hold the chest, the knees do not collapse, etc.)
How to choose weightlifting weights?
Weightlifting bars are used in training in weightlifting, powerlifting and CrossFit, as well as in bodybuilding. Weightlifting weightlifting shoes should be chosen with a hard sole and a heel 1.5-2 cm high. Shoes should have a hard top and lacing along the entire length. The material is thick leather, check all the seams - they should be tight, the sole should be stitched and taped. The lacing must be strong; Velcro fastening is used for additional fixation. You should be comfortable in weightlifting shoes, you should choose shoes based on the size of your feet, your feet should fit snugly, and the soles should not sag or be shock-absorbing. The heel can be made of leather or wood, or special polyurethane. The most popular brands of weightlifting bars are Adidas, Nike and Reebok. These weights cost about $300-500 and not everyone can afford them. If you don’t have money for expensive weightlifting weights, I advise you to pay attention to domestic analogues. In Almaty, you can buy high-quality locally produced leather weightlifting weightlifting bars for only 70-100 dollars, i.e. 4-5 times cheaper than expensive foreign brands. Weightlifting bars for CrossFit are not suitable for weightlifting, since CrossFit does not aim to lift a barbell of maximum weight. In addition, CrossFit athletes perform other exercises that do not involve lifting weights, such as sprinting and long-distance running. Therefore, CrossFit weights have slight shock-absorbing properties, so that the athlete can comfortably do snatches and pushes, as well as run quickly.
Heel material
Regular running shoes have a rubber heel, which is not ideal for quick barbell lifts. Barbells, unlike sneakers, are most often available in four heel options:
- Ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) is a very lightweight material with good shock-absorbing properties.
- Thermopolyurethane (TPU) – lightweight and durable, resistant to abrasion and compression
- Leather – lightweight, providing reliable connection with the platform
- Wood based – Excellent grip and increased stability
Next, based on these three components, I selected the most suitable shoes for a certain type of training.
Adidas weightlifting shoes: photos, advantages
When working with a barbell, it is important to protect the athlete from accidental injuries and ensure high-quality performance of various exercises. For those who professionally engage in strength sports, it is necessary to train with weightlifting weights. Moreover, the choice of such sports shoes should be approached consciously.
Adidas weight lifters were recognized as the best in 2020. They meet three main criteria that apply to specialized footwear today:
- High quality materials. The last thing an athlete should be concerned about when lifting weights is that their shoes might tear at the seams when they least expect it.
- High heel and treaded sole. The enlarged heel prevents the athlete from falling back along with the barbell, reduces the risk of damage to the ankle ligaments, and the sole provides ideal grip on the floor.
- Stability in everything - from frequent lacing on the outside and special straps that secure the foot on the inside, to the tread pattern on the sole.
Adidas weightlifting shoes are designed specifically for weightlifting. With these shoes, athletes can get the most out of their work.
Squat suit
When performing squats in weightlifting, an athlete has three weak points: the ankle, back and knees. They can be protected by also using powerlifting equipment during the exercise: weights, belt and bandages. However, the technique of performing squats in powerlifting creates other weak points.
Changing the position of the legs puts additional stress on the groin area. If the barbell is very heavy, then at the lowest point of the exercise there is a chance that the bottom will sag greatly, which can lead to serious ligament injury.
It is to prevent these injuries that a special overall made of hard material with good strong seams is used.
Such powerlifting equipment tightly grips the athlete's back, pelvis and upper thigh, reducing mobility of the hip joint. Thanks to this, during the drawdown, not only the athlete’s strength acts, but also the elastic force of the material, which helps prevent injury and improve the powerlifter’s results.
Reebok Men's Crossfit Lifter Plus 2.0 Weightlifting Shoes
Hi all! Good day!
Today the heroes of the review are cool weightlifting sneakers from Reebok.
What are weight lifters and why are they needed at all? Weightlifting shoes are specialized shoes for those who engage in weightlifting (any sports related to strength exercises). These sneakers are especially important for those who squat with a barbell. There have been cases when a strength athlete injured his spine only because his sneakers had too soft a sole. That is, when squatting with a barbell, for example, 200 kilograms, there is always a risk that the shoe will not hold up, the heel will sag and the leg will lead. At the same time, displacement of the vertebrae is already a “matter of technology”... Therefore, weightlifters are very scrupulous about the choice of shoes and, sometimes, with their last money they buy reliable sneakers from trusted brands, and not something like sports shoes from Aliexpress.
Here's what the professionals say:
The main task of regular sneakers is adequate cushioning of the foot and uniform distribution of body weight. But in powerlifting this is all useless. During a squat, the weightlifter pushes off the ground, and then a counterforce comes from the support. What happens if your feet are wearing typical sneakers with shock-absorbing properties? In a closed mechanical system, an object appears that steals part of the kinetic energy. In addition, they are much more difficult to control body position. And the knees often fall inward, and in principle, the athlete is not entirely confident on his feet. That is why it is recommended to use professional shoes with hard soles and extra-thick heels. With a slightly raised heel, the weightlifter occupies the most ergonomic position, thanks to which he can push off with both the heel and the middle of the arch of the foot, which is much more effective.
Barbells with heels from “those times”
Modern weight lifters
Well, that's it, in a nutshell about weightlifting bars and why 80 bucks were spent on the original and 30 on the fake. For those who know how often the cost of goods on Amazon changes, it will not be news at all that you can actually buy shoes there for 80 dollars instead of the stated 140-240 American money. And naturally, seeing such a discount, you simply cannot pass by)))
Reebok weightlifting shoes were purchased after carefully studying online reviews and monitoring prices for several months. Therefore, I can confidently say that at the time of purchasing the sneakers, Amazon had the most attractive price for them, namely $83.28. Product link – https://www.amazon.com/Reebok-Crossfit-Lifter-Training-Excellent/dp/B00RW20W7A/ref=sr_1_1.
The review is being done after several months of intensive use of the shoes in the gym. So, don’t be offended, but the sole has already acquired a slightly unaesthetic appearance (there is some dirt, dust, etc.) - but this is a working issue, for which I apologize in advance.
The ordered Reebok Crossfit Lifter Plus 2.0 sneakers arrived three weeks after payment. They were packed in a branded box (I'm sorry, but it didn't survive). For a foot 29.5 cm we took US Sizes 11.5; Euro Sizes 45; CM 29.5. There are no surprises here - what you ordered is what arrived.
The appearance of the sneakers, naturally, did not disappoint - the aggressive red and black coloring, reinforced heel, leather toe, strong Velcro and all other details of the shoes only pleased and inspired confidence that the weightlifters would serve their intended purpose perfectly.
One of the unique properties of Reebok weightlifting shoes is the U-Form system, which allows you to create an internal profile of the shoe that is identical to the anatomical features of a particular foot. It works as follows: you need to warm up your sneakers thoroughly (a home oven or an industrial hair dryer will do), and then put them on. After these manipulations, the weights fit tightly around the leg, stretching a little if necessary, “remembering” the desired relief. And that's it, now your sneakers are really yours - they are like a second skin on your leg. Due to this feature, many recommend buying weightlifting weights a little smaller than the usual size (literally half a size). And also, probably for the same reason, specialized shoes are a bit narrow. Yes, when I first put on the sneakers, there was some discomfort - they pressed a little. But, after warming it up with a hairdryer, the shoes pleasantly “hugged” the foot, and really began to fit “like a glove” - the discomfort disappeared without a trace, the foot became cozy and comfortable, as if it had been there.
The front part of the sneakers is made of natural, rough, thick leather. Inside, a softening lining is inserted under the skin to wick away moisture when necessary.
The Reebok Crossfit Lifter Plus 2.0 is secured with strong non-slip laces and two additional Velcro straps.
The sole of the weightlifting shoes is made of three parts and is designed so that the grip on any surface is as reliable as possible. Well, small grooves in the forefoot help make the sole flexible.
The insole is soft, comfortable, and slightly shock-absorbing.
The heel of the sneaker is reinforced and weighted, which is very important for heavy loads. It is believed that this model of sneakers was developed by cross-fitters themselves for cross-fitters. That is why the shoes are so well thought out and comfortable. Of course, the sneakers are absolutely not suitable for normal walking or running - they are too heavy and clunky. But for weightlifters - just what you need! Sustainability at the highest level.
Our athlete, who received the Reebok Crossfit Lifter Plus 2.0 weightlifting weights, is not only happy, he’s super happy! He says that they are much more comfortable than similar Adidas models. He also notes the excellent quality of workmanship - absolutely everything in the sneakers fits perfectly and there is nothing superfluous.
So, with all responsibility I declare that the shoes really work out every cent spent on them. And even at a higher cost, you can buy sneakers without hesitation. Well, if you find the same ones at a discount - and in general, chic, shine, beauty!
Thank you for reading/watching the review.
See you again!
