Started working out? Understand these key points and how to shop for the best gym shoes for beginners

Starting your fitness routine feels easier with supportive gym shoes that offer comfort, grip, stability, and confidence for daily training sessions.

A beginner training in comfortable gym shoes during a workout, focusing on stability, support, and confident movement inside the gym. (canva.com)

By Neha Ravi Khandelwal

Neha Khandelwal
Content Lead, HT Travel | Travel & Lifestyle Journalist
With over 10 years of content writing experience, Neha Khandelwal is a lifestyle journalist and the Content Lead at HT Travel. She specialises in destinations, hotels, aviation, luggage, travel gear, and practical guides that help readers plan smarter and travel better. Her work combines first-hand experience, expert insights, and extensive research to create stories that are informative, useful, and easy to follow.

Career Journey & Experience
Neha began her writing career as a freelance journalist in 2010 before entering mainstream media with The Times of India in 2022. She later joined Hindustan Times, where she has written extensively across travel, lifestyle, home, and consumer trends. Her professional background extends beyond journalism. Before moving into digital media full-time, she spent nearly a decade in interior design, managing residential projects from concept to execution. She also trained in visual merchandising with Shoppers Stop and Pantaloons and worked with women-led startups across design and operations. These experiences continue to shape her storytelling, especially in how she evaluates hotels, design-led stays, hospitality spaces, and travel experiences.

A naturally curious learner, Neha has completed beginner certifications in pottery, scuba diving, baking, creative writing, and other creative pursuits. She has read more than 2,000 books, trained in Bharatanatyam for 8 years, and ghostwritten a book on Ladakh tourism.

Subject Expertise
Travel is at the heart of Neha's work. She covers destinations, hotels, airlines, luggage, packing strategies, travel accessories, and emerging travel trends through a mix of reporting, product testing, and conversations with industry experts. A frequent traveller herself, she approaches every trip with a journalist's curiosity and a planner's mindset, focusing on experiences that readers can realistically recreate. From choosing the right cabin bag to decoding hotel openings and destination trends, her writing prioritises practical advice over promotional claims. Her background in interior design also gives her a distinct perspective on architecture, hospitality design, boutique hotels, luxury stays, and thoughtfully designed spaces.

Education & Professional Background
Neha holds a Master's degree in Interior Design. Her early experience in interior design, visual merchandising, and design operations gives her a unique understanding of aesthetics, functionality, and user experience, adding depth to her coverage of hotels, resorts, and travel spaces.

Editorial Philosophy
"As an avid, research-driven traveller, my goal is simple. To answer the questions you actually have before booking a trip. I cut through the promotional noise with honest reporting and expert insights. Making travel planning seamless, smart, and reliable so you always know where to go next."

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Walking into a gym for the first time can feel exciting, but the right shoes make a bigger difference than most people expect. I have seen many beginners spend money on flashy trainers, only to realise they lack the support needed for basic workouts. A good pair of gym shoes should feel comfortable from the first wear, provide a stable base for strength training, and offer enough cushioning for light cardio. The goal is not to buy the most expensive option, but to choose footwear that suits your workout routine and helps you move comfortably as your fitness habits evolve.

5 best gym shoes for men

Best overall gym shoe: Puma Fuse 3.0 or Puma SwiftPulse Sneaker

Puma has built a strong reputation in the training category. The Fuse 3.0 and SwiftPulse Trainer offer a stable base for strength exercises without feeling too stiff during cardio.

Key features

• Low-profile midsole
• Wide toe box for better balance
• 4 mm heel to toe drop
• PumaGrip rubber outsole for excellent traction
• Durable and breathable mesh upper

Best for

Beginners looking for one shoe that can handle strength training, functional workouts and light cardio in a single session.

1. Puma Mens SwiftPulse Trainer Eucalyptus-Flat Dark Gray-Fizzy Apple Training Shoe - 10 UK (31111003)

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Best for cardio and strength workouts: Skechers Go Run Consistent

If your workout includes treadmill walks, cycling, light jogging and machine-based strength training, this shoe offers a comfortable balance of cushioning and support.

Key features

• Ultra Light midsole cushioning
• Air Cooled Goga Mat insole
• Lightweight construction
• Breathable upper

Best for

Anyone starting with a mix of cardio, resistance machines and bodyweight exercises.

2. Skechers Mens Go Run Consistent Black Running Shoe - 7 UK (8 US) (894178ID-BBK)

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Best for strength training: Reebok Nano Court or Nano series

The Nano range has been a favourite among gym enthusiasts for years. It offers a firm, stable platform that helps improve balance during lifting exercises.

Key features

• Floatride Energy Foam forefoot
• Wide TPU heel clip
• Flat outsole for better stability
• Durable training-focused design

Best for

Beginners planning to focus on squats, deadlifts, lunges and overhead presses.

3. Reebok Men Nano Court Training Shoes

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Best budget pick: Campus First or Boldfit Gym Shoes

If you are trying the gym for the first time, there is no need to spend a fortune. These affordable options cover the basics and perform well for everyday workouts.

Key features

• Lightweight knitted upper
• EVA or Phylon sole
• Flat grip outsole
• Slip-resistant design

Best for

Dumbbell workouts, resistance machines, stretching sessions and general fitness routines.

4. Campus Men's First Running Shoes L.Gry/BLK - 7UK/India

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Best premium training shoe: Under Armour Commit TR 4

This shoe feels secure from the moment you lace it up. The supportive midfoot design helps reduce unwanted foot movement during dynamic exercises.

Key features

• Charged Cushioning midsole
• Leather midfoot support panel
• Durable outsole with reliable grip
• Stable heel platform

Best for

Anyone planning to progress from beginner workouts to more demanding gym sessions.

Best Premium Pick

5. UA Charged Commit TR 4

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5 best gym shoes for women

Best overall gym shoe: Puma Pure XT or Puma Defy Trainer

These shoes combine flexibility with excellent side-to-side support, making them a great choice for gym sessions that include functional movements.

Key features

• ProFoam EVA midsole
• Rubber traction zones
• Breathable upper
• Stable platform

Best for

Strength training, circuit workouts and beginner fitness classes.

6. Puma Mens Pure XT Fresh Res Black-Castlerock Training Shoe - 10 UK (31210601)

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Best for HIIT and cardio: Nike In Season TR or Nike Legend Essential

Nike's training shoes offer a wider heel than standard running shoes, helping improve stability during strength exercises while staying comfortable for cardio.

Key features

• Wide heel base
• Flexible forefoot grooves
• Breathable mesh upper
• Good grip for indoor training

Best for

Gym sessions that combine cardio, bodyweight exercises and strength training.

7. Nike W Legend Essential 3 NN-Black/White-Iron GREY-DM1119-001-8UK

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Best for comfort: Skechers Graceful or Skechers Go Walk Workout

These shoes are ideal if you are easing into fitness and want extra comfort during long workout sessions.

Key features

• Memory Foam insole
• Lightweight shock-absorbing midsole
• Flexible outsole
• Breathable design

Best for

Walking, elliptical workouts, beginner strength training and low-impact exercise.

8. Skechers Women Graceful-Get Connected Gray/Coral Sneakers-5 UK/India (38 EU) (8 US) (12615-GYCL)

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Best budget option: Avant or Sparx Women's Gym Shoes

These budget-friendly trainers offer better stability than many entry-level running shoes, making them suitable for beginner gym routines.

Key features

• Stable EVA sole
• Slip-resistant outsole
• Breathable mesh upper
• Lightweight construction

Best for

Machine workouts, light strength training and daily fitness sessions.

Best Budget Pick

9. SPARX Women's SX0167L Dark Grey Green Mint Running Shoes 6 (SX0167LDGGM0006)

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Best premium pick: Reebok Nano or Reebok Flexagon Energy

If you want one shoe that will continue to perform well as your fitness level improves, this is an excellent long-term investment.

Key features

• Flexweave upper
• Lightweight EVA cushioning
• Flat heel profile
• Stable outsole for lifting

Best for

Strength training, functional workouts and regular gym sessions.

10. Reebok Women's Flexagon Energy Tr 2.0 White/Black Training Shoes-6 UK (8.5 US) (EH3601)

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Quick buying tips before you order

Keep these points in mind while shopping online.

What to check	Why it matters
Flat outsole	A flatter sole provides better balance during strength training.
Wide heel	Improves stability during squats and lunges.
Flexible forefoot	Makes walking, warm-ups and cardio more comfortable.
Breathable upper	Helps keep your feet cool during longer workouts.
Good grip	Reduces the chance of slipping on gym floors.

A few mistakes to avoid

• Skip shoes with a heavily curved sole if strength training is your main goal.
• Running shoes are great for jogging, but are not always ideal for lifting weights.
• Leave a little room near your toes as feet naturally expand during workouts.
• Prioritise comfort and stability over style, especially if this is your first gym shoe purchase.

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Disclaimer: At Hindustan Times, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. Hindustan Times has an affiliate partnership, so we may get a part of the revenue when you make a purchase. We shall not be liable for any claim under applicable laws, including but not limited to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, concerning the products. The products listed in this article are in no particular order of priority.