The 10 Best Gym Shoes For Women In 2024

Whether you’re training for a marathon or a recreational jogger, it’s important as a runner to keep your workouts varied.

Spending time in the gym can help enhance your flexibility, strengthen your joints and muscles, and decrease your risk of injury.

But while it might be tempting to reach for your trusty running shoes for every type of training, the fact is that they simply may not provide the support you’ll need.

Running footwear is specifically designed to support forward motion, but many gym workouts will involve lateral movement, or – for lifting – require greater stability than a running shoe can offer.

So in this article, I’m going to take a look at the 10 best gym shoes for women, and the types of workouts to which they’re most suited.

I’ll include the basic specs for each pair and the reasons I recommend them.

But before we get started, let’s run through the main features to look for when choosing shoes for your gym workouts.

What to Look for in Gym Shoes

First, consider the type of training you’ll be doing regularly.

For plyometric workouts that involve a lot of explosive movements, you’ll need durable shoes with plenty of flexibility and lateral support.

If you’ll be lifting, you’ll need the stability of a flat sole and wider heel, whereas for activities like high-impact dance aerobics you’ll need good ankle support.

If you like to switch up your routine, a good cross-training shoe might be the best option, as these are designed to support a wider range of movements and accommodate different types of workouts.

Other things to think about include:

#1: Cushioning

The level of cushioning you’ll need varies between activities.

For strength training, you’ll require very little cushioning, as stability is the priority.

But for high-impact activities like running and jumping, look for shoes with responsive cushioning to absorb the shock of impact and protect your joints from stress.

#2: Traction

Less important for shoes used in strength training, good traction is vital if your workouts involve rapid movements on slick floors (aerobic dance, for example).

To prevent injury, look for shoes with rubber outsoles featuring textured patterns or lugs to provide plenty of grip.

#3: Fit

Did you know that your feet can swell anywhere from a half to a full size when you work out?

This means you need shoes with a bit of wiggle room, ideally with a gap of around half an inch from the end of your longest toe to the end of the shoe.

The toebox should be wide enough to give your feet room to spread out, too, especially if you plan to lift weights and need to splay your toes for balance and stability.

The 10 best Gym shoes for Women

#1. Best for Spin Classes:

TIEM Slipstream Indoor Cycling Shoes

Weight: 10.6 oz, Sizes: 5-12, Widths: Standard

Pros	Cons
SPD cleat compatibility	Cleats must be bought separately
Simple slip-on design	A touch snug for wider feet
Comfortable EVA midsoles for off-bike wear	No arch support

The best gym shoes for women who love indoor cycling, TIEM’s Slipstream shoes are very comfortable, with a single-strap closure system for easy on/off, and a soft, breathable mesh toebox to keep you cool during the toughest classes.

The real highlight, though, is the recessed cleat assembly, which means you can jump off your bike and go straight to another class without changing your shoes!

#2. Perfect for the Treadmill:

Brooks Ghost 15 Neutral Running Shoe

Weight: 8.8 oz, Sizes: 5-13, Widths: Narrow, Standard, Wide

Pros	Cons
Stable feel	Padded upper can feel slightly warm
Highly cushioned but flexible	Tongue is not gusseted
Huge range of colors

These are the best gym shoes for women who enjoy treadmill workouts, with neutral support and lightweight, energizing cushioning to absorb impact and help you power through the miles.

The soft midsole and segmented crash pad ensure easy transitions from landing to toe-off, while the engineered mesh upper features generous padding on the heel tab, collar, and tongue.

#3. Best for Cross Training:

adidas Dropset Trainers

Weight: Not Stated, Sizes: 5-15.5, Widths: Standard

Pros	Cons
Roomy toebox allows you to splay your toes with ease	Not ideal for rope climbing
Great traction
Dual density midsole for versatility

Designed to perform well during strength, mobility, and agility workouts, these are some of the best women’s gym shoes I tried, with a stiffer heel for stability and soft forefoot for flexibility when you need it.

They’re environmentally friendly, too – with at least 50% of the upper made from recycled materials – and I like the additional layers that add durability and protection from friction in key areas.

#4. Best Gym Shoes for Women who Overpronate:

ASICS Gel-Kayano 28

Weight: 9.1 oz, Sizes: 5-12, Widths: Narrow, Standard, Wide

Pros	Cons
Great support with no medial post	Heel is a little shallow
Responsive midsole	Can feel a bit warm for extended workouts
Durable AHAR Plus Outsole

If you have flat feet, you’ll love the firm foam arch support in these popular shoes that provides unmatched stability for smoother movements in the gym.

I also found the rearfoot and forefoot gel cushioning very effective in absorbing impact and protecting my joints.

Flexible and breathable, they feature a super-thick padded tongue and a 4.9mm thick Ortholite insert for a comfortable feel under foot.

#5. Great for Walking:

Hoka Clifton 9

Weight: 7.3 oz, Sizes: 5-12, Widths: Standard, Wide

Pros	Cons
Durable, flexible rubber outsole	None!
Gusseted tongue
Flared Achilles tab to prevent irritation

I’ve chosen these as the best gym shoes for women who regularly walk on the treadmill because they are incredibly well-cushioned yet lightweight enough to see you comfortably through many miles.

I’m also a big fan of Hoka’s early-stage Meta-Rocker technology in the sole which supports forward motion and allows for smooth, fast transitions from heel to forefoot.

#6. Best Gym Shoes for Women Needing Versatility:

On Cloud X3

Weight: 7.1 oz, Sizes: 5-11, Widths: Standard

Pros	Cons
Good lateral support	Unsuitable for heavy lifting
3 layer mesh upper for breathability	Slightly narrow fit
Wide platform for stability

If you only want to buy one pair of shoes for almost all your gym workouts, then I seriously recommend checking out the Cloud X3 from Swiss brand On!

I found they performed well on the treadmill, gave me the flexibility I needed for HIIT workouts, and the stability for body-weight strength training and light-to-moderate lifting.

They are also exceptionally lightweight and look pretty good, too, making them ideal for use as a daily trainer both inside and outside the gym.

#7. Best Gym Shoes for Women on a Budget:

Under Armour Charged Assert 9

Weight: 8.15 oz, Sizes: 5-12, Widths: Standard, Wide

Pros	Cons
Mesh upper with leather overlays for stability	Could be more breathable
Soft, comfortable EVA sockliner	Heel collar may rub
Outsole reinforced with rubber in key areas for durability and flexibility

I wasn’t hopeful of finding a budget-friendly shoe versatile enough for a range of activities in the gym, so Under Armour’s Charged Assert 9 came as a nice surprise.

It features the brand’s ‘Charged Cushioning’ for superb shock absorption, feels flexible during agility workouts, and stable enough for some light lifting, too.

I also found the toebox comfortably roomy, allowing my toes to splay when jumping and for balance during strength workouts.

#8. Best for Cardio Workouts:

Rykä Vivid RZX

Weight: 8.4 oz , Sizes: 5-12, Widths: Standard, Wide

Pros	Cons
Affordable	Inconsistent sizing
Nice choice of colors	Could use a little more cushioning
Grippy outsole with flex grooves

These are flexible, lightweight, and supportive, making them some of the best gym shoes for women who enjoy aerobic or dance-style workouts involving pivoting and lateral movements.

What’s more – unlike some women’s shoes that are simply sized down versions of men’s – Rykä shoes are specifically engineered for the unique shape, muscle movement, and build of a woman’s foot.

#9. Best Gym Shoes for Women Who Lift:

Inov-8 F-Lite G 300

Weight: 10.5 oz , Sizes: 6.5-11, Widths: Standard

Pros	Cons
Sock-like fit	May need to size down if your feet are narrow
Graphene-enhanced sole for durability
Comfortably wide forefoot

The Graphene Powerheel in the F-Lite G 300s provides the stable foundation you need when lifting heavy, which is where they shine and why they were my top pick in this category.

But I found them great all-rounders, too – they provide 360° midfoot protection against abrasion for rope climbing, have a fantastically grippy outsole for fast-paced workouts, and a wrap-around cage that provides the support you need during lateral movements.

#10. Best Gym Shoes for Women Overall:

 Nike Metcon 8 Training Shoes

Weight: 12.4 oz , Sizes: 5-12.5, Widths: Standard

Pros	Cons
Perfect combination of stability and flexibility	Fit is slightly narrow
Lightweight mesh upper with textured overlays for durability	Unsuitable for running
Option to customize your design

Its name a combination of the words ‘metabolic’ and ‘conditioning’, the fabulous Metcon 8 has it all – a wide, flat heel to evenly distribute your weight for strength-based moves, plenty of flexion for cardio intervals, and responsive Nike React foam cushioning to absorb shock.

It’s also grippy from every angle, with rubber wrapping around your arch for rope climbs and rubber tread for excellent traction.

I love the handy extra details, too, including the lace lock system to stop you from tripping and the handstand clip at the heel to minimize drag during wall exercises.

The best Gym Shoes for Women: Key Takeaways

Choosing the best gym shoes for your needs really depends on the type of activity you prefer, whether it’s indoor cycling, weightlifting, aerobic training, or a combination of them all!

I hope you’ve found this guide useful in picking suitable shoes for your gym workouts and that you enjoy a boost to your comfort and performance when you put them through their paces!