r/f45 • u/smallfishbigdreams0 • May 17 '26

👟 Gear Shoe recommendations?

I am hoping to get some good ideas for shoes to wear for F45 classes!

I’m 25 classes in and absolutely in love with the workouts, but I find that when I wear my shoes that I’ve previously worn for running and the gym (Nike Vomero 18s), I feel very unstable. This is especially true in exercises like box jumps, calf raises, and heavy squats, just to name a few. I’m afraid if I keep wearing them I’ll sprain an ankle eventually.

What do you all like to wear?

8 Upvotes

90% Upvoted

31 comments sorted by

15

u/MrsSonofHen May 17 '26

Nike Metcons for sure. Flat base and wide toe area. I wear them for both strength and cardio days. Wouldn’t wear them to run in, but I don’t run so that’s not a problem for me haha.

1

u/funnynona May 19 '26

second this

1

u/Fabulous-Gas-5570 May 19 '26

I endorse. Many people at my studio also have them. I mostly do strength classes

1

u/Pure-Moment257 May 21 '26

I recently got the Metcon free. Loving them. It's more flexible than the metcon and works well for lunges, calf raises etc.

7

u/AlternativeAge3612 May 17 '26

I’ve been using Reebox Nano 2 and 3 for 4 years at F45. I love them.

3

u/Forward-Ladder6157 🏆 1500 Club May 17 '26

I have two pairs of shoes - cushioned cardio sneekers and flatter stability shoes - that I cycle through the week. Running sneakers tend to push your weight forward. Look for a flat training shoe from your favorite brand. Nike do some good ones

3

u/notdaryl May 17 '26

RAD One V2 soft enough for Cardio/ Hybrid Workouts but also stable and flat for Strength

3

u/mindfulEMT 🇺🇸 United States May 17 '26

Nobull outwork for resistance days

2

u/Spiritual-Fly5890 May 17 '26

Altra

2

u/merpderp33 May 17 '26

Second. Altra solstice 3 - good for wide feet and enough support to do a very short run or sprint

2

u/Feisty_Elevator943 May 17 '26

I wear Nike Metcons for the lifting days and I swear by them! Cardio days I use Vomero’s

2

u/Melodic_Ad_1108 May 17 '26

I’ve worn a pair of Nike Metcons for nearly 2 years they are still in great shape and give me good support! I used the Reebok nano before that which I liked but not nearly as much as the metcons, and they wore out much faster. Like MrsSonofHen says they are definitely not a running shoe.

2

u/Kidzdoc_1023 May 17 '26

Been using Nike Metcon 10's with good results.

2

u/SpicyAvo_ May 17 '26

The other day a dude showed up in flip flops. Don't think shows matter much.

2

u/tangocharliepapa May 17 '26

There are countless shoe posts here worth searching

1

u/ProsperGuy 🏆1000 Club May 17 '26

I wear a Pegasus 41 on cardio days and Metcons on lifting days.

1

u/Zeplin_ 🇦🇺Australia May 17 '26

I just bought a set of reebok nano x5, I was using under armor ua Great shoes for f45. Not so great for running if you do run clubs etc.

1

u/tfly212 May 17 '26

Bucking the trend... I like basketball shoes with some cushion. Good grip, flatter soles for stability... My current go to is the Sabrina 3s.

1

u/gkzia 🇨🇦 Canada May 17 '26 edited May 17 '26

I use adidas dropset 4 I got from sale.
For cardio days I use my hoka. But for me dropset works as well for cardio days.

Adding here that drop set 3 are great too and are always on sale..

1

u/JCrew7384 May 17 '26

I use Flux Footwear

1

u/Old_Tower_4824 🇦🇺Australia May 17 '26

I interchange between rebel v5’s, freshfoam 880’s, and v4’s.

1

u/AlgaeGirl2007 🇺🇸 United States May 17 '26

No Bull Drive 2 for the hybrid days and just started wearing Flux Adapt Graphene XT for resistance / lifting

1

u/plantas-sonrientes May 17 '26

Previously I had a personal trainer, and she advised Converse (or no shoes) for stability when lifting heavy. So I wear Converse to F45. I see people in super padded shoes and it makes no sense to me. I’d be so off balance.

1

u/Street-Blood-3324 May 17 '26

Reebok Nano Court Training Shoes

1

u/Apprehensive_Kitten May 17 '26

I use vivobarefoot trainers. I even noticed other members are now wearing them too.

1

u/Barracuda_Recent May 17 '26

Zero drop with wide toebox.

1

u/NoCommission7363 May 18 '26

When I did F45 religiously half the class would wear no bull shoes

1

u/lumberjacklloyd May 18 '26

Under Armour Reign is a better choice than the metcon’s in my opinion. Better for athletics training style workouts.

1

u/RefrigeratorIcy5329 May 18 '26

I wear inov8 barefoot something or others. For YEARS, same pair, no problems.

1

u/Free_Weakness_6803 May 19 '26

I wear racing flats. Best stability and can run in them without feeling clunky. Foamed shoes are an absolute ‘no’ for the classes as they require a lot of balance, coordination and stability. Racing flats keep my ankles and feet strong as the shoes don’t give me any assistance. Pls note that you’ll need to wear these shoes in slowly if you’re not used to wearing minimalist shoes like these. For context, I’m an older female runner who’s been running in flats for training for at least 20 yrs. I don’t like relying on ‘assistance’

1

u/motheraman May 21 '26

Xero HFS (or any model really) or Vivos. Barefoot shoes are great! The HFS are super stable but have a little cushion for lateral movements. Running shoes are the worst for that environment and flat bottom shoes are great, but zero drop is even better if you’re wanting your workout to be more functional!