Best Strength Shoes for Speed and Strength Training
If you are interested in increasing your vertical jump and calf strength then getting yourself the perfect fit for the strength shoes should be on your agenda. Continuous use of the strength shoes can make a huge difference as compared to training using regular shoes. The strength shoe looks like a normal sneaker but with an added platform to increase your vertical height. This pair of training sneakers is a fixture in sports that help athletes looking to increase their vertical height and strength do so with ease and less straining. Continuous use of these training shoes can add 5-10 inches of your vertical jump and calf muscles. Also, the shoes can significantly increase your speed, explosion, power, and coordination. Additionally, this shoe allows you to work and strengthen your Achilles ligaments and calves with a lower risk to injure your knees and legs.
Best Strength Shoes for Basketball and Cross-training
1. ALTRA Women's AL0A4QTN Solstice XT Cross-Training Shoe
This cross-trainer is the most ideal if you want to combine short runs and sprints with your strength training days, then you may want to consider ALTRA Solstice XT shoe.
This shoe is designed lightweight yet robust enough to take on any workout routine you like. The shoe's mesh upper boasts a rubber cage to ensure maximum support and protection of your ankles during lateral movements.
It has a foot-shaped toe-box that allows your toes to spread out and relax while the big toe stays in a straight position to ensure maximum stability and power. The strength shoe is designed using Altra's Fit4Her technology, meaning it's customized to fit the unique shape of your feet perfectly.
The insole has a balanced cushioning that helps place your forefoot and heel at the same level to encourage proper foot alignment and low-impact landing. The midsole has gird-like grooves that let your feet to flex while remaining lighter, so you may achieve higher speeds and outstanding performance.
Pros
- Balance footbed cushioning
- High Abrasion EVA
- Lightweight
- abrasion-resistant upper
- Athletic rubber outsole
- Breathable engineered mesh promotes proper ventilation
Cons
- May run large for some
2. New Balance Men's Minimus Prevail V1 Cross Trainer
Coming in at only 8.7 ounces, this Minimus Prevail V1 by New Balance is an incredibly lightweight yet functional cross-trainer for all your workout needs.
This shoe comes loaded with some impressive features and robust construction to provide enhanced durability and deliver outstanding performance.
To start with, the shoe features a perforated knit upper, including TPU fiber, to ensure maximum breathability while performing intensive workouts. The shoe has a 4mm toe-to-heel Vibram outsole drop, giving you the much-needed ankle mobility and calf flexibility while also providing adequate cushioning.
The REVlite foam midsole offers you a lightweight ride without sacrificing durability or underfoot cushioning and stability. The Vibram rubber outsole provides adequate grip, especially with lateral movements.
Pros
- High-quality, durable construction
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Available in a range of attractive colorways
- Great for weight-lifting and speed training
- It has TPU External Heel Stabilizer
- Breathable upper helps keep feet cool throughout
Cons
- Not most ideal for wider feet
3. Nike Women's Air Zoom Superrep HIIT Class Shoe Women's Bq7043-550
If you're looking for a fantastic shoe for all-purpose workouts, then you can't go wrong with this Nike Women's Air Zoom Superrep HIIT Class Shoe.
One of the shoe's standout features is its unique, funky design with a slip sole that's perfectly-sized to fit a resistance band while working out at home. The split- sole design plus the side-arc also encourages multidirectional movement.
This shoe's forefoot features two Zoom Air units that are remarkably responsive and lightweight. The two units help to absorb impact while you're jumping sprinting or lunging. They also offer ample cushioning as you actively recover between strength-training sets.
The heel has Culshon foam that also ensures maximum shock-absorption and cushioning during lifts and high-intensity reps. It also has a plate that runs from your forefoot to the heel part to keep your feet properly aligned and stable for action.
Pros
- Stylish, unique design
- Lightweight and responsive
- Great support and stability
- The outsole has grooves for maximum grip
- Breathable upper keeps feet cool and comfy
Cons
- May run small for some
4. The New JumpSoles Speed & Jump Training System v 5.0
Are you looking for an excellent gift for your athletic son, nephew or husband? Then this product from jump USA has got you covered. The jumpsoles come in different sizes to fit a twelve-year-old to an adult and they are found in almost all the sports stores.
The jumpsoles are very effective in increasing your vertical jump and can be used in almost all sports ranging from basketball, football, hockey, and soccer. Also, they build fast twitch muscle fiber in the lower leg that increase your speed and vertical jump up to 5-10 inches allowing you to have accurate hoops and perfect dunk.
Also, included is a training manual, DVDs, CDs, for effective training guides that will allow you to use the jumpsoles with minimal injuries to your knees, ankles, and leg. Moreover, the jumpsoles are easily attached to the front sole of your normal training sneakers without the hassle and work perfectly. Additionally, the jumpsoles lowers your dash time immensely at 40 times by 0.2 seconds which is a high speed when playing your favorite sports.
Pros
- Lowers your dash time at 40 times by 0.2 seconds
- Increases your vertical jump up to 5-10 inches
- Comes in a small size that can fit a twelve-year-old
- Can be used while training for almost all sports ranging from football to soccer
- Increases your calf muscle fibers
- Improves your coordination and speed
Cons
- Can cause shin split
- Can cause knee, ankle and leg injury
5 .Jump 99 Strength Plyometric Training Shoes
The jump 99 strength manufacturing company is responsible for the making of this product. If you are looking to increase your calf muscles, speed, coordination and dunk then these sneakers will work for you. The jump 99 has the ability to improve your calf muscles and increase your vertical jump by 5-10 inches. This is enabled because they allow you to stand on your toes and this transfers all the weight and body mass to your calves and toes.
Additionally, they increase your fast twitch muscle fibers for explosive power that allow you to have that impressive dunk and score. The strengthened fiber muscles allow you to have a high vertical jump and coordination while landing on your feet.
Also, the strength shoes increase your reactive strength agility and give you balance while playing basketball this allows you to enjoy your game and keeps you fit all the time. Moreover, the strength shoes increase your calf mass and definition allowing you to jump really high and land with precision. Also, this allows you to have the needed speed when dribbling the ball and perfect coordination. An added advantage to this strength shoes is that they lower your dash time to an equivalent of 50m dash time by 2/10th of a second and allows you to have an increase in speed while dribbling.
Pros
- Increase reactive strength agility
- Increase calf mass and definition
- They increase vertical jump
- They increase fast twitch muscles
- They lower dash time and increase speed
Cons
- They can cause shin split
- If used without supervision they can cause an ankle injury
6. Jump Sole (medium Size 8-10) – Jumpsole
The athletic speed manufacturing company is responsible for the making of this fantastic product. The jumpsoles build fast twitch muscle fiber in the lower leg and calves this helps in speed and builds strength in your stamina allowing you to have a high vertical jump. Also, included is DVDs and training manual for a more detailed procedure on how to use the jumpsoles to improve your strength and coordination.
Moreover, the jumpsoles can be used in almost all sports ranging from football, basketball, hockey, and soccer. The jumpsoles are fun to use and very effective in building your calf muscles, coordination, speed, and strength. The jumpsoles are used by pros and pro teams for training hence they are really effective.
Continuous use of the jumpsoles increases your calf muscle strength and agility to shoot perfect hoops and dribble the ball around the court. The jumpsoles can be worn in the house to gain practice while not training this helps in building and strengthening your calf muscles and stamina.
Pros
- Builds fast twitch muscle fibers in the lower leg
- It includes a DVD and training manual
- Can be used in all sports including soccer, football, basketball, and hockey
- Increases vertical jumps up to 5-10 inches
- Comes in both the female and the male sizes
Cons
- Can cause ankle injury if used with no supervision
- Can cause shin split
6. 2016 Strength Plyometric Shoes, Jump Higher
This is another amazing product from the jump 99 manufacturing company. For the energetic athlete that is looking to improve their vertical jump then trying out this shoe will be a perfect option. This sneaker helps you gain your vertical jump by 5-10 inches because the shoes are made from lightweight materials that will help you increase your vertical jump with plyometric training.
This allows you to have that super impressive dunk always after a period of training. Also, the strength shoe helps in increasing your fast twitch muscle fibers for explosive power that allows you to have coordination and muscle strength when playing basketball. This allows you to have fun while training and enjoy your game all the time. Moreover, the strength shoes increase your reactive strength and agility that allows you to have balance while shooting hoops and dribbling the ball giving you a boost in confidence.
Also, the strength shoes increase your calf mass and definition giving you strength to shoot accurate hoops and dribble the ball perfectly. Also, the shoes increase your speed in the court by lowering the dash time by almost 50m by 2/10th of a second which is quite impressive and allows you to shoot accurate hoops.
Pros
- Increases your vertical jump by 5-10 inches
- Increases your calf mass and definition
- Increases your reactive strength and agility
- Increase your fast twitch muscle fibers for explosive power
Cons
- Can cause ankle and leg injury if used with no supervision from a qualified sports trainer
- Can cause shin split
How strength shoes work
The strength shoes are like the opposite of high heels whereby the soles under the balls of your feet are raised. This type of platform gives an illusion of training on your toes which greatly increases your calf muscles and strength. The strength shoes force you to support yourself on your front parts of your feet while training as long as you are wearing them.
Studies have shown that the use of strength shoes while training indeed strengthens your muscle calves and increases your coordination and speed. A study published in the journal of strength and conditioning research shows that continuous use of the strength shoes for the athletes makes them have a higher vertical jump and speed. The study further concluded that the athletes seemed to have better calf musculature than other groups that did not use the strength shoes while training. However, the strength shoes can cause injuries and they are better used under supervision by a qualified sports trainer while training to minimize the risk of injuries due to poor exercise form. The strength shoes strengthen the calf muscles by stretching your muscles.
Difference between the jumpsoles and strength shoes
The difference between the jumpsoles and strength shoes is very minimal almost insignificant. The strength shoes come with an attached rubber platform to improve your ability of training on your toes with raised heels. While on the other hand, the jumpsoles are rubber platforms that are attached to your own shoes to give you the same ability as the strength shoes. The mechanism behind both the strength shoes and the jumpsoles is to strengthen your muscle calves and increase your speed and coordination. As you are forced to exercise on your tiptoes this increases your vertical jump up to 5-10 inches and gives you the ability to dunk.
Do strength shoes really work?
Strength shoes have been in the making for almost three decades but their effectiveness is still questioned. There have been many pieces of research done to prove if they really work on improving your calf muscles, speed, and vertical jump. According to a study done by the University of Wisconsin and published in which the athletes who wore the strength shoes for a period of over 10 weeks saw an increase in the calf size as compared to those who did training without the strength shoes. Theoretically, an increase in calf muscle directly translates to a higher vertical jump. This proofs that continuous use of the strength shoes under supervision by a qualified sport trainer is effective and improves the speed, coordination and vertical height of the athlete. The increased calf muscle allows you to have a higher dunk ability and strength.
What are jumpsoles?
Jumpsoles are technically a simple rubber platform that you attach to your shoes at the front base part of your feet. They are designed to raise your feet and make you stand on your toes and make it almost impossible to touch the ground with your heels. Therefore, this simple adjustment makes your calf muscle be stronger by increasing their workload. The jumpsoles comes with a plyometric vertical jump training programs in VHS and DVDs. There are two different types of the jumpsoles that can be bought according to your stage of training; the plain jumpsoles and the advanced version.
How do jumpsoles work?
The jumpsoles are basically a platform that straps on the front of your regular training sneakers. They work by making sure that your heels don’t touch the ground hence making your calves and toes carry and support all your strength, this improves the strength of your calf muscles. As much as the energy in running and jumping is generated in the lower leg the jumpsoles build fast twitch muscles. This allows the lower leg to have explosive leaping and quickness and it improves speed.
When choosing your strength shoes there are a few factors to consider in order for you to find the perfect pair of training sneakers.
Perfect fit
The perfect size of shoes always works best for you. training with a pair of shoe that is too tight or really big will cause injuries to your feet and this will give you discomfort and you won’t be able to play really well. A comfortable pair of strength shoe should always be your priority.
Durability
You don’t want to be spending every single minute if your free time trying to replace your strength shoes. Finding a perfect pair of shoe that is made from durable materials that will last you a lifetime should be of the utmost importance.
The lightweight pair of shoe
Training with a heavy pair of shoe that outweighs you while training will only drag you down. Finding a lightweight strength shoe will come in hand as this will enable you to easily jump high enough and not feel dragged by the shoe. For excellence training, a perfect shoe that is lightweight always comes in handy.