[Photo: Tom Werner]
Getting into the gym is a key component to playing your best golf. And to get the most out of your workouts, you need to have the right gear. One overlooked piece of equipment is your shoes. Not all sneakers are made for the gym. We spoke with some of our female Golf Digest Best Fitness Trainers to find the best gym shoes for women.
RELATED: 6 women’s golf shoes that look and feel like a sneaker
When you’re looking for a strength-training shoe, there are a few things to consider. “Look for something with enough firmness to keep your foot stable throughout your exercises,” Jennifer Fleischer, owner of Fleischer Tour Fit, said. “Shoes for strength training need to be stable to allow for a more efficient transfer of force from the ground up when you train. This stability puts less strain on other joints up the chain, such as your knees and low back, and can reduce your risk of injury over time.”
This is much different from most running shoes, which prioritise cushioning and absorbing the impact of each foot strike on the pavement. That cushioning doesn’t serve you in the gym, where you need stability more than anything else.
“A stable training shoe is also ideal for improving your balance during single-leg exercises, such as single-leg deadlifts and lunge variations that require a solid base of support,” Fleischer says.
Here are three gym shoes to consider:
Altra Solstice XT 3
Altra’s shoes create a ‘barefoot’ feel, keeping you close to the ground and putting your foot in a natural position. 
On Women’s Cloud 6 Push
The wider sole on this model creates a more stable base for you to push off from.
Salomon XT 6
The XT 6 has everything you need in a gym shoe: it’s lightweight while still being very stable.
