No longer limited to bodybuilders and Olympic athletes, people in the know understand that the benefits of weightlifting are vast and varied, helping improve your performance in other sports and forming a fundamental part of CrossFit. However, it's a sport some ladies are hesitant to get into, either because they fear they'll get 'too bulky' or simply don't know where to start.
Weightlifting can be for everyone, but it's essential to invest in the right gear to reach your goals and prevent injury. Lifting shoes offer a sturdy base for deadlifts or squats, and with a high heel, they put your weight in just the right place. Whether you need something cheap to try out or you want to invest in a pair from a trusted sports brand like Nike, Reebok, or Adidas, read on to find the best weightlifting shoes for women in the UK from Amazon.
Quick List - Top Weightlifting Shoes for Women
Adidas
Pretty but Strong, Reinforced Shoes to Provide Maximum Structure and Stability
Adidas
Back-To-Basics Shoes With a Solid Base and Secure Strap in an Eye-Popping Colour
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Table of Contents
The first type of shoes to consider are those that are designed to be worn when you're lifting heavy but not much beyond that. These shoes have a very solid sole, heavier than you'll find on other trainers. Their soles are also completely flat, giving you as much contact with the ground as possible to improve your stability.
Once you've used a pair of lifting shoes like this when trying to hit that new weight, you won't want to go back. If, however, your workouts tend to be a bit more diverse and you don't want to be constantly changing your shoes, you might want to look for a more versatile shoe that allows you to do other activities like running and HIIT.
Many people like to integrate weightlifting into other workouts without having to stop and change their shoes, especially those who do CrossFit or, as above, start or finish their session with a bit of HIIT.
For these occasions, you still want plenty of stability from your shoes, but you need to look for a bit more flexibility in the sole if you want to comfortably use them for other activities.
No matter whether shoes are designed specifically for lifting heavy weights or to be more versatile, they should all have a heel that supports your feet and puts your weight in the right place. Weightlifting shoes can have a higher heel than other shoes, which helps you get in the correct position, especially when squatting.
The height of a heel is often given in millimetres, giving you a point of reference so you can know exactly what you're buying. Not every shoe does this, though, and in this case, the heel can be categorised as low, medium, or high depending on how big the platform is.
A high heel is usually paired with a raised front, so you won't feel as if you're standing on your tiptoes. Although shoes might have a raised heel, they should always have a sole that sits as flat as possible on the ground. This is another advantage of shoes designed for heavy lifting only as the soles can afford to be perfectly flat and a bit heavier.
Kit yourself out with the complete set by buying some weightlifting gloves, too!
Weightlifting shoes can feel quite unusual if it's your first time wearing them, so you want to ensure you have plenty of flexibility for a perfect fit and to allow you to grow used to the feeling. We have already spoken about the importance of your shoes keeping you stable when carrying weights, and an array of fastenings will help do this.
As with regular trainers, you will typically find laces that run up the length of the shoes, and these act as a way of adjusting the width. If you prefer, look for shoes that also feature a thick Velcro strap across the top. This will help make your shoes even more secure and give you extra peace of mind.
Got space for a home gym? These squat racks will really up your game!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Adidas Adipower Weightlifting II Shoes | ![]() | Pretty but Strong, Reinforced Shoes to Provide Maximum Structure and Stability | |
2 | Reebok Legacy Lifter Shoes | ![]() | Squat-Friendly Shoes With a High Heel and a Cushioned Midsole | |
3 | Adidas Women's Powerlift 4 Shoes | ![]() | Back-To-Basics Shoes With a Solid Base and Secure Strap in an Eye-Popping Colour | |
4 | Saguaro Barefoot Shoes | ![]() | Affordable Shoes That Replicate a Barefoot Feeling With a Bit of Protection | |
5 | Reebok Women's Nano 9 Cross Trainer | ![]() | A Lightweight Pair With Fairly Flat Soles for Those Who Like Variety at the Gym | |
6 | inov-8 Women's Fastlift 335 Sneaker | ![]() | Weightlifting Shoes With Large Mesh Areas to Keep Your Feet Cool During Your Workout | |
7 | Nordic Lifting Venja Weightlifting Shoes | ![]() | A Practical and Versatile Pair Laced With Nordic Simplicity, Available in White or Black | |
8 | FiveFingers KSO Women's Multi-Sport Shoes | ![]() | Flat, Barefoot Shoes to Help You Feel the Ground Beneath Your Feet | |
9 | Adidas Women's Powerlift 3.1 Fitness Shoes | ![]() | A Cool Design With a Wide Flat Base and a Medium Heel for Creating Perfect Form | |
10 | Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Hi-Tops | ![]() | Flat-Soled, Casual Trainers With a Rubber Grip That Also Work in a Gym |
These shoes may look pretty and delicate, but rest assured, they're tough when and where they need to be. The shoe is reinforced, providing you with enough structure to hold your foot just where it needs to be.
The sleek, breathable woven upper is soft enough to let your toes move and stay cool, but the laces and strap ensure that the shoes hug the foot, meaning everything else won't budge an inch. We also appreciate that these shoes come in a wide range of sizes, and how could we ignore the lovely colour?
If squatting is what you're working on at the moment, then these shoes will be the perfect companion. The heel height is perfect and permits you to get into the proper position at the bottom of your lift, meaning you can follow through with ease.
The midsole on these is cushioned but in a more lightweight way, which is good if you prefer a bit more movement in your shoes. They come in a medium width, catering to a large number of people, and the laces and two Velcro straps allow you to adjust according to your individual needs.
There's more than the colour to attract you to this pair from Adidas, although that is definitely something we love! These shoes don't over-complicate things, leaving you with a solid base from which all of your lifts can stem.
The fit is snug, assisted by the large strap, keeping everything where it needs to be. The durable canvas layer will protect your feet from wear and tear at the gym while allowing your toes to bend and flex to give you the movement you need. Peachy!
These uniquely shaped shoes definitely stand out, but if you're looking for a different approach, they could be just what you're after. They are 'barefoot shoes', designed to replicate more accurately the natural movement of your feet.
Some people recommend weightlifting without any shoes on at all, but if you want some level of protection without adding a whole block beneath you, this might be the answer. Their distinctive style will mean they won't be for everyone, but the affordable price might be enough to lure you in!
A weights session revolving around the squat rack and barbell can work wonders, but for those workouts where you're changing things up regularly, pick shoes like these that are ready for anything.
The sole is still reasonably flat, so it will work when lifting, although not as flat as you might want for those big lifts. They are lighter than regular weightlifting shoes, making them more of an all-rounder, though perhaps not what you want to be wearing when you're going for a new PB.
This all-black weightlifting shoe comes with no fuss, just plenty of features to make your session more enjoyable. The large mesh areas contribute to the shoe's excellent ventilation system, keeping your feet cool and comfortable. The heel is also stable without looking as solid as they sometimes can.
Unfortunately, these shoes don't come in a great range of sizes and are let down slightly because some people might find the solid black a little boring. If you want a splash of colour, though, look out for the pink version!
Nordic Lifting may not be one of the big, well-known brands, but their versatile weightlifting shoes are still worth investigating. We love the clean white colour, but if you'd prefer something a little darker to conceal dirt and muck, you can also get them in black.
Unfortunately, these shoes have been designed with men in mind, and while that will be a rare and welcome feature for women with bigger feet, it does exclude those who wear smaller sizes.
This is the second 'barefoot' entry on our list, designed to feel like you're not wearing shoes at all. While these sports shoes are not specifically designed for weightlifting, they have many traits that make them suited to it. They're flat, allowing you to distribute your weight evenly, and you even have freedom for your toes to find balance.
Once again, however, they won't offer the support and put you in the right position like other shoes with a larger heel would. They also aren't as sturdy, and their versatility makes them less secure for when you're lifting heavy weights.
Adidas has created many much-loved shoes over the years, and these are no different. Their look is cool while always maintaining practicality at the heart of their design. The wide, flat base is just what you need when you've got some serious weight on your back or in your arms.
In addition to that, you have a heel that is high, but not too high making them perfect for lifting weights. The only issue we can see with those is that there aren't many options of sizes available.
You might not have been expecting to find a pair of Converse on this list, but they actually work very well for lifting weights and have legions of fans! More commonly recognised as fashion trainers, these shoes, with their flat soles and rubber grip, have many of the qualities of other, more expensive, designs.
However, while these trainers are fun and work well when trying to work on your form when lifting, they don't offer the same support that other shoes due to their lack of structure. They also aren't made with the same vents and breathable materials as shoes for sports are – not what you want if you end up breaking a sweat!
Building strength takes time, dedication and hard work from you, but you also need the best gym equipment and accessories to back you up. Whether you want to improve your home setup or make your way to the gym each day with the right gear, we have guides to the products you need.
Yes, yes and yes! When it comes to doing any form of fitness activity, especially if that includes heavy weights, it's essential for your health and wellbeing that you do your exercises correctly. Weightlifting shoes provide a sturdier foundation from which to move from, and enable you to do a safer and more effective squat.
Honestly, it's best not to. You might find that you slip when outside, and the hard, flat soles that they're well-known for, mean that they aren't very comfortable when running or walking. It's best to keep them for the gym!
While this really depends on how often you use them and how hard you're hitting it at the gym, it's recommended to replace your weightlifting shoes around the 12-month mark.
No. 1: Adidas|Adipower Weightlifting II Shoes
No. 2: Reebok|Legacy Lifter Shoes
No. 3: Adidas|Women's Powerlift 4 Shoes
No. 4: Saguaro|Barefoot Shoes
No. 5: Reebok|Women's Nano 9 Cross Trainer
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