Black Friday - best deals from 52 stores We wanted to understand how the exercise habits of people who were forced to work remotely during the pandemic were impacted by returning to the office full-time. To do this, we surveyed 2,494 people[…]
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Nicholas Rizzo
Nick combines 10+ years of experience in the health and fitness industry and a background in the sciences in his role as the Fitness Research Director. During his competitive powerlifting years his PRs have him sitting in the top 2% of bench presses (395 lbs), top 3% of squats (485 lbs) and top 6% of deadlifts (515 lbs) for his weight and age.
His work has been featured on Bodybuilding.com, LiveStrong, Healthline, WebMD, WashingtonPost, and many more. Along the way, collaborating with industry leaders like Michael Yessis, Mark Rippetoe, Carlo Buzzichelli, Dave Tate, Ray Williams, and Joel Seedman.
Articles
![Return to work creates exercise boom for least active [Study]](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/post/27787/returning-to-work-in-the-office-impact-on-exercise-15341138-250.png)
We wanted to understand how prevalent harassment is in gyms and how it impacts members, gyms, and the industry as a whole. To investigate this we surveyed 3,774 gym members (1107 female and 2667 male)[…]
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![Scientific Benefits of Exercise [Research Review]](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/post/27449/scientific20benefits20of20exercise205bresearch20review5d20copy-15108092-250.png)
In 2021, we began a project dedicating a significant amount of time towards researching the scientific benefits of exercise for your health. Reading, reviewing, analyzing, and reporting the findings o[…]
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We surveyed 3,961 current runners to investigate how many began during the pandemic. We wanted to learn about their motivations for running, whether they’ll participate in races, and how they di[…]
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A year ago, at the start of the lockdowns, we found that nearly 50% of gym members didn’t plan to return to their gyms upon reopening and that more than 10% had canceled their memberships. A fol[…]
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![Average Gym Membership Cost 2021 [Gym Price Analysis]](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/post/27286/how-much-do-gym-memberships-cost-on-average-in-2021-14579179-250.png)
We compiled the prices of the different membership plans at 16 popular gym chains in the US (as of January 15th, 2021) to analyze the average gym membership costs in 2021. The comprehensive analysis s[…]
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![Fitness Trends 2021: New Trends in Fitness [Global Report]](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/post/27285/global-fitness-trends-2021-vs-2020-13437097-250.png)
The pandemic has forced drastic changes upon the fitness industry, producing a sizable shift in how people approach staying fit and maintaining the health benefits of regular exercise. In order to lea[…]
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In our previous study, we found 41.38% of gym members were “avid gym members”, or those who stated gyms, health clubs, fitness centers, studios, or bootcamps were their primary way to stay[…]
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![How Will Gym Members Stay Fit in 2021 [Hint:Not the Gym]](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/post/26991/how-will-gym-members-stay-fit-2021-vs-2020-12993744-250.png)
Although nearly half of gym members said they would return to their gym when it reopened back in April, only a third had returned since August. With the pandemic only worsening as 2020 comes to an end[…]
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![COVID's Impact on the Fitness Industry [35+ Stats and Facts]](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/post/26973/pandemics20impact20on20the20fitness20industry20copy-15108095-250.png)
The global pandemic is the biggest disruption the fitness industry has ever faced. To develop a greater understanding of just how the industry is being impacted and shifting, we spent hours researchin[…]
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![Quarantine Weight Gain: 35.82% Gained Weight During Pandemic [19,903 Person Study]](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/post/26883/quarantine-15-pandemic-weight-gain-statistics-12610671-250.png)
In previous research, we found that the lockdown led to people exercising more than they were prior to the pandemic - staying active to enjoy the health benefits of exericse. Additionally, we have fou[…]
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![A Fifth of Gyms Are Still Closed [6,812 Member Survey]](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/post/26785/gym-reopen-and-gym-closure-rates-12168599-250.png)
Four months after our initial gyms reopening survey we ran a follow-up survey that found only 30.98% of gym members had returned to their gym to enjoy the benefits of exercising. To learn more about t[…]
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![Only 30.98% of Gym Members Have Returned [5,055 Member Survey]](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/post/26593/gym-members-not-returning-11982630-250.png)
Prior to gyms reopening in May, we surveyed 10,824 gym members regarding how they felt about returning to their gyms and their memberships. Four months later, we have surveyed 5,055 gym members to lea[…]
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![Gyms Reopening: 46.67% of Members Won’t Return [Study]](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/post/26107/gyms-reopening-gym-members-will-not-return-coronavirus-11982597-250.png)
In the face of this pandemic, some places are beginning their initial stages of reopening. During so, people have had to go elsewhere to stay active and enjoy the benefits of exercise. With the disrup[…]
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It is well known that exercise benefits sports performance in a variety of ways. For this study we researched and analyzed over 130 scientific studies in order to investigate the effect of strength tr[…]
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The analysis below is based not on our lab reviews, but on expert and user reviews from other sites. To learn more about how we lab test shoes, see our methodology page here, which explains in detail[…]
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With the 2020 CrossFit Open kicking off on October 10th, RunRepeat conducted a survey among journalists and CrossFit experts around the world. The survey consisted of 14 questions regarding their pred[…]
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The political divide is seemingly greater than ever. Although we are all citizens of the same country, there are clearly differences in the people that fall on both sides of the aisle. Which begs the[…]
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From fitness gurus and gym trainers to that one colleague who never shuts up about Crossfit, all will tell you exactly what you need to do to lose weight. We all know the benefits of exercising - desp[…]
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From Instagram gurus, major publications, family and friends to your work colleagues, it is hard to go very long without hearing about yoga. We get it. Yoga is a great form physical activity to reap t[…]
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The fitness industry is littered with fad workouts that tell you what to do, how to do it, and promise amazing results. They come. They go. And a new one is born. The 5x5 workout is not one of those f[…]
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The aging process is a daunting and inevitable one.Which is why effort and action must be taken to improve the overall health, longevity, and quality of life. Despite this, 80% of adults are not engag[…]
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Why do we wear shoes? I mean, it isn’t like cavemen used to camp outside for 2-3 days to cop the freshest pair of shoes from the Air Jordan Hunter Gatherer collection. Yet, they seemed to have d[…]
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Guides
Lift heavy, jump higher, and strengthen those targeted muscle groups with a new pair of cross-training shoes. Yes, you can do all those workout regimens wearing just one dependable hybrid training kic[…]
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If you take your workouts seriously, you simply cannot afford to compromise when it comes to your gym shoes. Wearing the wrong shoes not only impedes your performance but also increases your chance of[…]
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Whatever fave way you like to sweat, there’s no need to spend a fortune on a new pair of gym shoes. In fact, if you’re on a tight budget, you can still score good quality workout kicks fro[…]
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With almost 100 years in the making, Adidas continues to be one of the trusted brands in the athletic footwear industry. As a frontrunner in innovative shoe technology, the Three Stripes keeps adjusti[…]
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If you need shoes that can handle the heat of punishing workouts, the Nike HIIT shoes will definitely fit the bill. The intense nature of this cardiovascular training regimen pushes your body to the l[…]
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Having the right gym shoes is a key foundation to achieve your fitness goals. Whether you’re building muscles with weightlifting routines or executing a CrossFit workout of the day, the ideal fo[…]
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From the do-it-all Nike Free Metcon series to the ever-popular Nike Metcon models, Nike offers several of the most highly-rated cross-training kicks that can handle multiple exercises. Whatever hybrid[…]
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Whether you enjoy lifting weights, doing aerobic exercises, or clocking up miles on the treadmill, having the right pair of shoes is key to keeping your feet comfortable. And if you’re on a budg[…]
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When CrossFit, one of the biggest, if not the biggest and most exciting, fitness movements of our time, announced its 10-year partnership with Reebok in 2010, it marked a remarkable revolution in the[…]
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Reebok is one of the OGs of athletic footwear. Its entry into the fitness market in the 80s ushered in some of the best Rebook workout shoes in history such as the iconic Workout Trainer - a gym-focus[…]
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Reebok is one of the oldest manufacturers of athletic footwear in the world. Its deep roots can be traced back as far as 1890 when they first introduced their spiked sports shoes. Since then, the bran[…]
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From powerlifting to all-around trainers, Adidas offers some of the superbly high-quality training shoes in the business. As a trusted brand in the athletic footwear industry, you can be sure to get g[…]
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When it comes to superb support and stability for a tough weightlifting workout, Nike is hands down one of the best and most trusted brands out there. From the weightlifting-focused design like the Ni[…]
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CrossFit is a fitness phenomenon that appeals to many athletes all around the world. To become good at it, you will need a special type of CrossFit-specific shoes that can handle the rigorous training[…]
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Whether you need a new pair that can handle your high-impact workouts or all-around gym shoes for studio fitness classes, Nike offers some of the best-rated workout shoes on the market. The Swoosh mod[…]
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Many workout programs include a form of weightlifting in their exercise lineups. In effect, many training shoes, especially those from big brands like Reebok and Adidas, have features that support wei[…]
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There are loads of training shoes for jumping rope to choose from. And there are also loads of features to consider to get the right pair. It can be tedious, which is exactly the reason why we came up[…]
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High-intensity interval training isn't for the faint-hearted. It's truly high-intensity, and you will surely sweat it out. To do well in this program, you need the support of good training shoes that[…]
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Nike fans looking for a pair of versatile and dependable training shoes for gym workouts, non-stop jumping, and hardcore weightlifting need not look far. A brand known for its stylish sneakers and per[…]
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A Crossfit session involves a lot of different movements: from a warmup run to a series of box jumps, from holding a plank to lifting 400 lbs. That’s why Crossfit shoes must live up to a large s[…]
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Workout shoes, also called cross-training shoes or cross-trainers, are engineered to accommodate a wide range of training activities. This guide will present the best workout shoes we have tried and t[…]
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Also known as lifters or squat shoes, weightlifting trainers stand out with their wide non-compressible platforms, raised heels, and sturdy uppers to keep you stable under the heaviest loads. Whether[…]
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Training shoes are designed for every imaginable activity at the gym: jumping, lifting, rowing, and more. Some trainers are more geared towards weightlifting (wide sturdy base with a raised heel), whi[…]
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Lab tests and in-depth reviews
92
Superb!
Having put the Inov8 F-Lite Max through its paces, we can confidently confirm that it deserves to be nominated as the brand's flagship cross-training shoe. With its strong lifter vibes, we experienced[…]
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72
Bad!
The moment we took the Minimus TR v2 out of the box, we knew that it was no longer the minimalist trainer we'd come to expect. It seems like New Balance tried to elevate the shoe's performance by addi[…]
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89
Great!
We struggle to recommend the On Cloud X 4 as a dedicated gym trainer. Our lab tests showed that it is more of a comfortable walking shoe with great cushioning and flexibility for some fitness routines[…]
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85
Good!
In our opinion, the Nike MC Trainer 3 is a must to consider if you are looking for an affordable gym shoe to kick-start your fitness journey. We found that for under $100, this Nike trainer ticks ever[…]
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81
Good!
We are happy to report that the Nike Air Max Alpha Trainer 6 offers excellent value for money as an entry-level gym shoe. It delivers the right amount of support and impact protection for a moderate t[…]
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90
Great!
Having tested the Adidas Dropset 3 through and through, we were in awe of the stability it offers for gym training. It even made us confident enough to reach for the PR-level weight a few times! A clo[…]
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87
Great!
The Cloudpulse is marketed as On's very first training shoe and we can wholeheartedly recommend it for HIIT and cardio workouts. Its supportive construction and responsive cushioning kept us confident[…]
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84
Good!
We found the Cloud X 3 AD to be nearly identical to the regular X 3, except that it is even airier and bendier and its thinner upper fits more like a sock. With its highly flexible and agile construct[…]
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81
Good!
Having tweaked a few design features, Nike came up with an even lighter, airier, bendier, and more supportive iteration of the Free Metcon line. The v6 impressed us as a true gym all-rounder that feel[…]
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90
Great!
Implementing innovations is a risk. But Under Armour's unique SlipSpeed shoe happens to be a very successful experiment. With its convertible heel and BOA lacing system, the shoe switches from a gym s[…]
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85
Good!
The Reebok Nano X4 carries the torch as the brand's premium cross-training shoe. Once again, the Nano proved its competence as a versatile trainer for any exercise plan at the gym. We felt confident g[…]
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84
Good!
We believe that the Nike Air Zoom TR 1 is great for quick explosive workouts. It offers a lot of energy return and impact protection, which are precisely what we need to get the most out of many exerc[…]
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86
Good!
We thoroughly enjoyed the light and minimal feel of the Altra Solstice XT 2. The shoe's grounded platform and low (alas, not zero) drop made us feel a step closer to being barefoot. Its highly flexibl[…]
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81
Good!
The Reebok Nano X3 Adventure is a unique crossover of a trail shoe and a gym trainer. Equipped with a sturdier and toothier outsole, this shoe took us from the gym to the trails in a heartbeat! Embody[…]
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93
Superb!
If Converse sneakers have been your go-to choice for deadlifting, we are convinced that the Adidas The Total will become your new favorite. We were delighted with the shoe's performance in the zero-dr[…]
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74
Decent!
Because of its high energy return and reliable lockdown, our test workouts show that the Zoom SuperRep 4 from Nike is a suitable partner for HIIT and other exercises that have explosiveness at their c[…]
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77
Good!
We find the New Balance Minimus TR as a great minimalist shoe that provides just the right protection for the foot during indoor workouts. We have seen that it does not budge easily. It does not tear[…]
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86
Good!
Concern for the environment is taken to the next level with the Nike SuperRep Go 3. Even though it's made of recycled materials, we are here to assure you that this training shoe from Nike does not fa[…]
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92
Superb!
We are bummed that the Adidas Dropset 2 was given so little marketing and promotion. We were amazed to find that this trainer's performance comes pretty close to the flagship Metcons and Nanos. Its st[…]
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82
Good!
For $90, we were very much impressed with the Nike Air Max Bella TR 5's performance. This ladies' gym shoe combines a supportive bootie upper with a highly stable platform, helping us focus on rocking[…]
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80
Good!
For the price, we believe that the Nike MC Trainer 2 should be on every beginner and recreational gym goer's radar. We witnessed how this trainer proved its versatility for a little bit of everything[…]
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84
Good!
The Metcon series is once again making waves with the Nike Metcon 9. We can prove that this is one of the best trainers for Crossfit and lifting heavy. It is also a real gem for wide feet and those wh[…]
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61
Bad!
In the category of budget-friendly training shoes, New Balance almost nailed it with the DynaSoft TRNR 2! We say almost because the shoe comes with one glaring issue - an unforgivingly very weak upper[…]
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90
Great!
The Adidas Powerlift 5 is one of the best entry-level weightlifting shoes we've tested! We can affirm that its minimal heel elevation (0.6 in/15 mm) is perfect for getting started on your lifting jour[…]
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92
Superb!
In our opinion, very few lifting shoes come close to the stability and support provided by the Reebok Legacy Lifter II. It is a premium offering that meets every demand an Olympic weightlifter may hav[…]
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87
Great!
A titan of heavy lifting from Reebok, the Legacy Lifter comes back strong in its 3rd iteration. We can verify that its massively sturdy platform with an elevated heel is a successful formula for lifti[…]
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91
Great!
If you did Crossfit in 2012, this re-release of the Reebok Nano 2.0 might prompt a nostalgic tear in your eyes. We discovered that this remake is nearly identical to the OG, bringing back the shoe's a[…]
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87
Great!
Though the marketing hype around it isn't very loud, we think that the TriBase Reign 5 can easily compete with the flagship trainers in its niche. The shoe's got everything it takes to be a perfect Cr[…]
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83
Good!
As the name suggests, the Nike Zoom Metcon Turbo 2 is a speedy addition to the Metcon family. We found it to be more flexible and agile as well as more cushioned for treadmill runs and high-impact car[…]
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90
Great!
Upon testing the Adidas Dropset Trainer, we can conclude that it's a well-rounded option for both plyometric exercises and moderate weightlifting. We are happy that Adidas finally came up with a cross[…]
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87
Great!
We love the On Cloud X 3 because it's a workout shoe with a stylish sneaker appeal. We barely felt it on our feet thanks to its amazingly lightweight and airy design. Surprisingly, the shoe also made[…]
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86
Good!
We consider the Nike Savaleos a successful experiment of turning a high-heeled lifting shoe into a more versatile gym tool. Even though it loses some of its performance in the more niche activities, i[…]
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75
Decent!
For its very moderate price point, the Nike Legend Essential 3 ticks all the essential boxes of a cross-trainer. We believe that the shoe really squeezed as much as possible out of $65. Based on our t[…]
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85
Good!
In our opinion, gymgoers on a budget will not be left wanting more with the Nike Air Max Alpha Trainer 5. This training shoe is aptly equipped with all the essentials for a moderate workout. What's mo[…]
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88
Great!
If buying shoes were like investing, then you should really be putting your hard-earned cash into the Nike Free Metcon 5. The returns of investment on this trainer come in the form of high-level perfo[…]
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88
Great!
We highly appreciate the Nano X3 trainer because of its versatility: it can seamlessly transition from lifting to cardiovascular exercises. It's also stylish and comfortable enough that we wore it eve[…]
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85
Good!
While we found working out in the Reebok Nano X2 great, we don't really think it is ideal for outdoor use. The Nano X2 TR Adventure fixes this by becoming the first-ever outdoor-ready Nano. We found t[…]
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87
Great!
The Nike Metcon 8 continues the widely recognized success of the Metcon line. This shoe is dependable in different training contexts, though we learned that it stands out the most when we used it in C[…]
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81
Good!
The SuperRep has got to be Nike’s most flashy training shoe series we've tried so far. We found out that the third iteration received some design tweaks that give the right balance of cushioning[…]
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91
Great!
We are happy that the NOBULL Impact (previously called NOBULL Trainer+) proves to be a solid step-up to its popular predecessor. We verified that the shoe veers away from being a grounded and firmer p[…]
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88
Great!
We hail the Nano X1 as the ultimate fitness shoe because of its solid performance and versatility, yet the X2 is still able to improve on it and ultimately sway us into the Reebok Nano X fandom. Most[…]
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87
Great!
The Nano X1 lives up to the level of quality we expected from the Nano series but strays away from its predecessors’ Crossfit-centeredness. Reebok now describes it as the shoe for "ultimate fitn[…]
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83
Good!
Belonging to Nike’s cheapest training shoes, we established that the Legend Essential 2 manages to offer that essential comfort and support for moderate gym workouts as well as recreational use.[…]
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92
Superb!
Coming from the brand’s elite series of weightlifting shoes, the Nike Romaleos 4 does not disappoint as it grants us a secure ankle hold. With top-notch quality from the outside and a secure and[…]
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88
Great!
The Flex Control 4 is one of the cheapest workout shoes from Nike that we ever landed and yet, it doesn’t fall short of the essentials we need for a moderate gym session. Coming from the Nike Fl[…]
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97
Superb!
You can't go wrong with the NOBULL Outwork (previously called NOBULL Trainer). We found it clean and minimal, which simply works for CrossFit and day-to-day wear. First introduced in 2016, the shoe ha[…]
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