Nicholas Rizzo

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]
Return to work creates exercise boom for least active [Study]

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[…]

Gym Harassment: 56.37% women harassed while working out
Gym Harassment: 56.37% women harassed while working out

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)[…]

Scientific Benefits of Exercise [Research Review]
Scientific Benefits of Exercise [Research Review]

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[…]

Running Boom: 28.76% of runners started during the pandemic
Running Boom: 28.76% of runners started during the pandemic

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[…]

1/3 gym members won't return after vaccine (11K surveyed)
1/3 gym members won't return after vaccine (11K surveyed)

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[…]

Average Gym Membership Cost 2021 [Gym Price Analysis]
Average Gym Membership Cost 2021 [Gym Price Analysis]

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[…]

Fitness Trends 2021: New Trends in Fitness [Global Report]
Fitness Trends 2021: New Trends in Fitness [Global Report]

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[…]

39.14% of avid gym members switch to home fitness in 2021
39.14% of avid gym members switch to home fitness in 2021

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[…]

How Will Gym Members Stay Fit in 2021 [Hint:Not the Gym]
How Will Gym Members Stay Fit in 2021 [Hint:Not the Gym]

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[…]

COVID's Impact on the Fitness Industry [35+ Stats and Facts]
COVID's Impact on the Fitness Industry [35+ Stats and Facts]

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[…]

Quarantine Weight Gain: 35.82% Gained Weight During Pandemic [19,903 Person Study]
Quarantine Weight Gain: 35.82% Gained Weight During Pandemic [19,903 Person Study]

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[…]

A Fifth of Gyms Are Still Closed [6,812 Member Survey]
A Fifth of Gyms Are Still Closed [6,812 Member Survey]

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[…]

Only 30.98% of Gym Members Have Returned [5,055 Member Survey]
Only 30.98% of Gym Members Have Returned [5,055 Member Survey]

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[…]

Gyms Reopening: 46.67% of Members Won’t Return [Study]
Gyms Reopening: 46.67% of Members Won’t Return [Study]

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[…]

50+ Ways Strength Training for Golf Improves Performance
50+ Ways Strength Training for Golf Improves Performance

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[…]

323,776 Reviews Say "Expensive Workout Shoes Aren't Worth It"
323,776 Reviews Say "Expensive Workout Shoes Aren't Worth It"

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[…]

CrossFit Open 2020 - Expert Predictions
CrossFit Open 2020 - Expert Predictions

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[…]

The Political Divide: Dems and Reps Can't Even Agree on Shoes
The Political Divide: Dems and Reps Can't Even Agree on Shoes

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[…]

Sprint Interval Training: Burn 40% More Fat Than HIIT in 60% Less Time
Sprint Interval Training: Burn 40% More Fat Than HIIT in 60% Less Time

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[…]

33 Couples Yoga Poses to Take Your Relationship to the Next Level
33 Couples Yoga Poses to Take Your Relationship to the Next Level

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[…]

Stronglifts 5x5 Workout - Best Strength Training Program for Beginners
Stronglifts 5x5 Workout - Best Strength Training Program for Beginners

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[…]

78 Science Backed Benefits of Weightlifting for Seniors
78 Science Backed Benefits of Weightlifting for Seniors

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[…]

The Complete Science-Backed Guide to Lifting Shoes: Barefoot and Beyond
The Complete Science-Backed Guide to Lifting Shoes: Barefoot and Beyond

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[…]

Guides

Best Adidas powerlifting shoes
Best Adidas powerlifting shoes

Adidas gets multiple spots in our list of highly-rated powerlifting shoes. This should not be a surprise to anyone. After all, the Three Stripes brand has helped create the weightlifting shoe movement[…]

Best cross-training shoes
Best cross-training shoes

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[…]

Best gym shoes
Best gym shoes

Wearing the right shoes for gym workouts is a game-changer. A running shoe with plenty of cushioning may not be a wise choice for lifting heavier weights or CrossFit training. So be sure to pick the i[…]

Best cheap gym shoes
Best cheap gym shoes

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[…]

Best Adidas gym shoes
Best Adidas gym shoes

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[…]

Best New Balance gym shoes
Best New Balance gym shoes

English immigrant William J. Riley founded the New Balance Company in 1906, in Boston, Massachusetts. The budding company mainly produced orthopedic footwear that offered great comfort and 'new balanc[…]

Best Nike hiit shoes
Best Nike hiit shoes

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[…]

Best Nike gym shoes
Best Nike gym shoes

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[…]

Best Nike cross-training shoes
Best Nike cross-training shoes

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[…]

Best cheap workout shoes
Best cheap workout shoes

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[…]

Best minimalist training shoes
Best minimalist training shoes

A great alternative to cross trainers is minimalist training shoes. This uncluttered Spartan-like style of training kicks is a growing niche in the footwear market. They have great appeal to people wh[…]

Best Under Armour training shoes
Best Under Armour training shoes

From HIIT workouts or heavy lifting to cardio training or simple gym use, the Under Armour training shoes are better equipped with technologies that can help you push harder, and get through the tough[…]

Best PUMA training shoes
Best PUMA training shoes

Let’s not mince words. You know exactly what you’re gonna get when you buy a new pair of training kicks from PUMA. The current lineup of the brand’s training shoes puts more stock in[…]

Best Reebok crossfit shoes
Best Reebok crossfit shoes

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[…]

Best Reebok workout shoes
Best Reebok workout shoes

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[…]

Best Reebok training shoes
Best Reebok training shoes

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[…]

Best Adidas weightlifting shoes
Best Adidas weightlifting shoes

If you’re serious about your weightlifting journey, then you need serious lifting shoes that even the pros would love to have. Let’s start with the top-rated Adidas weightlifting shoes (or[…]

Best Adidas training shoes
Best Adidas training shoes

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[…]

Best New Balance workout shoes
Best New Balance workout shoes

If good value for money is what you’re after, then the New Balance workout shoes are the right choice. These workout kicks from New Balance may not be as popular as Nike or Reebok trainers but t[…]

Best New Balance training shoes
Best New Balance training shoes

In 1906, William J. Riley founded the New Balance Arch Support Company in Boston, Massachusetts. His main focus was to produce orthopedic footwear that offered wearers maximum comfort and a whole 'new[…]

Best Nike crossfit shoes
Best Nike crossfit shoes

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[…]

Best Nike workout shoes
Best Nike workout shoes

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[…]

Best powerlifting shoes
Best powerlifting shoes

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[…]

Best shoes for jumping rope
Best shoes for jumping rope

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[…]

Best hiit shoes
Best hiit shoes

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[…]

Best Nike training shoes
Best Nike training shoes

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[…]

Best crossfit shoes
Best crossfit shoes

WOD entails a lot of different movements: lifting, jumping, sprinting, and more. That’s why Crossfit shoes must live up to a large span of expectations. We have tested over 40 trainers from 7 di[…]

Best workout shoes
Best workout shoes

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[…]

Best weightlifting shoes
Best weightlifting shoes

Also known as lifting shoes or squat shoes, weightlifting trainers come with a wide non-compressible platform, raised heel, and a strap to keep you stable under the heaviest loads. Whether you are a c[…]

Best training shoes
Best training shoes

Training shoes must be some of the most versatile athletic footwear. They are meant for every imaginable activity at the gym, including jumping, lifting, treadmill running, and rowing, among other exe[…]

Lab tests and in-depth reviews

Reebok Legacy Lifter III
84
Great!
Nike Free Metcon 5
86
Great!
Under Armour TriBase Reign 5
80
Good!
Reebok Nano X3
88
Great!
Nike Legend Essential 3
70
Bad!
On Cloud X 3
88
Great!
Nike Air Max Alpha Trainer 5
86
Great!
Reebok Nano X2 TR Adventure
85
Great!
Adidas Powerlift 5
88
Great!
Nike Metcon 8
87
Great!
Nike Zoom Metcon Turbo 2
84
Great!
Nike Air Zoom SuperRep 3
79
Good!
NOBULL Trainer+
89
Great!
Reebok Nano X2
89
Great!
Adidas Dropset Trainer
89
Great!
Nike Savaleos
84
Great!
Reebok Nano X1
88
Great!
Nike Legend Essential 2
81
Good!
Nike Metcon 6
91
Superb!

Who should buy the Nike Metcon 6 If you want to own just one premium training shoe for everything at the gym or in a CrossFit WOD, we highly recommend the Metcon 6. It is a solid all-arounder from Nik[…]

Reebok Legacy Lifter II
90
Superb!
Reebok Nano X
92
Superb!

Who should buy the Reebok Nano X Nano X is best for functional fitness and CrossFit-style workouts. It also works for an ordinary gym session with lots of lifting and a little bit of everything. Who s[…]

Nike Free Metcon 3
88
Great!

Who should buy the Nike Free Metcon 3 It is a great choice for workouts that include dynamic exercises with lots of jumps, sprints, lunges, and moderate weightlifting. It is also recommended for Bootc[…]

Nike Romaleos 4
92
Superb!
Nike Flex Control 4
87
Great!
Reebok Nano 2.0
89
Great!
NOBULL Trainer
93
Superb!

Reviews

Nike Metcon 9
84
Great!

The Metcon series is once again making waves with the Nike Metcon 9. This workout shoe is loved by many gym rats, especially CrossFitters and others who love to incorporate a lot of lifting in their p[…]

Nike Zoom SuperRep 4
78
Good!

Because of its high energy return and reliable lockdown, the Zoom SuperRep 4 from Nike becomes a suitable partner for HIIT and other exercises that have explosiveness at their core. Given the high lev[…]

Under Armour Charged Aurora 2
79
Good!

The ladies get a trustworthy companion in the Under Armour Charged Aurora 2. This training shoe is not only a reliable training comrade, but it is also an attractive partner that can be comfortably wo[…]

Nike Free Metcon 4 Premium
84
Great!

Who says you can't be fashionable when exercising? The Nike Free Metcon 4 training shoe makes sure that looks and style are never put in the back seat. Because of this, women who are so serious about[…]

Nike Renew In-Season TR 12
78
Good!

The Nike Renew In-Season TR 12 is a dependable training shoe, but its appeal has gone beyond the four corners of the gym. It's so comfortable that even pregnant women and people who stand for long hou[…]

Nike SuperRep Go 3
82
Good!

Concern for the environment is taken to the next level with the Nike SuperRep Go 3. Even if it's made of recycled materials, this training shoe from Nike does not fall short performance-wise. And don'[…]

Under Armour SlipSpeed
90
Superb!

When it comes to training shoes, implementing innovations is a risk. Fortunately for the Under Armour SlipSpeed, many appreciate the innovative convertible heel and the toggle lacing system incorporat[…]

Under Armour TriBase Reign 4 Pro
78
Good!

Training shoes are usually just used in the gym, but the Under Armour TriBase Reign 4 Pro is an exemption. This shoe has various features that makes it suitable for use in other contexts such as tenni[…]

Under Armour HOVR Rise 4
77
Decent!

Saying that the Under Armour HOVR Rise 4 lives up to expectations is an understatement; it simply does not properly describe the warm reception that this shoe gets from fitness enthusiasts. Gym-goers[…]

Under Armour Project Rock 5
67
Bad!

The Under Armour Project Rock 5 is the go-to shoe of gym rats who want to lift heavy for significant gains! This shoe keeps the feet safely planted on the ground while doing all the cleans and jerks n[…]

Xero Shoes 360
91
Superb!

The Xero Shoes 360 is not to be discounted when it comes to minimalist barefoot-feel shoes. This trainer just provides all that's important to a typical gymgoer. What's even more amazing is that it is[…]

APL Techloom Tracer
84
Great!

If you want a training shoe that serves you in a variety of contexts, then the APL Techloom Tracer is the one that you should have. This shoe has the chops needed for HIIT workouts and other explosive[…]

NOBULL Court Trainer
88
Great!

Several athletes from different sports are happy with the NOBULL Court Trainer. This training shoe is equipped with the right features that make it suitable for a wide variety of disciplines-- from gy[…]

Nike MC Trainer 2
75
Bad!

The Nike MC Trainer 2 has all the chops needed for a wide array of exercises: from lifting that requires stability to athletic-style sessions that demand flexibility and explosiveness. Hence, you can[…]

Adidas Adipower 3
89
Great!

With all the right boxes ticked, the Adidas Adipower 3 is a dependable partner for casual to heavy weightlifting. It brings back fond memories of the original Adipower, which was a very well-received[…]

Under Armour Project Rock BSR 2
88
Great!

Indeed, the Under Armour Project Rock BSR 2 caters to the needs of the typical gym-goer. It can be used for most if not all types of casual workouts that can be done in a typical gym. It is also quite[…]

Reebok Flexagon Force 3
81
Good!

Priced at way below $100, the Reebok Flexagon Force 3 is enjoyed by many during gym time and even for full days at work. This training shoe is versatile enough to be used for different kinds of workou[…]

Adidas Edge Lux 5
76
Bad!

The Adidas Edge Lux 5 is quite a charmer both in terms of performance and looks. Several users are happy with what they experience, and they want to wear this shoe the whole day. Many of them are even[…]

Adidas The Total
90
Superb!

Hands down, the Adidas The Total is a well-built shoe that does what it's intended to do: make lifting safer and more efficient. Reviewers can't find any serious flaws in it, so it's safe to say that[…]

Reebok Nano 6000
85
Great!

The Reebok Nano X2 is already a well-received shoe, and many fitness enthusiasts are already replacing their trainers with this one. But the Reebok Nano 6000 just brings everything a notch higher. It[…]