7 Best Cheap Gym Shoes in 2023

The Nike Air Max Alpha Trainer 5 is our top overall cheap workout shoe thanks to its strong stability, particularly for casual lifting, as well as terrific impact protection and outstanding durability. The shoe delivers all that for just £100, which falls way below the £110 average price for training shoes.

We have no concerns about using the Alpha Trainer 5 for lifting workouts with light to moderate weights, as it has more than enough stability for the task. We rated its torsional stability a 4 out of 5, with 5 being the stiffest, as we had to try quite hard to get the shoe to twist.

The shoe's thick midsole, which includes the Max Air unit in the heel, offers outstanding protection, especially while performing high-impact exercises like burpees, jump ropes, and box jumps. Our measurements found the shoe’s forefoot and heel stack height to be 5.6 mm and 11.1 mm taller than average, respectively.

Meanwhile, the outsole is made to last quite a long time. It got a hardness reading of 90.1 HC from our durometer, which is 6.7% harder than the average training shoe. Moreover, it is 0.3 mm thicker than average.

However, the shoe's upper, particularly the toebox, is not nearly as durable. It only took a second for our Dremel to drill a huge hole in the toebox, which is why we gave the shoe the lowest score of 1 out of 5 on our durability test.

The Nike Legend Essential 3 is the best for beginners not only because of its low price (£70, the average price of a pair of trainers is £100) but also because of a series of superlatives that it delivers. First of all, it is super lightweight that we tend to forget that we still have something on. Also, it ensured a good deal of stability and lockdown, making us feel more confident with each step.

In the lab, we learned that the Nike Legend Essential 3 weighs only 8.78 oz or 249g. Compared to the average (11.18 oz or 317g), this figure represents an amazing 21% drop in weight! This shoe just felt so light that we didn’t want to take it off even after the workout was over.

Support was thankfully not a problem with this shoe. Its snug fit helped keep our feet in place even during the most intense plays and exercises. The sidewalls, laces, and even the slightly thicker insole (4.5 mm vs the 3.9 mm average) all helped in giving the foot a secure clasp.

Stability was also a function of the shoe’s wide platform. Based on our caliper measurements, the forefoot and heel areas of the platform are 112.2 mm and 90.7 mm wide respectively. These figures are higher than the 109.6 mm and 87.0 mm averages. 

It’s just quite regrettable that we cannot recommend the Nike Legend Essential 3 to those who want shoes that last. Twelve seconds of Dremel-drilling already resulted in a hole, and we were forced to give this shoe only a 2 out of 5 for durability.

We hail the Flex Control 4 from Nike as the best minimalist offer among cheap trainers because it excellently lives up to its name. First of all, it deserves to be described as cheap because, at £70, it’s much more affordable than the typical trainer, which is priced at £110. It deserves to be called “Flex” simply because it was truly very flexible, allowing us to bend our feet without much resistance. The “Control” in its name is also warranted. Its midsole was firm, and it allowed us to get a pronounced feeling of the floor, giving us more control over our movements no matter how fine they were.

Straight out of the box, we immediately appreciated the lightness of this shoe. We were not anymore surprised when our weighing scale in the lab reported that this shoe weighs only 9.8 oz or 277g, which is a lot lighter than the 11.2 oz or 317g average.

The flexibility of the shoe was a total dealmaker. Both the heel counter and the shoe’s base got a score of 2 out of 5 for rigidity, which means that they could easily go with the natural flexes of our feet during our sessions.

The firm midsole was appreciated a lot by the more quick-footed among us. Readings from our HA durometer revealed that this shoe is 19% firmer than the typical trainer. How easy it was to ace agility ladder workouts when we had the Flex Control 4 on our feet! 

Too bad this shoe was not really built as the tanker we thought it was. Some parts of the upper already showed signs of wear and tear, and we have not even subjected it to the Dremel test yet!

Nike's Renew Fusion offers the best stability among the cheap trainers we use in the gym. For only £90, we have a versatile and supportive trainer that doesn’t break the bank. It’s at par with its more expensive counterparts — offering superb lateral support, firm lockdown, reliable grip, and balanced cushioning. 

Rigid rubber sidewalls that cage the midfoot area prevent excessive lateral motions during fast HIIT intervals. Our feet feel stably locked in during dynamic movements, allowing us to remain planted on the ground. Under our arch is a plastic wedge for additional support, especially for those with high arches.

Renew Fusion’s outsole is wider and longer than the upper for better balance. We feel surefooted throughout our training since it offers reliable traction. Despite its build, we can flex our forefoot during lunges and burpees. This enhances our agility since we can maneuver the shoe easily.

The cushion delivers a perfect balance of support and energy return. It feels firm and protective for standing exercises while providing some bounce whenever we jump. The perforated upper also ensures all-day comfort with its breathability during heated workouts.

The prominent arch support feels quite intrusive for those with flat feet. We recommend exploring other options for a more comfortable experience.

We shuffled through cheap gym shoes and found the trainer with the best heel support — Reax 8 TR. While the average trainer is £110, this pair is only £90! We didn't break the bank to get this all-in-one versatile trainer! It’s highly cushioned and responsive, grippy as hell, and extremely breathable for all-day wear.

The platform feels soft and responsive to the touch. With Nike’s Reax cushioning in the heel, comfort, protection, and energy return is like no other. We can perform intense jumps and bursts of runs without too much pressure on our heels and knees.

Regardless of our movements — whether lateral, up and down, or zigzag — we feel agile enough to move quickly. The flex grooves around the shoe promote our natural motion, whereas the grippy outsole keeps our movements controlled. The bottom has circular rubber pods for maximum traction.

The upper keeps us feeling refreshed with its thin mesh providing excellent breathability. It gives us all-day comfort, taking away our worries and sweat.

The non-flat platform puts some pressure on our knees when squatting. We recommend trying another pair if the training is heavy on squats and lifts.

Speed TR satisfied our need for speed best while maintaining the below-£110 budget trainer. We feel quick and nimble as the insanely lightweight shoe gives us high ground sensitivity and flexibility. It also delivers a good amount of response when performing dynamic workouts such as sprints, box jumps, and the like.

With its low stack, we have a good feel of the ground which allows us to adapt quicker. Improving our speed is the forefoot that bends naturally with our motions, delivering smooth toe-offs on jumps and strides.

Keeping us quick on our feet is the airy build that doesn’t weigh us down. At a mere 8.5 oz (241g) vs. the 11.2 oz (317g) average, it doesn’t demand our attention and allows us to focus on our training. Wrapped with a cool and breezy mesh upper, the air flows in and out of the shoe freely. This effectively prevents hotspots and blisters.

We warn caution that we had to break this shoe in before experiencing its full-blast performance and speed.

Among the affordable trainers we brought to the gym, PUMA Enzo 2 offers the best comfort. For its £80 price tag vs. the £110 average trainer, it provides luxurious and all-day comfort with its soft cushion and breathable mesh construction. Its outsole displays solid grip for various workouts and is durable enough to last long.

Our feet appreciate the plush, cloud-like foam that allows us to move around comfortably and lift heavier weights. It instantly feels ready for training fresh out of the box. The SoftFoam+ inserts added protection to our feet, which still felt great after doing sets of heavy squats and deadlifts. 

The base feels pretty solid and steady as the outsole grips effectively to the ground, enhancing our control and sure-footedness. Even after weeks of training, the shoe still looks new so we expect it to be very durable.

Wrapping this comfort package all together is the mesh upper that allows air to flow freely. Our feet remained cool even during warm indoor workouts or intense sessions.

The heel doesn’t feel very secure during box jumps and lunges. We recommend dynamic trainers to find a trainer with a more secure lockdown.