Women's Training Shoes
ASICS builds its training and athletics shoes around the fact that movement isn't just forward. Lunges, step-ups, agility drills, changes of direction mid-set, a session where your feet load differently every few seconds. The design focuses on a more flexible sole: better ground contact when you're not running in a straight line. It's a different problem to a running shoe, and one ASICS has been solving since its first shoe in 1950: a basketball shoe refined through testing to stop, turn and change direction. The founding idea sits in the name too. ASICS comes from the phrase, Anima Sana In Corpore Sano, meaning a sound mind in a sound body.
Each model in this range brings something different underfoot. The GEL-550TRā¢ is built for lateral work: agility drills, side steps, anything that moves you off a straight line. DUOMAXā¢ runs through the midsole for structured support, which matters most if your training regime varies from week to week rather than sticking to one type of session. It also holds up well as a walking shoe, handy if that's part of your week too. Itās one of the more versatile womenās trainers that ASICS offers for a mixed routine. If you'd rather a shoe that sits closer to everyday wear, the SportStyle range has sneakers with enough structure to handle a lighter gym session.
Some feet roll in more under load than others, which you can learn more about in our Pronation Guide. That guide is written with running in mind, but pronation is a trait of your foot rather than the sport, so if you already know your type from a running shoe fitting, it still gives you a rough steer here. For training, the more useful question is whether the midsole holds its shape when you're squatting, jumping or moving side to side under fatigue, which is where technology like DUOMAXā¢ and TRUSSTICā¢ come in, giving a shoe enough structure to stay stable under load. If you're not sure how much support you need, ASICS Foot-ID gives you a free in-store fit assessment.
What are the best cross training shoes for women?
The best ASICS cross training shoe depends on how your sessions are structured. If your training mixes lateral movement, agility drills and general gym work, GEL-550TRā¢ is a strong all-rounder, with DUOMAXā¢ midfoot support and GELā¢ cushioning in both the forefoot and rearfoot. If you want a sneaker built for everyday wear that can still handle a lighter session, the SportStyle range is definitely worth a look.
Can I use training shoes for walking, or do I need a dedicated walking shoe?
For short walks or everyday wear, most training shoes are comfortable enough. ASICS models like the GEL-550TRā¢ are built to handle both, with a smoother heel-to-toe transition suited to walking as well as lateral training work.
Are training shoes suitable for HIIT and group fitness classes?
Training shoes suit HIIT and group fitness classes, provided the shoe matches the movement. Classes built around jumps, direction changes and floor work call for a flatter, more flexible sole with enough cushioning to take repeated landings. GEL-550TRā¢ covers both, with GELā¢ cushioning in the forefoot and rearfoot and a non-marking outsole suited to studio floors.
