The best trainers for every kind of workout – running, aerobics, weightlifting

Pick the wrong trainers and you are looking at blisters at best and bunions and corns or knee and hip imbalances at worst.

‘When trying on trainers make sure your ankle fits nicely into the shoe and there’s enough room around the toe box,’ adds Anna.

‘There must be a thumb’s width distance between the end of the shoe and your toe. And remember, laces aren’t just there for fashion. They can help with things like high insteps, wide forefoot or “locking” narrow ankles inside the shoes.’

With this in mind, we’ve asked Anna what to look for in trainers for specific activities.

Best for running

‘This depends on the type of runner you are, but if you are doing long distances you need to find a trainer with a balance between structure and cushioning.

‘When you’re running your feet elongate and your arch will collapse slightly with every step, so you want to make sure you have enough space between the end of your toe and the shoe for when this happens.

‘While lightweight trainers can be popular, they aren’t appropriate for all runners, so have a gait analysis and always go for function over fashion.

‘Get it wrong and you could be facing shin splints, plantar fasciitis (pain under the foot and heel) and knee issues.’

Try these:

Hoka One One Bondi X

A road shoe with mega cushioning, the Hoka One One Bondi X has a heel-to-toe rocker sole that has its thickest point at the back to propel you forwards. A spring-loaded carbon-fibre plate provides an efficient transition and ultra-smooth toe-off.

For trail runners, Salomon’s Ultra Glide offers up an Energy Surge midsole combined with a new rocker shape to move you forwards. Moulded foam built into the forefoot gives superior cushioning and protects against tricky or stony terrain.

For everyday wear and urban exploration, the On Running Cloudflyer Waterproof has a 100% wind and waterproof membrane. A midfoot stability tube means support for agility and Helion superfoam gives better energy return.

The Decathlon Domyos Women’s Fitness 520 comes with an HX Flex system that allows you to move in every direction, a special knit material to give lateral reinforcement and a sole that absorbs impact.

Made for the intensity of a HIIT class, the Reebok HIIT TR 2.0 is lightweight and cushions your moves, while grooves in the forefoot provide flexibility for dynamic movement.

Asics Sky Elite FF2 is sold as a volleyball shoe but a curved heel design provides easier forward transition, while the midsole and lateral forefoot gauge offer stability, and grooves in the outsole offer flexibility.

Designed for fusion sessions of strength training and HIIT, the Puma Fuse has a wide toe box to give a stable stance, while the internal midsole provides shock absorption for heavily weighted workouts.

If your training is more geared towards heavy lifting, the Adidas Powerlift 4 has been engineered to give expert support and stability: from the foot strap to the solid elevated heel and durable canvas upper that lets your toes flex as you lift.

The midfoot of this 361 Europe Quest TR has soft internal webbing and a mono sock to hold the foot secure. A heel counter locks the foot down for extra stability and an outsole of sticky rubber gives traction.

Decathlon’s Perfly BS 500 JR trainer would suit an intermediate player who’s looking for good cushioning with a lightweight and breathable upper.

Based on the 1975 heritage trainer worn by tennis pro Mark Cox, the Gola Women’s High Trainer shoe is a great option for amateur court-based sports.

The sole provides a strong grip on surfaces and the high-top design adds extra support when pivoting.

Durable and with precise underfoot cushioning in the midsole, New Balance’s Fresh Foam X Lav V2 helps you stay on top of each stride and stroke and take performance to the next level.