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Who said the Converse Chuck Taylor was a performance shoe of yore? The iconic silhouette is still the go-to for many serious gym-goers. Custom Shoes
When it comes to footwear, there’s no mistaking the timeless profile of a Converse Chuck Taylor. Whether cut high or low, that canvas upper and oddly fuzzy sole is as iconic as a Levi’s back pocket or Ralph Lauren polo player. But over the years, Chuck Taylors have moved beyond their basketball shoe beginnings, trading in sweat and athleticism for style and aesthetics.
While Chucks aren’t routinely ruling the hardwood or tackling other athletic endeavors anymore, one sector of the populus still turns to this trusted sneaker more often than not — weightlifting enthusiasts. That’s right, the athletes looking to move max-loaded barbells as efficiently as possible forgo the tech and stylings of today’s footwear in favor of a silhouette that’s one outsole away from being an over-engineered sock.
But why do these muscle-bound individuals opt for a shoe profile that hasn’t changed in nearly 100 years? To find out, we spoke to Todd Hamer, general manager at Union Fitness and former Division 1 strength and conditioning coach, asking why this simple sneaker still has its feet firmly planted in gyms everywhere.
It’s no secret that today’s running and training shoes feature far more advanced components than the profiles of yesteryear. Soft and technical foams. Durable, breathable uppers. Grippy and lightweight outsole tread patterns. While there’s plenty of benefit to be had with these refined kicks (trust us, we spend a lot of time in them), all that technology isn’t necessarily needed when it comes to lifting weights.
In order to move heavy weight, specifically in the squat and deadlift, you want to push off your platform as efficiently as possible. That can be more of a challenge in highly-cushioned sneakers, though, since you need to fight through the layered midsole before achieving that grounded foot positioning. Chuck Taylors, on the other hand, place you closer to the ground from the start, so there’s little wasted energy as you lock out your big set.
The flat nature of a Chuck Taylor outsole can also benefit your grounded footing in these exercises. There’s more contact with the platform or flooring itself, which helps create a more stable stance where you need it most.
Speaking of stability, the canvas upper of Chuck Taylors can create an appealing support system as well. For one, specifically in high-tops, the canvas covers the ankle for a little more rigidity, which can be appealing for avid squat enthusiasts. Secondly, canvas is pliable, which can help you get a more comfortable footing. “I think it’s good that you can move your foot within the shoe,” says Hamer. “When you get under a heavy load, the foot will tend to flatten out.”
There’s also a psychological aspect to working out in Chuck Taylors that can help you get into the right training mindset. Thanks to their now uncommon use as a gym shoe, putting on Chucks could be a helpful trigger to get yourself mentally ready for the weights, according to Hamer.
“I always go back to ‘Over the Top’ with [Sylvester] Stallone and he says, ‘What I do is I just try to take my hat and I turn it around, and it's like a switch that goes on. And when the switch goes on, I feel like another person, I feel, I don't know, I feel like a ... like a truck.’”
80s nostalgia aside, there is merit to this quote. Hamer notes that having a change — a switch — to help your mind get ready for training can help you zone in on making the lifts. Utilizing this mental tool could be the key to getting you to a new PR or through a lingering sticking point. And when you put those flat-soled sneakers on, you get that “Go time,” boost, says Hamer. “Put that Chuck on, you know. When you put it on your foot, you’re ready to train.”
Converse has been a fashion mainstay not solely because of the iconic design. These kicks are relatively cheap, too, especially when compared to other footwear options. The lower entry cost and wide availability means athletes looking to improve their gym kicks can easily find a pair of Chuck Taylors for their needs.
It’s also important to recognize the versatility of Chuck Taylors when it comes to your wardrobe. Granted, you shouldn’t be wearing your gym shoes as your daily sneakers, but if you do pick up a pair of Converses for training and find them uncomfortable, you’re still left with a damn fine lifestyle kick. Other gym shoes don’t fall back as easily into a shoe rotation, so the budget-friendly risk can still be worth it when it comes to Chucks.
While we’ve made a strong (pun intended) case for Chuck Taylors as a worthwhile gym shoe, we admit that they’re not for everyone. One of the biggest factors separating Converse from today’s shoes is the lack of a heel-to-toe drop. Sure, this is the sole point of the barefoot movement and can be healthy for your feet, but if you’re accustomed to normal shoes, that zero drop can leave you with an uncomfortable fit.
“Yes, the human body is meant to be barefoot,” Hamer says, “It’s also not meant to do cleans, walk on asphalt and have broken glass around it. Shoes are good for a reason, and different shoes are good for different purposes.”
Additionally, the canvas upper of Chuck Taylors has a good sense of flexion for toe splaying and comfort, but when it comes time for agility-minded workouts, you could be left slipping and sliding within the footbed. There’s little to no support across the medial and lateral sides of the shoe, whereas modern training sneakers boast a cradle-like shelf that can better withstand your side-to-side movements.
Sure, the zero drop aesthetics of Converses can be great for creating a grounded base, but there’s a reason modern weightlifting shoes elevate the heel for squats and Olympic lifts. With a raised heel and closer stance, weightlifting shoes can help promote a more comfortable knee plane, thus creating a more natural squat movement.
Hamer says that while he still appreciates Chuck Taylors for exercises like deadlifts, he has since evolved his footwear rotation by wearing weightlifting shoes specifically for front squats. This change in footwear, he states, was a response to his body changing over time, which is a notion he values greatly and promotes to others when choosing fitness equipment.
Breathable Work Boots “I think that's something people have to appreciate, too. As you age, as you grow. As you change as a lifter, as a human, the shoe you wear may change because you’re physically a different person, and you’re going to have different tightnesses, different strengths, different weaknesses,” Hamer says.