The streamlined silhouette made me (and my sorta huge ft) a little bit fearful. However Lululemon’s sneakers are designed particularly for a girl’s foot, which makes the toe field a little bit roomier—I didn’t discover any pinching alongside the edges.
After I stood up in them, I may really feel the cushion beneath my foot—it was loads softer than I’d count on with lifting sneakers—and felt fairly supported on the ankle. I additionally beloved the padded tongue, which allowed for a good lacing lockdown with out it digging into the highest of my foot. After a fast stroll round my condo, I felt excited to take them to the fitness center to see how they do with extra intense motion.
Christa Sgobba
On the fitness center
I made a decision to check out the Chargefeel 2 throughout a higher-rep, lighter-weight lower-body exercise that adopted a fast treadmill warm-up. From the get-go, I used to be stoked: I actually take pleasure in prepping my legs for energy coaching with a brief, straightforward jog, however I’m by no means in a position to do it as a result of I at all times put on utterly flat lifting sneakers for a session—that are a no-go for me for operating, particularly since I’m vulnerable to some lower-leg accidents.
My warm-up was lower than a mile at my straightforward tempo, however I undoubtedly may have gone longer: These felt cushiony for operating and weren’t blocky or unwieldy like some sneakers I’ve tried that additionally promise to do all of it. The heel help within the shoe helped hold my foot regular with every stride.
Throughout my lifting portion, I did each dynamic strikes and extra conventional energy coaching workout routines: barbell reverse lunges, dumbbell single-leg deadlifts, goblet squats, lateral step-ups, and a few mini-band work. I actually loved the pliability of the shoe throughout the lunges; generally with lifting sneakers, I really feel just like the foot that’s shifting has to essentially combat to get on its toes. As for workout routines the place each ft remained planted, these sneakers stayed secure on the ground and didn’t wobble (which frequently occurs if I attempt to squat or hinge in trainers). I discovered the shoe particularly useful throughout lateral step-ups. This type of dynamic, facet to facet motion could be tough in stiff, flat, trainers, however the Chargefeel 2 supported me and allowed me the vary of movement I wanted.
Sizes: 5-12 (together with half sizes); Widths: one; Weight: 9.1 oz; Heel-to-toe drop: 9.5 mm; Colorways: Baked Clay/Peach Fuzz/Sundown; White/Vapor/Delicate Mint; Vapor/Silver Drop/White; and Black/White/Anchor
Backside line
For exercises that embody a bunch of various modalities—operating, lifting, lateral motion—the Lululemon Chargefeel 2 ensures every portion stays as snug because the others. I’d select this shoe for routines which might be heavy on the dynamic motion, particularly HIIT-based routines, circuit lessons, or people who have you ever shifting from the treadmill to the free-weight ground and again once more. Because of their cushion, help, and normal fairly look, they’d even be a stable alternative for walks with buddies, operating errands, or informal gatherings.
I’d lean towards the Chargefeel 2 for exercises that do some little bit of every thing moderately than these which might be utterly targeted on going all in on one modality. As an illustration, whereas these felt nice on a treadmill warm-up, I in all probability wouldn’t take them on a long term or a pace session. And so they had been supportive with dynamic energy coaching strikes like lunges, but when I used to be doing a routine with max-weight large strikes like barbell deadlifts, I’d persist with my flat-bottomed sneakers to essentially dial in my stability. However for these days the place your physique is craving all of it, these are an amazing choice to get it finished.
Associated: