Are Primark trainers any good for gym/ running?

[Rulerofmyheart]

Hi all,

I'm just starting to get fit again after a medical issue. I put my trainers in the wash and idiotically forgot to turn off the drier cycle thus they have melted and fallen to bits!!

Money is very tight this month to buy a replacement pair but I don't want to lose the momentum of going to the gym regularly.

Are Primark trainers ok for working out in/ walking/ running at a couch25k level, even if only to tide me over until my pay is rectified at the end of the month? Has anybody got any particular style they'd recommend?

Thanks!

They should be OK for the gym or doing workout DVDs at home, but if you're going to be doing C25K then its worth getting some proper running trainers. You can get a basic pair from a reputable brand such as Asics for around £50 from SportsShoes.com or SportsDirect, and they'll last much longer than a cheap pair. You do really need some proper running trainers or you'll end up with injuries before you've got very far. You'll also need a proper high impact running bra. Primark will be fine for other running gear such as leggings and tops though.

I would be careful running in shoes which aren’t designed for running. Can do more harm than good

You should buy good quality shoes and bra for running.

I recommend Asics Windhawks which are £45 in Decathlon.

You might want to post this in fitness rather than style and beauty for some better advice.

I got my karrimor to bing trainers for about £25 in sports direct and i love them for c25k

Without any evidence, I would confidently say no.

Don't scrimp on trainers or sports bras, that's my advice.

They're not great to be honest. They're very light, more of a fashion item I would say. What size are you OP? I'm a 3-4 and usually buy kids runners. They're miles cheaper. I paid about £30 for a pair of Asics in TK Maxx recently.

Thanks v much for the replies everyone

Hm.. doesn't sound like they'd be great for running in but unfortunately it's more or less all I can stretch to til payday.

What I might do, if they should be ok.for the gym, is concentrate on the gym for now then get back to running once I have some proper trainers. I suppose that's better than risking an injury and being set right back. I don't use the treadmill at the gym.

Thanks for the suggestions for good quality trainers at reasonable prices. I'll definitely look at those come payday.

Luckily I have a decent sports bra already

Thanks tokyo, is there any way to move the thread? Mainly in case anyone has suggestions for dirt cheap alternatives

Thanks Hilda but i'm a 6, do kids shoes go that high (maybe boys?)

TBH if you're doing couch to 5 k for a few weeks and you don't have an issue which has meant getting specially fitted running shoes inthe past I can't see the primary ones doing much harm until pay day. If you have a pronation and your running a full 5k in them 3x a week for a month it's s very bad idea.

Thanks RJ- no danger of me running 5k just yet I'm afraid, I'm starting again from a very low fitness level at the run- walk stage

They'll definitely do a turn for you, for the price they are great. I watched a few youtube videos on C25K before starting, and one girl wore primark trainers without a problem. They won't be as supportive. But for light exercise they are more than fine.

I would be careful. I started C25K last week, wearing New Balance trainers. I thought they would be fine but they're a few years old and they're the suede fashion trainers rather than actual running ones. First run went fine, second run I came home in utter agony and a week later am walking with a serious limp with the pain in my right knee. Went to the doctor and I have to wait 2 weeks until I can run again and have been advised to buy some shock absorbing running shoes.

Hopefully they will ride you over for a few weeks but if you're going to be running a lot you should really get fitted for proper running shoes. I would avoid sports direct as most staff there don't have a clue. Are there any speciality running/sports shops in your area? They would be able to analyse you gait and fit you correctly. So many injuries are caused by poorly fitting shoes!

I would buy a quality pair on ebay or post in a local FB group and see if someone will lend you a pair - im sure loads of people have trainers theyve barely worn gathering dust at home.

I would say if you can run on grass/the beach you will get away with it.

I wouldn't buy them to run in. Badly fitting trainers must be the major cause of beginner injury, and once injured it can take weeks, or months, to recover and get back up to previous levels of fitness. The injury tends to be to a joint, or the foot rather than the muscle so takes longer to repair. If you are planning to go to the gym and do low impact exercise like cycling or stair climbing, both of which are good cross-training exercises for running, then it should be okay.

As an aside, persinally, I would avoid Karrimor. They used to be a good brand, but since Sports Direct bought them they have gone downhill and the quality is poor. The trainers are often advertised at a large discount, with the original price being similar to more reputable brands, but the truth is they are always on sale

Don't put your new running trainers in the wash. Even without the drying cycle they are not intended to be washed, and they will be ruined. Also, make sure to go up at least half a size when buying. This gives the foot room to swell and reduces the chance of bruised toenails and blisters.

Good luck with your training.

I did wear new look trainers when I first started going to the gym ten years ago. I lost a shit load of weight but probably didn't help my feet. I've now had asics for around a year and I promise the "investment" is worth it. Mine were only £30-40 and I've had them for around five years, they've been on countless runs and HIIT sessions.

I would avoid sports direct and karrimor as others have said. They are the equivalent of supermarket trainers and the shop treat their staff poorly.

Maybe get your gait and feet measured at a sports shop then look around for what they recommend. Can you look on eBay? I’ve had brooks trainers from tkmaxx before (£150 down to £35)

Good idea for deciding to wait! But I just wanted to reiterate what the majority have said that you should never wear fashion or non running shoes for running. It's hugely stressful on your joints (I know I ran marathons in another lifetime aka pre kids).

Decathlon do their own range of running shoes which are cheap and worth looking at. Nike shoes can also be cheap for e.g. if you buy a new pair but that's a few seasons old. The design stays the same but the colours change!

I know I’m going against the grain here, disclaimers etc. but if you’re running 1 minute x 8 e.g c25k you aren’t going to do great damage. In crossfit we run 200 & 400 m etc. without big squashy trainers (as they aren’t good for crossfit). No bad effects yet.