Our writer put the Under Armour Tribase Reign Training Shoes to the test at various HIIT workouts.
When it comes to HIIT workouts and weight lifting, proper footwear is the first thing you should consider in order to avoid injuries and nail your form. If you’re guilty of wearing your trusty running shoes that come with a high heel drop, stop. Instead, invest in a pair of lower-to-ground training shoes, which are designed to be flexible for multi-directional movements. They should also boast enough traction to help you stabilise yourself during moves like squats.
Under Armour’s new Tribase Reign Training Shoes ($179) feature a 2mm heel drop, which brings you closer to the ground, preventing possible ankle sprains during lateral movements like speed skater lunges.
(Also read: Sculpt Your Whole Body With These Strength-Training Exercises)
The review pair I tried came with chic black uppers and contrasting white outsoles made of durable rubber. Even the inner arches of the shoe were well-protected with the same rubber material to give you a firm grip on rope climbs. Designed to be a minimalist training shoe for athletes, it also comes in a light grey that will go easily with anything in your activewear collection.
My experience
On my first wear to a boxing class, I made the mistake of pairing the Tribase Reign Training Shoes with low-ankle socks. The seamless upper fitted snugly around my midfoot and my bunions had plenty of space at the roomy toe box. However, the absence of padding at the collar caused some chafing beneath my ankle bones, as well as the back of my heels.
And while the shoe laces ensured a secure fit, loosening and tightening them wasn’t as smooth a process as I hoped and required a fair amount of tugging. Once I got past that, it was time to test how well the Tribase Reign performed.
The shoes were a winner in the stability department. When I attempted goblet squat holds using dumbbells and kettlebell swings during a circuit training class, my feet didn’t rock and I was able to focus on training my core, quads and glutes. During explosive lateral bounds, the shoes felt steady – they didn’t wobble when I moved from side to side.
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Despite the low heel drop and flat base that comes with training shoes, there was enough underfoot cushioning to protect my feet against impact when I did explosive tuck jumps and box jumps.
I was also pleased with the amount of traction the shoes boasted. With every punch that I threw at water-filled and sand-filled boxing bags, they held me firmly to the ground upon impact and I didn’t find myself sliding around. The flexible forefoot, coupled with rubber built strategically beneath the toe box, allowed for a good floor grip when it came to holding a plank, even on a sweaty gym floor. The solid traction also gave me a more powerful push-off while doing burpees.
(Also read: This 17-Minute Interval Training Workout Will Tone You Up From Head to Toe)
Even though the Under Armour Tribase Reign shoes didn’t sit well with me at the start and requires some break-in time, the solution is easy – high socks!
Rating
Design: 4/5
Performance: 4/5
Value for money: 4/5
Overall: 4/5
Verdict
The Under Armour Tribase Reign Training Shoes ($179) provide optimal stability, traction and cushioning to power you through the most intense workouts. Plus, the sturdy uppers and rubber outsoles should last you more than just a few workouts, and give you your money’s worth.
(Also read: Video: The 8-Minute HIIT Workout That Will Boost Your Metabolism Like Crazy)