# Ultra-Versatile Gym Shoes The Nike Metcon 1 Can Handle Intense Weightlifting and Cardio Sessions By Rahul Kalvapalle | Published 2015-02-25 | Fashion Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nike-metcon-1 References: [roguefitness](http://www.roguefitness.com/nike-metcon-1-dark-gray-volt-white) & [news.nike](http://news.nike.com/news/nike-training-introduces-the-much-anticipated-metcon-1) The [Nike](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nike-metcon-9) MetCon 1 is a shoe that is designed to support workouts of the highest intensity throughout every level of competition. While it's well and good to put out sport-specific shoes for soccer or basketball, every athlete has to put in long, hard hours in the gym lifting weights or doing cardio, so it's important to have access to a shoe designed for those activities. The shoe is versatile in that it is designed for pretty much anything you'd do in a gym. It has a firm heel that handle the demands of [weight lifting](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vivobarefoot-motus-strength-ii), keeping you steady when you squat or dead-lift brutal weights. Meanwhile its midsole offers cushioning and support for cardio and plyometric exercises. Ultimately, what you want in a [gym shoe](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gymshark-x-rad-sneakers) is for it to perform at a level where you don't need to worry about comfort or fit and can just push yourself to the limit. The Nike MetCon 1 promises you just that. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.0/10 - Popularity: 74% | Activity: 69% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion) > [Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/shoes) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Versatile Gym Footwear:** There is an opportunity for brands to create versatile athletic shoes that can handle multiple types of exercises and intensity levels. - **Sport-specific Footwear:** While gyms shoes should be versatile, there is also room for creating sport-specific footwear, such as for basketball, soccer, or tennis. - **Innovative Training Gear:** Athletic brands can continue to innovate and improve upon gym gear to improve performance and overall experience for athletes. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Athletic Footwear:** Athletic shoe brands can keep up with consumer demand for innovative gym and sports-specific shoes, as well as creating multi-functional gym shoes. - **Fitness Equipment:** Innovative designs for gym and fitness equipment can support athlete performance and help with injury prevention. - **Sportswear:** Sportswear brands can create high-performance athletic apparel to complement gym footwear and improve overall athlete experience. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Performance-Focused Training Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/reebok-nano-x5.md) - [Performance-Focused Training Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cloudpulse.md) - [Intense Gym Training Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/on-cloudpulse-pro.md) - [Functional Training Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dropset-4.md) - [Neutral Support Training Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nike-air-winflo-10.md) - [Minimalist Barefoot Gym Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vivobarefoot-motus-strength-ii.md) - [Durable Training Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nano-x5-edge.md) - [Adaptable Road-to-Trail Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nike-pegasus-trail-5.md) - [Durable Urbanite Shoe Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nike-c1ty-surplus.md)