All the fancy features do impact your workouts. The trademarked foam, gel, and knit components can help you avoid injury, and even improve your performance.

For example, look for shoes with support and cushioning to balance the impact (jumping, running in place, and side-to-side motion) in studio classes. “It is important that the shoes fit properly and provide comfort and support, and they also have good lateral counters, are lightweight, and have a good pivot point on the forefoot sole,” says Dr. Mendeszoon.

Or, if loading up in the weight room is your jam, you need shoes that create a stable base. That means a zero drop or flat sole, according to Dr. Mendeszoon. “Many lifting activities require the feet to be intimate with the ground so that stability, support, and dynamic mobility can be provided,” he says. “The shoes should be very lightweight and responsive.”