Sponsored Post: @Puma FormLite XT Shoe Review

The following post is sponsored by FitFluential, LLC on behalf of PUMA.

My husband thinks my shoe collection is out of control. I admit that it is, but I fail to see the problem. I am woman, after all, and I love shoes. When I was working in advertising, I would make frequent trips to TJ Maxx to check out the Size 7 rack. You know, just in case they got the perfect shoe in that day. I still have some of those perfect shoes in my closet, most of which are high heels. But these days, they collect more dust than compliments as I am always in athletic shoes. And admittedly, I have more than one pair of athletic shoes—translation, my shoe collection is out of control.

Just try and stop me from adding to it, though. When FitFluential offered up the chance to review the Puma Formlite XL Ultra athletic shoe, well...my hand shot in the air so fast the air didn't even know what hit it. C'mon, now. The more the merrier. And the brighter the better, which is why I liked what I saw when I slid open the box

Let's pause and reflect on the box itself for a second:

Reusable tote. Great idea.
The shoes:

Now, I know you're thinking that black isn't necessarily bright, but the orange hits ya like a Starbucks sign announcing the arrival of the Pumpkin Spice Latte. You suddenly can't look at anything else.

Details. Love me some details. Speaking of: This isn't a running shoe, which is good because I really don't like running in them. I've been wearing them in all of my classes, and they're extremely comfortable. But not "running shoe" comfortable, if that makes sense. I can run just fine in them, sure, but three-laps-around-the-track fine. Not three miles fine.

Why are they so comfortable? They're extremely light and flexible. Everything you want in a training shoe, really. Check out the bottom:

Different, no? Inspired by a feather, true story. Just looking at the cutouts, you can tell this shoe bends and flexes in nothing short of a 360-degree pattern. The pods are all injected with the right kind of foam—but honestly, it's these pods that make this shoe somewhat uncomfortable to run in. At least for me. I can feel them when I'm really pounding the pavement. But not when I'm doing squat jumps or lunges or just walking around. But again, it's not a running shoe. It's a training/athletic shoe.

The top part of the shoe is great, too. Very light and sock-like.

I mean, here's the thing. When you're in the gym more than once a week, or when you're obsessed with shoes like I am...or even if you like to have the right equipment for the right activity, why not invest in a pair of athletic/training shoes? The way I see it, it's fun to switch from shoe to shoe. And athletic/training shoes extend the life of your running shoes. How so? Running shoes wear down a bit more with every mile you put on them, so why add to that deterioration by wearing them when you strength train (or whatever it is you do outside of running)?

But, you know, I'm pretty good at justifying any shoe purchase.

Speaking of strength training. Yesterday, I talked about wall sits and the impending 3:30 wall sit in today's HIIT class. Verdict: Great success. I'm so proud of my students. If you want to get in on the action, you can pin this for your next workout:

Keep fitness fun, y'all.

Question: What kind of shoes do you wear when you're strength training? Do you buy specific shoes for each of the physical activities you participate in, or do you rock one pair no matter what?