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Weight not available (It’s a gym shoe)
Stack height unavailable (7 mm drop)
Liftin’ heavy at the gym
TPU Stability Wrap, TYRTAC outsole, SURGENRG midsole, Secure lacing system
Available now for $150
CHAD: I spent most of 2023 and early 2024 focused on improving my running, with the goal of setting a new PR at the Wilmington, NC marathon in February and the York, PA half marathon in May. After achieving both of those goals, I did an assessment of where I felt I could improve when it came to my overall fitness. In my late 20s, I spent a good amount of time in the gym lifting weights. However, I never would have considered myself a gym rat — I was more of a dabbler when it came to strength training.
After my assessment, I decided I was going to pull back a bit on my running (going from four days and 25-30 miles per week down to three days and 15-20 miles per week) and spend more time in the gym with three solid strength training sessions. The hope is that I would maintain my base running fitness while improving my strength, mobility, and body composition, with the ultimate goal of becoming a better, more well-rounded runner. Overall, I wanted to start living the Nick Bare hybrid athlete lifestyle, embracing the ethos of “Lift Heavy and Run Far.”
Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of reviewing the TYR Valkyrie Speedworks tempo shoe, which is still in the running for Most Surprising Shoe of 2024. In that review, I made reference to TYR’s background being primarily in the swimming, triathlon, and weightlifting realm and off-handedly said I would love to review one of their gym trainers. Well, sure enough, several months later, a surprise delivery showed up at my door: the TYR CXT-2, the brand’s newest trainer. It was perfect timing, as I was about to start a brand new 12-week lifting plan.
So, if you’re expecting a running-focused breakdown, I’ll save you the time — it ain’t here. Instead, we’re gonna talk about cross-training for once.
CHAD: I don’t even know where to start. The CXT-2 is one of the most comfortable gym trainers I have ever worn. The upper is plush while still being secure to keep the foot stable and solid over the platform — a must on heavy compound lifts like squats and deadlifts. TYR uses a TPU stability wrap in the upper to get that locked-in feel around the foot, with a good amount of foam around the ankle for comfort. The fit is perfect; I have absolutely zero complaints.
One of the other things I really look for in a gym trainer is great outsole traction. I want to know that no matter what, my feet will stay planted in place, especially on moves we all hate, like lunges, split squats, or planks. TYR’s outsole is called TYRTAC, and it’s on par with some of the best outsoles in the running market, like PumaGrip or Adidas’ Continental Rubber. At no point in my almost 3 weeks of wearing this shoe for each workout did I feel like I was having a traction issue.
The midsole foam TYR uses is called SURGENRG, which it claims is ultra-responsive. I haven’t necessarily put it through any sort of HIIT or similar workouts that would test the foam’s responsiveness. That said, I did feel like the foam provided a solid and stable platform for compound lifts while still being flexible enough to be comfortable for exercises like calf raises, push-ups, and the like.
I was a little hesitant about the all-red colorway, but it grew on me to the point where I actually really like how it stands out at the gym. TYR does have some other understated colorways if that’s your forte, or you can go full send with some zebra stripes.
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CHAD: TYR touts its secure lacing system as one of the CXT-2’s top features, but I’m not so sure. The laces and tongue are both great independently, but I’m not sure they work well together. The tongue is incredibly plush and interestingly shaped, which makes it rather tough to tie. Crank ’em down too tight, and they might end up behind the tongue itself, which doesn’t feel great.
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CHAD: Realistically, I could sum up my experience with the CXT-2 Trainer in 4 words: I love this shoe. It is comfortable and stable and gives me the confidence to push myself in my workouts. TYR killed it with the CXT-2 — I couldn’t want or expect anything more from a gym shoe.
Just keep in mind that I didn’t run a single mile in this one, so don’t expect it to be a do-it-all shoe in that way.
You can pick up the TYR CXT-2 Trainer for $150 directly from TYR using the buttons below.
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An attorney by day, Chad lives in Central Pennsylvania with his wife and three kids. Never much for running growing up, Chad began running as a way to improve his physical health. He went from his first 5k in 2015 to running the Paris Marathon in 2016. Given his larger physical build, Chad is the resident Clydesdale runner, providing shoe and gear insights for those with a bigger build and taller stature.
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