Puma PWR Frame TR2 Review – A Solid Option for All Gym-Goers 

Many believe that you can rock your old takkies or running shoes while at gym, and the truth is, you can get away with that; but for anyone taking a good look at form, understanding the correct stance during exercise, and wanting to work out effectively with functional and weight training, having the right footwear is not only recommended, but also the safe option.

Most running shoes feature a heel drop, which means that the heel is elevated to put your foot in a more ‘sprinting’ position. Even if this is a few millimetres, picking up weights, trying to focus on static stability, and keeping your hips and knees aligned become difficult, and you may not even know that you’re overcompensating due to this.

Hence why Puma has introduced the PWR Frame TR2: a dedicated training shoe that features a flatter, wider base, a lot of room in the toe-box, and the stability, support, durability, and breathability that you need when smashing those gym sessions.

While many training-specific shoes can feel a bit clunky, the PWR Frame TR2s feel like slick sneakers, thanks to a lightweight textile upper and lighter EVA foam sole. 

The shoes also feature Puma’s PWR Tape which has appeared on some of their other running and football silos; these are essentially reinforced portions and strips meshed into the upper. It’s subtle, you can feel the additional stability on the left and right side of your foot, while allowing the top part of your foot to feel free against the soft upper, keeping your foot in a more natural, locked-in position.

After working out in running shoes, and then switching to the PWR Frames, there’s an immediate difference in form, which allowed me to have more confidence in planting your foot (with regards to box-jumps and functional training), and keeping your back, knees, and hips in the right position when lifting weights, rather than that slight forward-lean that ‘squishy’ running shoes produce.

While softer and bouncier running shoes are great for running, they’re not great for training. Puma’s PWR Frame TR2 is the perfect training shoe for those who spend some time in the gym, workout studio, or just require something with a bit more of a natural and supported build. And for the extremely reasonable price, they should be an option in everyone’s gym bag.

The Puma PWR Frame TR2 is priced at R1,799 on Puma’s official website.