Every great training shoe starts with a story and the Nano X5 Edge: F45 Training Edition is no exception. We sat down with Tal Short, lead designer at Reebok, to go behind the scenes of how this collaboration came to life. From performance details to the design choices that make it built for F45’s high-intensity workouts, Tal breaks down what makes this shoe different, and why it’s more than just another training shoe. Read on for an inside look at the process, the inspiration, and what F45 members can expect when they lace up.
Why does the right training shoe even matter in the first place?
F45 Training: Tell us a bit about your role and what it means to design a shoe specifically for functional training. Why does the right training shoe even matters in the first place?
Tal Short: It’s been an honor to lead Reebok Training Footwear for the past decade. I’ve had a front-row seat to a fundamental shift in the category. When I started, we were asking consumers to understand why they needed a training shoe. Today, consumers are increasingly seeking out footwear designed specifically for training because they understand that the right shoe can help them move, perform, and train better than a running shoe.
F45 Training: What was the starting design problem with the Nano X5 Edge: what gap were you solving for and what’s the biggest mistake you see people making when they choose shoes for functional training?
Tal Short: The Nano X5 Edge was built from firsthand insights gathered in the gym with our target consumers. What we saw was a clear sea of sameness—similar silhouettes, similar aesthetics, and little differentiation across the category. Yet consumers were hungry for something different. They wanted bolder shapes, more expressive color, and training footwear that made a statement.
F45 Training: How does this shoe differ from a running shoe or a general trainer? What design choices are unique to functional, multi-directional movement?
Tal Short: The defining difference between a running shoe and a training shoe is stability. Running shoes are optimized for forward motion, prioritizing lightweight construction and responsive cushioning. Training shoes need to do much more—they must provide a stable foundation for lifting, jumping, lateral movement, and everything in between.
Stability is a core pillar of the Nano franchise. The Nano X5 Edge keeps athletes grounded with a low stack height, a responsive yet firm midsole, and a stable platform designed for multidirectional movement. The result is a shoe that gives you the confidence to move with control through whatever your workout demands.
What’s the Biggest Misconception of a Training Shoe
F45 Training: A lot of people think any kind of general training shoe will work, what’s the biggest misconception about training shoes?
Tal Short: When you think about what makes a great training shoe, durability isn’t always the first thing that comes to mind. But the gym can be one of the toughest environments for footwear. That’s why we built the Nano to go the distance—to handle the grind, workout after workout. Because like a great training partner, Nano shows up, puts in the work, and stays with you through it all.
F45 Training: Walk us through the FlexWeave upper: what does it actually do for the athlete during a workout?
Tal Short: Great innovation doesn’t always come from traditional places. FlexWeave was originally developed for high-end office chairs, where its unique construction created an exceptional balance of flexibility, breathability, lightweight performance, and durability.
We saw an opportunity to bring that innovation to the gym. Eight generations later, FlexWeave has become a signature of the Nano franchise—and we continue to refine the material to make each generation better than the last.
F45 Training: F45 workouts move between strength, plyo, and cardio in the same session. How did that shape the design?
Tal Short: Versatility is at the heart of the Nano X5 Edge. F45 athletes don’t just train in one direction or at one intensity—they lift, jump, sprint, move laterally, and constantly transition from one challenge to the next. We built the Nano X5 Edge to be ready for all of it, then pushed it through rigorous testing to make sure it could withstand the same demands our athletes put themselves through every day.
Why The Reebok Nano X5 Edge: F45 Training Edition Is Engineered for You
F45 Training: Is there a specific feature you’d point to and say, ‘this is why it works for F45 members’?
Tal Short: Versatility and Style.
F45 Training: What made this an F45 edition specifically, rather than a general release?
Tal Short: F45 has been an incredible partner throughout the development of the Nano X5 Edge. We shared a commitment to getting every detail right, which led to multiple design sessions and countless refinements along the way. That level of collaboration is what makes the final product so special. Seeing the F45 mark alongside the Nano feels like a natural pairing of two franchises that share the same DNA—built around training, community, and performance.
F45 Training: What would you say to a coach who’s deciding whether to recommend this shoe to their members?
Tal Short: I would encourage the coach to test out a pair themselves. We are confident in the performance of the nano and we know the power of recommendations by the coaches.
Durability of the Nano
F45 Training: How does the shoe hold up to the kind of repeated, high-intensity use you’d see in an F45 class?
Tal Short: Durability is at the heart of the Nano. After 20 years of designing training footwear, we know where a shoe gets pushed hardest and what it takes to withstand those demands. The Nano X5 Edge is built from that experience—engineered to take the beating, handle the grind, and keep performing workout after workout.
F45 Training: If someone’s on the fence about trying it, what’s the one thing you’d want them to know?
Tal Short: Don’t let your footwear hold you back. You deserve the best. You deserve the Nano X5 Edge.
F45 Training: In one sentence: what should someone feel the first time they train in the Nano X5 Edge?
Tal Short: I only need one word: CONFIDENCE!
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