For those who use lifts or height increasing shoes..

I'll jump right to it.

I dropped the idea of LL somewhat recently and I am currently looking towards using either lifts or some type of athletic shoe with higher heels like the Nike Air Max brand to gain height. I only have a few concerns that I hope some of you can perhaps answer for me.

One

For anyone here that uses shoes like the Nike air max, what is your experience like over at the gym? Personally, I like to lift weights, do intense exercises, and run. However, I get the notion that it would a bit different if I were using air max or some type of other higher heeled sneaker since these aren't your ordinary types of shoe conditions. Being rather poor, buying nike air max is quite an investment for me so, I'd really appreciate anyone's advice on this.

Two

For me, I don't mind the idea of using a shoe lift since I'm flat footed and I could easily pass off that the insoles are for comforting purposes. However, I just want to ask what it feels like for the wearer. Is walking just as normal? Can you use your insole in sport conditions, and what types of shoes do they do best/worst in? Seriously, the information would really be appreciated in my decision making.

These were the ones I was looking at

 http://www.amazon.com/Premium-Silicon-Elevator-Shoes-Insole/dp/B0042LIUDW/ref=sr_1_1?s=industrial&ie=UTF8&qid=1451047528&sr=1-1&keywords=Half+Elevator+Insole+for+Men+-+1%2F2+inches+gel

http://www.amazon.com/Half-Elevator-Insole-Men-inches/dp/B0042LKX1E

Thanks folks!

I occasionally use 1,5cm lifts and I can tell you that they are quit comfortable to wear. I haven't tried any larger lifts since I don't like the way they feel.
Why don't you get yourself some used air max than? I'm sure you can get them in a good condition for half the price.
 I haven't worn mine in another place than the gym, but you feel the height gain . The only downside is that people will assume that you are uncomfortable with your height simply by seeing you wearing them.
Dr. Solomin is cheap and has decent credentials, if you are still looking for a good and affordable Dr.

I am using lifts for quite a while now, so I'll try to elaborate on your question here.

-> One: When you are using shoe lifts, obviously your balance will be altered. So if you try heavy exercising in the gym, doing squats f.e. it could be dangerous, especially if you are lifting weights. If you are using a running shoe (Asics), which gives you support on the sides it might work better, but an Air Max shoe has nothing like that.
I would definetly discourage you to use lifts, when you are running. You will mostly experience a turned ankle.

-> Two: Walking with lifts really depends on the shoe, and how much you want to "gain". Most of the lifts advertise, that you can use 5 cm lifts but in this case I made the experience that you have to think more conservative. The maximum I am using is 2-3 cm lifts, which equals about 2-3 "lift pads". You have a few issues here: A) Again balance. You more you put in, the more you will lose balance when you are walking (and I literally mean walking). It happened to me a couple of times that I turned my ankle. B) Your foot will look unnatural. Especially when you are sitting, and put one leg over another your foot will look elevated and everybody will notice that. C) When you have to take off your shoes everybody will notice that you are getting a lot shorter (again depending on how much you want to elevate).
Moreover, there is the aspect which I have mentioned in the beginning of this paragraph. Which shoe? The best shoes for lifts are classic winter boots, because you have support on the sides, and nobody will see that you have elevated with lifts and/or classic running shoes. In the summer you might have to tune it down a bit, because of the obvious reasons. :-)

No one really cares if you have these or those shoes on. They are simply shoes. Nike Air Max just have the benefit of giving you 2-3cm boost; but then again so do plenty of basketball shoes and those are now highly fashionable among young adults. Don't read into what others would assume lol: it's dumb

Nike Air Max feel pretty good and they don't affect anything at all. They come in a wide variety of styles so really it's all up to you. Also other sneaker brands also do give a good boost; it never feels like I'm lying to anyone other than to myself by a miniscule margin

Thanks for the information, I really think I understand this 'lift concept' a lot better now. I only have one other thing to ask in regards to higher heeled shoes.

As I have already stated, I'm contemplating getting an air max for the purpose of using them at the gym and running with them. First, what is it like using an Air Max (or similar shoe) while in the gym? I'd imagine that the higher heels on the shoe would possibly have an impact on balance and could be a hazard while in the gym? I say this because I've never work a shoe with such a height boost and want to know if I could perform exercises normally. Secondly, is it really that conspicuous to wear an air max while lifting? I get a mixed feeling based off of the answers here than some people will notice and some will just not pay any mind to it since air maxes, ascics, basketball shoes, etc are becoming quite a norm nowadays.

And finally, I only plan to use a 1/2 inch pair of lifts (the ones I posted in the op). Will it really look that unnatural if the height gain is that small?

Thanks

Well I use my Air Max running models for all my day to day activities. I don't know if it's because I just got so used to them but.... it feels normal. There really isn't any sort of changes to working out; it's a small, yet noticeably good noost, but it's so dimunitive that it really feels normal. They typically give 2-3 cm and that doesn't even feel like a lot. Never used lifts so there's that.

I used to have 3cm lifts in my Nike air shoes to the gym, it didn' t impact my workout at all .I could run and lift weight normal. I was in lifts for 4 years until I had enough and decided to do LL because there was many times that I had to take off my shoes and meet with people and I felt very bad.

The bad thing about shoes is you can't wear them all the time. So just as an example if you use lifts, and are satisfied with your "new height" when wearing them, you meet new people and become friends with them, and they remember you being this tall. But one day some of your new friends invite you home, and then the house owner says "Please take off your shoes". That's when your mind goes "Fuuuuuuuu....", etc.

Look into weightlifting or cross fit shoes. You might be able to find some that look casual. They often have 1 inch heels and are designed to cope with pretty strenuous activity.