westsider19
Level 3 Valued Member
So after a few weeks of practicing Pavel's KB/bodyweight stuff, the area that is lagging the most are my pistols (I was able to do 1AP's in about a week).
I'm 38, with flat feet, and ditched my orthotics (which I've worn since a teenager) a couple years ago after getting serious into powerlifting. Since then I've walked around orthotic-less with zero problems, much to the horror of podiatrists. Then, maybe a year ago, I started squatting and deadlifting barefoot. I remember not being able to run or play basketball without orthotics when I was a teenager, now I was sprinting, wearing whatever shoes I want (or none), and doing whatever my heart desired with zero pain. I can't break down how much my feet improved due to powerlifting vs powerlifting barefoot, but both have been wonderful for my feet.
Then the lockdown happened, and after two weeks of just walking (and no lifting), my feet began to hurt. Shortly after I discovered Pavel (thanks Louie Simmons/Donnie Thompson), and here I am. I am grateful to Pavel and the community here for keeping me occupied and excited during this time.
So with the pistols, I have been making constant (albeit slow) progress. In terms of perfect form, I'd say I can pistol down to an 11 or 12 inch box (anything below that is ugly). The problem is, they hurt my feet (where shin meets ankle and achilles). It's possible I was practicing them too much. I'm also wondering if perhaps, I should not have been doing these barefoot, maybe this is the one time I want to wear shoes? There is also a third possibility I hope to uncover after lockdown ends - once I start powerlifting again, my pain will go away?
I am well aware of the barefoot community, especially in powerlifting (building arch, splaying toes, Kabuki/Duffin, Donnie, etc.). I have gravitated towards this obviously. I do not think it was a mistake to ditch the medical establishment on this, and I have the opinion that unless you have the absolute flattest feet known to mankind, you are hurting yourself if you use cushioned shoes and/or orthotics. But I could be wrong; that's why I'm here seeking opinion not from experts, but from people with skin in the game.
I'm 38, with flat feet, and ditched my orthotics (which I've worn since a teenager) a couple years ago after getting serious into powerlifting. Since then I've walked around orthotic-less with zero problems, much to the horror of podiatrists. Then, maybe a year ago, I started squatting and deadlifting barefoot. I remember not being able to run or play basketball without orthotics when I was a teenager, now I was sprinting, wearing whatever shoes I want (or none), and doing whatever my heart desired with zero pain. I can't break down how much my feet improved due to powerlifting vs powerlifting barefoot, but both have been wonderful for my feet.
Then the lockdown happened, and after two weeks of just walking (and no lifting), my feet began to hurt. Shortly after I discovered Pavel (thanks Louie Simmons/Donnie Thompson), and here I am. I am grateful to Pavel and the community here for keeping me occupied and excited during this time.
So with the pistols, I have been making constant (albeit slow) progress. In terms of perfect form, I'd say I can pistol down to an 11 or 12 inch box (anything below that is ugly). The problem is, they hurt my feet (where shin meets ankle and achilles). It's possible I was practicing them too much. I'm also wondering if perhaps, I should not have been doing these barefoot, maybe this is the one time I want to wear shoes? There is also a third possibility I hope to uncover after lockdown ends - once I start powerlifting again, my pain will go away?
I am well aware of the barefoot community, especially in powerlifting (building arch, splaying toes, Kabuki/Duffin, Donnie, etc.). I have gravitated towards this obviously. I do not think it was a mistake to ditch the medical establishment on this, and I have the opinion that unless you have the absolute flattest feet known to mankind, you are hurting yourself if you use cushioned shoes and/or orthotics. But I could be wrong; that's why I'm here seeking opinion not from experts, but from people with skin in the game.