Mattsirpeace
Level 4 Valued Member
Hi all,
I just thought someone should start up a thread about barefoot training -- lifting, running, fighting, whatever. I don't really have a question and don't want to make this "my" thread. But I'll start with my experience and comments.
Too often discussions about cardio get tangled up with orthopedic issues.
Pavel was way ahead by writing about barefoot training in Power to the People. Martial artists know all about it, but it was new to me for lifting. I do have a copy of the Jim Fixx running book from 1977. On the cover is a pair of trim but strong legs wearing zero-drop running shoes.
Going barefoot is just one more good reason to train at home. I've pulled over 400 lbs, no problem. Kettlebells are super-helpful for me because the barbell lifts and back squats are awkward.
I do some casual mountaineering. I find that the more material you have under your feet the more likely you are to twist an ankle.
I wear 4E shoes. I don't think my feet are wide. I think they are developed.
Last year I was inspired by Easy Strength and Born to Run to try true barefoot running, no shoes. I tried incline treadmill running. I find it to actually be very gentle on the body, although it wears the skin out fast. I also did regular runs, barefoot, at the local park. It came naturally, no instruction needed. I really loved these sessions and will do them again as soon as the snow melts. I mixed in bodyweight squats and jumps, and also started mixing in light swings and zigzagging around obstacles. Lots of possibilities. Naturally this helped directly with hike/jogs in the mountains.
One nifty self-limiting option is to jog in Crocs. They fly off if you try to run. I know they're squishy. Works for me. On the downside, girls hate Crocs, just like they hate it if your wallet makes a velcro noise when you open it.
Feet are actually tripods, with a three-arch design. It just adds to my respect for the human body. The starting point should be the assumption that the body is built the way it is for a reason and not inherently flawed.
I just thought someone should start up a thread about barefoot training -- lifting, running, fighting, whatever. I don't really have a question and don't want to make this "my" thread. But I'll start with my experience and comments.
Too often discussions about cardio get tangled up with orthopedic issues.
Pavel was way ahead by writing about barefoot training in Power to the People. Martial artists know all about it, but it was new to me for lifting. I do have a copy of the Jim Fixx running book from 1977. On the cover is a pair of trim but strong legs wearing zero-drop running shoes.
Going barefoot is just one more good reason to train at home. I've pulled over 400 lbs, no problem. Kettlebells are super-helpful for me because the barbell lifts and back squats are awkward.
I do some casual mountaineering. I find that the more material you have under your feet the more likely you are to twist an ankle.
I wear 4E shoes. I don't think my feet are wide. I think they are developed.
Last year I was inspired by Easy Strength and Born to Run to try true barefoot running, no shoes. I tried incline treadmill running. I find it to actually be very gentle on the body, although it wears the skin out fast. I also did regular runs, barefoot, at the local park. It came naturally, no instruction needed. I really loved these sessions and will do them again as soon as the snow melts. I mixed in bodyweight squats and jumps, and also started mixing in light swings and zigzagging around obstacles. Lots of possibilities. Naturally this helped directly with hike/jogs in the mountains.
One nifty self-limiting option is to jog in Crocs. They fly off if you try to run. I know they're squishy. Works for me. On the downside, girls hate Crocs, just like they hate it if your wallet makes a velcro noise when you open it.
Feet are actually tripods, with a three-arch design. It just adds to my respect for the human body. The starting point should be the assumption that the body is built the way it is for a reason and not inherently flawed.