Minimalist Shoes and "Barefoot" Running/Working Out

[two fingers]

If it stiffens your spaghetti... Just seems to me that the protection is minimal, and if you want to go into a restaurant, just slip on something, pocket the $60, and avoid the athlete's foot.

Again, I'm not arguing with you. I seriously have no idea if these thing are "helpful". They do spark my curiosity though.

 

[Groove Doctor]

Excellent advice so far.

I asked a top podiatrist his opinion on these 10 yrs ago when they first became mainstream. He said "It's things like these that keep you and me in business".

Best advice he could give was "Supportive enough to prevent foot problems from ruining your shoes/back/etc, not so firm it creates new problems".

I have a pair just like the Merrells, and they will change the way you move, walk and run.
It seems to me that not enough people address the amount of time it will take your feet to adjust to minimal shoes after a lifetime of padded, supported 'stomping around'. Yes, one does become more aware of where one places their feet!

At first, wearing these seemed to slow me down, but I realized that it was the perfect opportunity to learn about and to practice walking and running in a way that your foot was designed.
I like that.

You need to be intentional with them, and patient. May take months before you can wear them for everyday use.

I wore these shoes almost exclusively a few years ago. They feel great walking outside, and even on gravel and semi rocky terrain. The problem is there is just no way to make them comfortable walking around on concrete/pavement/tile. Any man made hard surface benefits from regular shoes with padding.

Again, might not suit everyday use.

I think the key is each person's physiology is different. Arch type, pronation/supination, body weight, and many other factors will determine what type of foot covering works best.

Most of my patients that bought and tried these have stopped wearing them, even though they loved them once upon a time. Reviews are mostly written in the honeymoon phase.

Amazing results are the exception, not the rule.

 

[DrPieZon]

One of the terms thrown about in my reading has been "zero drop". What it means is that the balls of your feet and your heels should be at the same level. There is no good reason for your foot to he tilted forward (according to enthusiasts for minimalist shoes). So, apparently, even if you insist on squishy shoes, they should be "level".

(Again, I'm picking up all of this recently and don't know if these theories hold water.)

Yes heel drop is a thing. Think of it like wearing high-heels or not. It changes your posture and your stride/how your foot lands. For walking and standing minimal drop is probably a good thing. But if you're a runner who is mainly a heel striker then having some more padding in that area is a good thing, or if you have very tight calves you may find 0 drop may cause strain/pulls in that area. Like everything, it's about the right tool for the job and your bodies specific needs.

 

[Groove Doctor]

PS. Get off the computer, stop reading about exercise and just do it.

 

[two fingers]

PS. Get off the computer, stop reading about exercise and just do it.

I am. I'm working out 6 days a week rotating areas of my body so as not to overdo it on any part. I'm eating great. I've lost 12 pounds in total, but likely more than that in fat because I've gained a little muscle. My blood pressure (the original reason for starting this new lifestyle) is easily in the acceptable range with zero drugs.

I'm not "waiting while I research".

But good advice anyway.

 

[two fingers]

Yes heel drop is a thing. Think of it like wearing high-heels or not. It changes your posture and your stride/how your foot lands. For walking and standing minimal drop is probably a good thing. But if you're a runner who is mainly a heel striker then having some more padding in that area is a good thing, or if you have very tight calves you may find 0 drop may cause strain/pulls in that area. Like everything, it's about the right tool for the job and your bodies specific needs.

That's what I've read. If you literally are unable to run on the balls of your feet, these aren't for you. They'll kill you if you are heel digger. If you are accustomed to running on your heels, but are able to make the transition, you are supposed to give the muscles in your legs and feet time to catch up by doing it over several weeks.

 

[Groove Doctor]

Congrats on your progress so far. Which exercises do you enjoy doing the most?

That's what I've read. If you literally are unable to run on the balls of your feet, these aren't for you. They'll kill you if you are heel digger. If you are accustomed to running on your heels, but are able to make the transition, you are supposed to give the muscles in your legs and feet time to catch up by doing it over several weeks.

Some people will never adapt. A lifetime of wearing shoes with raised heels may never be erased. Short sessions are best, gradually increasing over time etc.

The hardest part is deciphering between "Is my body adapting?", "Have I simply overdone it?" and "Is my body yelling STOP?".

 

[two fingers]

Congrats on your progress so far. Which exercises do you enjoy doing the most?


Some people will never adapt. A lifetime of wearing shoes with raised heels may never be erased. Short sessions are best, gradually increasing over time etc.

The hardest part is deciphering between "Is my body adapting?", "Have I simply overdone it?" and "Is my body yelling STOP?".

Right now I'm following the advice of the people behind the towel counter at the gym. Well, they all have exercise physiology degrees and are super helpful too.

I have an appointment to get myself on a trackable exercise plan on November 7th.

But, until then, I'm doing upper body and back/core one day and lower body/ other core another, etc. For now I'm using machines because 1) they won't let me cheat on form and 2) they won't let me cheat on motion.

Honestly, I'm enjoying legs more than upper body right now. Leg curls and presses are my favorites. I usually finish every press with a calf press too.

 

[Alkali Ike]

 

[CallMeAl]

I tried the five fingers, couldn't stand em. It was the feeling around the toes more than anything. I had a pair of Merrel minimalist shoes, but never did any serious exercise in them, I just used them as light summer shoes. I liked them a lot. I did feel that I paid more attention to how I was stepping.

Everything I've read on this suggests building up strength with little bits of barefoot/minimalist running at a time. Going all in causes injury.

If you haven't stumbled upon it yet, I suggest looking into Chi Running. It approaches this from a biomechanics point of view. Injury prevention, natural movement, strengthening from the feet up, etc. they recommend cushioned shoes for structured exercise, but also spending some time with barefoot movement practice.

 

[Pilgrim]

I am convinced that if you don't wear shoes that provide good support, you will eventually have major foot problems.

That rules out flip-flops, "barefoot" shoes and anything else without insoles and support.

 

[Groove Doctor]

Chi Running....approaches this from a biomechanics point of view. Injury prevention, natural movement, strengthening from the feet up, etc.

I was taught this approach from the trainer of an ultra marathon runner. Very efficient method.

 

[petrus61]

Please don't get the toesie shoes...they're horrible. The most expensive anything Merril (assuming it's low-cut and it feels good on your feet), has been the shizzle in my book for years. Also look into Asic and New Balance.

 

[two fingers]

Please don't get the toesie shoes...they're horrible. The most expensive anything Merril (assuming it's low-cut and it feels good on your feet), has been the shizzle in my book for years. Also look into Asic and New Balance.

Horrible to look at? Or you tried them and hated them?

Oh, and, pretty much all of my shoes are Merrill or Keen.

 

[petrus61]

Do you have any actual shoe stores near you, two'fer? I mean the mom & pop type, not the Foot Locker, etc. A long standing shoe store that gives a poopie and a consult with your physician/sharopodist (as my granny called them) is your best bet for guidance. Shoes are as personal as strings!

 

[Groove Doctor]

Interesting article comparing techniques. I definitely prefer pose method for hill climbs and faster running.

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[two fingers]

Do you have any actual shoe stores near you, two'fer? I mean the mom & pop type, not the Foot Locker, etc. A long standing shoe store that gives a poopie and a consult with your physician/sharopodist (as my granny called them) is your best bet for guidance. Shoes are as personal as strings!

There are a couple.

And, honestly, I haven't done much running since high school (the 80s). This blood pressure thing (and wanting to manage it without drugs) has me curious about all kinds of diet and exercise options. That's what lead me down this twisty path.

I'm trying to keep an open mind about all of it. I'm not saying these kinds of shoes are a solution for me. But their fans are a vocal bunch. There are tons of testimonials on all kinds of sites (even ones that don't sell shoes) where people who had run for years started feeling pain in their legs and back. Doctors sold them on more and more expensive (and more squishy) shoes. Once they discovered "barefoot" running, their pain went away completely. Many run 10+ miles a day in minimalist or no shoes at all. Major shoe companies (like Merrill, Vibram, Rockport, Nike, etc.) are offering minimalist shoe of all kinds these days.

I'm also listening to the audiobook "Born To Run". It's a pretty sick adventure (true) story about a foot race pitting US running rock stars against an indigenous tribe down in Mexico running through the Copper Canyons for 50 miles. One guy did it completely barefoot. The tribesmen did it wearing thin leather soles held on by straps (essentially sandals). I haven't gotten to the end yet. But it's a great read that delves a little into science, the history of running shoes, and the debate surrounding barefoot running, all the while telling a great story (so far).

Again, I have no idea if I'll even incorporate much running into my training. But this is a very interesting topic to me.

Here's a short video showing some science....stuff..... regarding the differences in running in shoes and running barefoot. It's not a "pro barefoot" video and draws few (if any) conclusions.





Short version: It seems that really expensive, and "supportive" shoes (of which I own a dozen pairs.... Merrill, Keen, Saucony, etc.), may not be the only option for humans to get around without injury. I haven't ordered a pair of Five Fingers yet. But I might.

We walked and ran without shoes for approximately 1,800,000 years before we put on shoes. We also hunted animals by running them down before projectile weapons (roughly the same time period). So our bodies are designed to do incredible things that we don't do anymore.

 

[Pilgrim]

There are people everywhere selling snake oil. There are millions more people wearing good running shoes than the other stuff. I would guess that some people can run in the weird stuff without harming their feet, but you won't know until you're over 50.

 

[two fingers]

There are people everywhere selling snake oil. There are millions more people wearing good running shoes than the other stuff. I would guess that some people can run in the weird stuff without harming their feet, but you won't know until you're over 50.

We know 1,000 times more about nutrition and medicine than we did 100 years ago. But heart disease and obesity are killing thousands amd thousands more every year.

Just because most people are doing something, that doesn't mean they're all right. Using your logic, Stanley Clark played bass wrong.

Never mind that most of the barefoot running crowd is selling nothing. They are actually trying to talk out OUT of buying snake oil. They are LITERALLY selling you on "nothing". Wear nothing. If you must wear something, wear as little as possible. Make your own running sandals. Stuff like that.

Again, I don't know if I'm a convert. (Heck, I don't even k ow if I'm going to get into running.) But I really can't pin this one on a crowd trying to make a buck.

 

[Pilgrim]

Never mind that most of the barefoot running crowd is selling nothing. They are actually trying to talk out OUT of buying snake oil. They are LITERALLY selling you on "nothing". Wear nothing. If you must wear something, wear as little as possible. Make your own running sandals. Stuff like that.

Again, I don't know if I'm a convert. (Heck, I don't even k ow if I'm going to get into running.) But I really can't pin this one on a crowd trying to make a buck.

OK, I hear you. My viewpoint is possibly skewed by the fact that I have never liked going barefoot since I was old enough to know what it was. On a practical basis, there are too many bumps, rocks, nails, pavement cracks and other hazards out there to make running barefoot, or with minimal foot covering, seem like a sane idea to me. And for that matter, every time I have ever walked on a hard surface without shoes, it was uncomfortable.

As I near 70, I am also aware of the increasing problems that my feet have. It is a true statement that feet do not get better with age. I believe the harder you treat them as you age, the more likely you are to have problems later in life.