Barefoot Running?

T

texasrocker

0
Anyone into this new craze? I've never tried to run with anything other than the standard "running" shoe. But... I just picked up the new Men's Health and it had an article on the benefits of physical activity while wearing this style of shoe. I was just wondering whether or not anyone had a pair and enjoyed this style of running better (as compared to with regular shoes).

These are the examples of shoes Men's Health was promoting:

--- Terra Plana Evo
--- Nike Free 5.0
--- Vibram Fivefingers Bikila
--- Mizuno Wave Ronin 2


I'm going to post a thread like this in the 'Bodybuilding' section of the forum as well to get the lifters opinion on foot-to-earth shoes. I hear flatter shoes like Vans can help with stability in weight lifting as well. <- ISO your opinions (if you have any) on the weight lifting part as well.
 
i haven't tried it myself but i was also reading an article in tri plus. I personally don't buy into it but there is some evidence that is positive about the barefoot running.
 
In bodybuild it makes sense, especially in exercises like the squat where you wouldn't want to use that power to compress a shoe's sole, you want all the power transferred from your heel up through the floor and your legs.
I've heard a lot of good things about barefoot running, and the Vibram five finger shoes, but not if you're going to be running on asphalt. Sure our ancestors ran barefoot, but i don't remember any paved roads in prehistoric times.
 
FitFreak said:
In bodybuild it makes sense, especially in exercises like the squat where you wouldn't want to use that power to compress a shoe's sole, you want all the power transferred from your heel up through the floor and your legs.
I've heard a lot of good things about barefoot running, and the Vibram five finger shoes, but not if you're going to be running on asphalt. Sure our ancestors ran barefoot, but i don't remember any paved roads in prehistoric times.
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I like the input. However, I'm thinking that asphalt/concrete isn't as terrible as you make it out to be. Yeah, our ancestors didn't have paved roads everywhere, but there were hard surfaces scattered around the globe that had to be trekked. I read somewhere that it didn't matter the surface because the nerve endings in our feet automatically adjust. Either way, I'm hoping to find out more because of my sparked interest.
 
I read an article in the latest issue of Runners World on barefoot running- there used to be a guy at the gym I was at last year who wore the Vibram shoes- looked really odd on the treadmill and he was a petite guy too- but he looked so full of energy- I want a pair but would be too worried about running outside in them, especially in cities where glass and bits of metal are always on the pavement, in the grass or roads. Too risky!

Also, am not sure about the concrete thing. Yes we all originate from humans who did not have trainers to run in, but these people also did not have concrete surfaces to run on and had a whole different lifestyle, no doubt were slimmer and had muscles in areas we probably have evolved to never have muscles on again! We also have softer feet- agreeably they would harden up over a few months of training but it would mean taking a back step in terms of fitness as you can only do a little barefoot running at a time and have to build yourself up from scratch.

Having said that though, I used to wear the Nike Free 5.0 when I first started going to the gym, I never had any foot or leg or back pain and I have since been shown I over pronate very badly. But then again back then I'd run for maybe 1 min on the treadmill at 7.5km/h then walk alot. Now I walk at 7km/h on a gradient of 10 and then run at 12km/h for anything up to an hour (or however long it takes me to get bored) so there is a difference. I do miss the flexibility though- freedom to move and bend your foot is just not something Asics offer!
 
I found this website out, seems pretty interesting. I'm still researching this, and even stepped out of my shoes for my cool down period after today's run.

Also, I took up reading Born to Run. I'll be finding more information to put in the thread as soon as I get more research done.
 
I was against this at first but immediately after going to the site I saw pictures of people barefoot running in fields and soft surfaces.

I am with this 100%

On hard surfaces though, that is a no no.

No mammal or human being ever does this and there is a good and many reasons for it.

A few of them are hernias and unnecessary impact to the spine. The spine is the most important nerve in the body and it is the conduit for all action in the body. Why would you put this system through pain when you don't have to? To run faster? Nonsense, you can do that with a pair of running shoes. Why dismiss the tool when it is there?

I ought to try this eventually, my Dad has a huge yard.

I can see barefoot running activate a good deal more of stabilizers that don't get worked when running in shoes.
 
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Eric L said:
I was against this at first but immediately after going to the site I saw pictures of people barefoot running in fields and soft surfaces.

I am with this 100%

On hard surfaces though, that is a no no.

No mammal or human being ever does this and there is a good and many reasons for it.

A few of them are hernias and unnecessary impact to the spine. The spine is the most important nerve in the body and it is the conduit for all action in the body. Why would you put this system through pain when you don't have to? To run faster? Nonsense, you can do that with a pair of running shoes. Why dismiss the tool when it is there?

I ought to try this eventually, my Dad has a huge yard.

I can see barefoot running activate a good deal more of stabilizers that don't get worked when running in shoes.
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Makes me wonder how long it will be 'till gyms bring in sports halls with properly sprung and softened floor so its safe to run? would be fab! Where I live there is grass, but there are also trees, twigs and dogs, a friend of mine came back home the other day with glass which had torn through her trainer! Shocking as the thing was so massive, I was like "how did you not see that"- apparently she was running in tall grass.

All of those add to the list of No nos I have but I'd love to try, there just needs to be safe spaces to do so in.
 
I ran on gravel in my KSO's today. In short bursts. My feet aren't 100% yet.

Pretty awesome.
 
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