– Why do we train barefoot?
This question has come up in all my groups so far.
It is a fair question because entering any modern gym we meet the following sign:
„Please, change your shoe!”
On the other hand, the first thing I say when someone signs up for training is to only bring a towel and water.
– No shoes?
– No shoes!
For me, who started doing karate when I was seven years old – barefoot – then I swam for years – barefoot 🙂 – and later I got familiar with kettlebell training – also barefoot – there is nothing strange here.
However, I must admit that I belong to the minority with this attitude, so here are some arguments in favor of training barefoot, or from another point of view – against the use of shoes:
1. Increases the stability of your foot: since the shoe does not keep your heel stable, and the insole does not support your arch, the muscles and ligaments of the foot and sole have to do this job. Strong, active foot muscles are essential for a healthy arch. Unfortunately, shoes and insoles do not serve us well, but barefoot training and foot exercises do.
2. Increases the mobility of your ankle: a strong, stable foot serve as a base for a mobile ankle, not to mention that if the shoe does not raise your heel, you must flex your ankle. The better mobility of the ankle makes all movements – where our feet are in contact with the ground – better, healthier, safer and more efficient.
3. Improves proprioception, which is the ability to perceive the position and movement of your own body. After the palms, the most nerve endings are located on the soles. Being barefoot means that we are in direct contact with the ground, so our body and nervous system is constantly being stimulated through the soles.
4. It helps to avoid foot and toe deformities caused by shoes. Unfortunately, most shoe manufacturers prioritize fashion instead of the anatomy of the foot when they design a shoe and they expect our feet to adapt to the shape of the shoe, even though the healthy way would be the opposite. Unfortunately, out feet will adapt over time.
The purpose of the shoe should not be to keep the foot and heel stable, should not be the support of the arch or to lift the heel, nor should it be to cushion the impact.
The purpose of the shoe is to protect the feet from extreme weather conditions or the potential injuries caused by the ground. There is no need for this in the gym, so neither are the shoes. 😊
Our feet are the foundation of the whole body. If there is something wrong down there, sooner or later there will be a problem above as well. Overall, it can be stated that the more you move barefoot, the more likely you are to avoid foot, ankle, knee, hip and spine problems and the more likely you are to maintain or restore a correct, healthy posture.
Plus, without shoes your feet won’t smell. That bad.
