workout while barefoot:: looking for feedback

momuv4

New Member
I have evolved into doing my workouts at home while barefoot. I used to designate an "indoor" pair of shoes for cardio videos and weight training and for some reason have gone "commando" with my feet! What do you think- is this BAD or ok?


live love laugh
 
My feet need the shoe support during cardio and in fact they prefer if I wear sneaks all day. During wts, I would imagine it is safer to have shoes on in case you drop something, might give you more stability, but I don't know. I guess your body will tell you if it doesn't like it!
 
I love to be barefoot. Unless I do cardio on some machine I don't wear shoes. I try to not drop anything on my foot! When doing iballets I could not possible imagine wearing shoes at all.
 
I've never tried doing cardio barefoot, but I normally do all of my upper body workouts barefoot.

It started one night when I really didn't want to workout at all. I didn't even have the energy to put on socks and sneakers and PUB was on my rotation so I just did it barefoot. It was a great feeling. Still is.

Hey, if it works for you and feels good, go for it!:D
 
I couldn't do it. It would kill my feet to do any kind of cardio barefoot. I would also feel too vulnerable when weight lifting.

I actually do NO work out barefoot but yoga. I don't feel "right" with out my socks and sneaks on. It's like I'm not complete and ready to "bring it" unless I have the proper shoe on my foot.

I guess weight lifting is no big deal but isn't doing cardio barefoot not such a great idea? I would think there is a ton of opportunity for injury with out that support.
 
I think it depends on the workout. I used to do the original Firm vol. one barefoot, but then I was on a very thick rug.
 
I usually do my strength training barefoot at home on the carpet. However, my feet absolutely can't handle the lunge positions without sneakers. If I don't wear them, I get a lot of arthritis pain in my toes the next day. As soon as the lunges are over, I take the shoes off because I don't like having them on.
 
Barefoot? No way. There was a time when I tried it for low impact cardio but decided against it. Even with low impact, there's too much torque and odd pressure on my feet. And with high impact, I think it's just too dangerous - you risk bruised feet and possibly stress fractures because the foot can't absorb the shock.

I feel the same way about weights - whether it's upper body or lower body, you're carrying a lot more weight than your body is used to. The shoes help to absorb the different weight load.

Even if it feels okay now, you might want to think about the future. Good shoes absorb shock and reduce stress on the feet and joints. That means your body will last longer!
 
Oh my I would be crippled! I have had PF and it still bothers me at times. It would seem that you would be more prone to injury barefoot.
LD
 
Yeah I'm thinking this might not be a great idea. It might feel good while you're doing it but the long term effects on your joints could be pretty serious.

The only workouts I do barefoot are core. Of course with pilates you're supposed to, & with other ab workouts like Core Max & Ab Ripper X it's easier without the weight of the sneakers.......;)
 
There's a whole barefoot movement - people who advocate running barefoot, and pretty much being barefoot all the time. They say that the human foot is designed to work best without shoes. Don't know if that's true all the time, but there is a little bit of truth to it. A lot of runners, for example, are heel-strikers - which most running experts agree is not the most ideal or efficient type of stride. But the reason so many runners are heel-strikers is because running shoes have nice, cushy heels. When runners take their shoes off and run barefoot (on a soft surface!), they immediately go to a forefoot or midfoot strike, which is more efficient and easier on the joints. You can't strike with your heels while barefoot because, well, it HURTS!

Anyway, the point of that long rambling is that going barefoot for some things probably isn't so bad. I would not really recommend going barefoot for high impact cardio. But otherwise, as long as you don't experience any pain or discomfort, I don't see any reason why you couldn't go without shoes. :)
 
>Yeowoser, my feet would howl! Hope it doesn't end up costing
>you as you age. Deb

My thoughts exactly! I have Plantar Fasciitis and it would be incredibly painful to work out without shoes. I urge you to NOT work out barefoot. Once you develope PF, it's a painful journey back. Working out without shoes will make you more prone to foot injury.... trust me!!!! :(
 
I definitely wouldn't do impact work barefoot.
And if you pronate or suppinate at all, barefoot isn't a good idea.
I would do yoga, some no-impact martial arts, barre work and stretching barefoot, but nothing else.

But I'm someone who jams my toes againts dumbbells, or steps on used (for testing baked goods) toothpicks, or slams the top of my foot against my lap top when I'm trying to walk over it and don't have my glasses on....guess you call that 'klutzy'!
 

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