MuscleDog.com - Connecting you to a better body!

I guess it’s been shown that running barefoot can help improve balance and strengthen your feet and lower legs—but seriously, do they even compare to regular running shoes?


Here is a recent article about these creepy toe socks:

http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/health/baring-it-all-the-barefoot-running-trend-233733-
-6/

Check out this blog on muscledog!!!!!1
 
http://www.muscledog.com/blog/view/63/VIBRAM_FIVEFINGER_SHOES#

These things are so crazy. I don’t know whether to think that it’s just a gimmick, or whether this is something that we should all be doing. There hasn’t been any research done at all so it is all just theories about running mechanics and natural motions. I do have clients who swear by them but I can’t honestly say I’ve seen a difference in performance from anyone wearing these over regular training shoes.

thanks…will check out that blog—i guess the results are different for everyone!

I love these things. I have a pair and wear them whenever I run, but I’ve never lifted in them. I can’t say whether or not they are fixing my running mechanics or anything like that, but I can definitely feel more muscles in my calves and legs when I run with these compared to running in normal shoes. They have replaced all my other running shoes. They definitely take a little bit of getting used to (might have something to do with having fabric between your toes, which you don’t ever get with shoes), but I love them. I’d recommend you at least try them, for shits n’ giggles if nothing else.

Jester one of my light weight Deadlifters uses these in meets for the lift and swears they work better than any lifting shoe he has ever worn.
Butch

I know a lot of Crossfitters like to wear these too, and they certainly do plenty of squats, deadlifts and cleans. They are similar to lifting shoes like Chucks in that they have a flat sole with no cushion, but no elevating block in the sole like our athletes use.

 

If only they didnt look so funny…

No joke they are a riot to look at.

i’ll admit, the first time i saw a dude wearing these was in a 24 hour fitness. i thought it was one of the most gimmicky things i’d ever seen and i almost straight laughed at the dude.

after reading up about them, it makes sense that they could provide many benefits, especially since a lot of my training ideas have an evolutionary focus, but i would love to see some actual comparison studies that show whether or not they actually have any real anatomical or physiological impact.

I would never were them in public… they are really weird looking; I don’t care how good they work!!!  
 
The first time I saw someone wearing them in the gym I thought it was a joke or there was something seriously wrong with them…
 
Maybe I would wear them in my house on a treadmill..     Maybe!    They are just freaky looking
 
 
What about these UGLY shape up sneakers which claim to help with fat loss and muscle imbalances… WHAT A JOKE!!! I can’t believe people actually fall for this shit!  Some girl asked me if she should get them because she wanted to lose weight… WHAT!!!  Are you serious? Do you really thing it’s that easy to lose weight and get lean???
 
What are your thoughts?  
  
 

 

but, but, but… Joe Montana says they work… =(

There have been at least a couple of variations on this shoe theme.  I remember a couple of years ago one of the girls I trained bought sandals where the area under the toes and ball of the foot was higher than the heel.  They were supposed to improve posture and “tone” the legs.

The reason they are not magic is not because they dont make you do a little extra work or work in a slightly different way, hell im sure they do both.  But your body adapts to this in a couple of days, then nothing further happens.  Same thing happens to a guy who starts a construction job and is swinging a hammer every day when he is not accustomed to it.  The arm gets sore, maybe the forearm grows a little, then, nothing.  Guys who have framed houses for 20 years dont have arms that are any bigger or stronger than guys who have done it for a couple of months.

The magic of weight training is that it is PROGRESSIVE.  When you have adapted to a certain amount of load, then you increase the load and adapt again, then again, etc.

And that is why just doing your squats is better than walking around with attrocious looking footwear.  And yes, those “shape-ups” are atrocious and embarrassing.

but, but… Joe Montana wears them… =(

amen they’re freakin ugly. they rank right up there with the shake-weight on the stupidometer

 
 
HAHA!! what a shame.. I think he just ruined his reputation

These are the dumbest thing anyone could buy!



Why?


Im going to invent a shoe for your hand!

 

How are you coming with the hand-shoe?

Five-fingered shoes are a little bit strange, no doubt….  However, barefoot is a better alternative to running in cheap running shoes and the five-fingers do provide the simulation of running barefoot without having to worry about picking up crazy germs or whatever on the road.  I personally use Nike Waffle racers and those work pretty well.

  
 
Those shoes are ridiculous.  Sketchers executives, engineers, designers, and marketers that wasted precious materials that could have been used to make something more useful should be shot.

xfitrob.. lol maybe not shot but definitely fired!!! It’s a shame people actually bye these sneakers and think they will magically lose 5 lbs…
 
I guess sketchers did amazing job marketing and targeting the right naive lazy audience… they are UGLY!!! They make over weight people look even worse then they do!!
 

HAHA these stupid boat looking shoes are getting sued!!
 
The law suit is retarded but at least someone is acknowledging that they SUCK!
 
 
http://www.muscledog.com/blog/view/408/SHAPEUPS_LAWSUIT#&r=2

These could be the ugliest shoes ever created.

Hahah… i know!! I HATE them… i think they are totally looney!!
 
I see people sporting them all the time… NOT very fashionable! Just saying
 

The five finger shoes are the worst shoes you can buy.  The reason why is there is no heele support for weight training and running, running with these shoes is very bad on your heels and ankles.  when Coach and I go to weightlifting seminars to coach, there are always a hand full of weightlifters or I should say ostly crossfiters wearing these weird shoes and they cant balance the weight over head, they cant catch the bar in the right position becuase of the lack of heele raise and support.  Without a raised heele and support you will fall backwards!  any athete tarining with these shoes is always going to be off balanced, so whats the point???   It’s like a football player training with these shoes, why? becuase when they put there cleets on it will be a whole different feel, every little cut and move they make will be different?  Another thing I dont get about these shoes is whats the point of wearing these when they can just go bear foot????

good point! here is an article on muscledog about proper weight lifting shoes
 
http://www.muscledog.com/article/view/173/TOOLS_OF_THE_TRADE_LIFTING_SHOES#

dont you think these shoes are bad for any kind of sport or excercise traing?  I think everybody knows they are bad for olympic weightlifting, but what about everything else!  what are these shoes made for, anyhting specifice???

I know many people say you should squat bare foot??
 
I guess you have to use more stabilizer muscles, core balance and natural movement…
 
I guess for pure performance it would not be ideal
 
 

I agre with you, so why wear them?  it must be a comfort thing.  Arnold did always workout bare foot, so maybe these shoes are great!