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The Best Type of Shoes For My Workouts
Blog | February 06, 2015
I’m often asked what are the best shoes for my workouts. I’m a firm believer in minimalist training shoes. They provide the necessary support for my workouts without being bulky or cumbersome. While not having the proper footwear is not the end of the world nor should it stop you from working out, it can definitely help. Here’s why:
Stability
Minimalist shoes provide the most stability among athletic footwear. Stability is crucial for the rapid pace of my HIIT routines. Minimalist shoes have very neutral, flat soles that are not hindered by excessive cushioning. In fact, many minimalist shoes have no cushioning at all and simply conform to the natural contours of your feet.
Often standard athletic footwear – think standard running shoes, cross-trainers, hi-tops, etc. – have so much padding in the soles that they offer very little stability especially for movements that require pivoting and directional changes. Sure they may be comfortable for walking and running errands (one could even make the argument that certain running shoes geared toward long-distance runners need the extra support), but it’s not necessary for my workouts and can actually be a hindrance.
Even my old shoes from Diesel with flat soles are better for my workouts than any fancy padded sneakers.
Heel Drive
I can’t emphasize enough the importance of proper heel drive when performing squats – a cornerstone exercise of the Zgym. When shoes are burdened with a lot of padding in the soles it’s difficult to sit back on our heels and drive up. The padding of typical athletic shoes can get in the way and not allow us to properly execute the movement. Our feet end up floating on all that cushioning. One way to think about it is imagine performing squats on a pair of pillows – sure it may be comfortable, but it’s definitely not optimal for executing the movement with proper form. Minimalist shoes allow us to firmly plant our heels when squatting due their flat, neutral soles.
Staying on Your Toes
Minimalist training shoes are not only better for proper heel placement, they also keep us on our toes when jumping rope, sprinting, running, etc. Again it’s the flat, neutral sole that allows our feet to function in a more natural manner. Unlike squats, these movements require that we stay on the front of our feet not our heels. Try running with bare feet for a moment. Notice how you naturally stay on your toes? Kind of like when we were kids and would run around the house? This is a more natural movement and much better for your posture and overall body alignment. Shoes with excessive padding get in the way of our natural movement patterns. Often they encourage bad form such as an unnatural heel strike when running or jumping rope.
What kind of shoe are you wearing at the Zgym? Tell me about them!
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Private Member |
I do all workouts barefoot at home. Works great!
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nj
me too!
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Me three ;-)….
Private Member |
Lol as do I 🙂
Private Member |
I also do my workouts barefot, but I do my warm up with anti-sliding socks because I tend to get cold feet in the morning. ;P
When I’m not at home or do different other kinds of sports I wear minimalist shoes with very felxible soles which adapt to the feet’s movement.
Private Member |
switzerland/, france
me too, barefoot (except when jump rope) or antisliding socks (yoga socks with splitted toes and kinda rubber at the sole). Sometimes I use my fivefingers…but my recent craving is to buy TopoAthletic shoes…difficult to find shipment oversea.
Private Member |
Me too!
Private Member |
Same!
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Me too. Always barefoot. Feels great!
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la valette-du-var, france
Same here 😀 except when I’m using the JR because it catches my toe and it hurts really bad !
Private Member |
Haha! YES!!!
Private Member |
I do it the same way ☺ Work out barefoot is a nice training for all the little feet muscles and stability as well.
Private Member |
I also have been doing all of workouts barefoot for several years now, it has really helped my feet and knees, I was nervous at first, so I started out with Kettlebells.
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ellijay, ga, united states
I got into the habit of training barefoot as a Martial Artist…and have carried it over into these workouts! I find it more comfortable. 🙂
Private Member |
Same here!
Private Member |
I’m a barefoot gal, too!!
Private Member |
I honestly wish I could train while barefoot. I can only do kettlebell training barefooted. All other training needs shoes because I am severely flat-footed.
Private Member |
Dee, my 10 year old daughter is sevely flat footed as well and wears shoes made especially for her from the hospital as no shoes from retailers fit her – has your flat feet been a hindrance growing up? My daughter can’t squat down properly and gets heel pain especially after running. Shes at hjgh school in Sept so just thought id get a bit of knowledge from you if that’s ok.
Many thanks
Private Member |
Nike Trainer FIT 4s or Barefoot! Spotted your new grey ones in the pic?
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ky, usa
I workout in my running shoes, which are Asics. I find them comfortable and supportive. I’d like to just go barefoot but am afraid of injury. What are your thoughts on barefoot? I’ve seen you barefoot in a few kettlebell workouts.
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lakewood, ohio, united states
Hey Rachel! I too am a huge Asics fan, and stick to a minimalist style of the brand. It helps me with my knees/ankles to have shoes on but i’ve definitely also done some workouts barefoot that involved a lot of jumping/intense intervals, and have been alright. You really have to find what works for your joints, but i’ve found a little bit of both has never hurt me. As far as KB training, it’s actually a great idea to do barefoot as it allows you to get the firmest grounding possible through your feet and heels. As Zuz mentioned, you don’t want your heel floating on clouds when your doing KB swings 🙂 I think it allows for better motion transfer and really allows you to propel yourself firmly when you’re barefoot.
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ky, usa
Thanks Mariam! I think I’ll try my next KB workout barefoot.KB workouts are my favorite!! 🙂
Private Member |
After many years of trying different brands, I’m sticking to Asics too! Only recently did I convert to a minimal shoe. I feel like there’s too much strain on my bad knees if I don’t have cushioning. I now get the Asics training style shoes (Synthesis, at the moment). I like how they are much lighter and still feel like I’m being protected when I jump.
Private Member |
toronto, canada
I use a few different ones, I have two pairs of reebok nano, Two pairs of new balance minimus and a pair of Asics. I really like your new grey ones, those are the ones I use in Zgym, I have done a few kettlebell workouts barefoot as well… Just afraid I will drop the weight on my foot… Lol,,, your old pink diesels are super cute;)
Private Member |
Mostly, I’m barefoot, but for jump rope I use a a minimalist shoe by Merrell. They’re the most comfortable shoe I own.
Private Member |
Lol I love I am not the only one who goes barefoot! 🙂
Private Member |
Not I. I can’t do barefoot, unless it’s a Kettlebell workout with no jumping or something like that. I have bad knees, and it just doesn’t feel good without shoes.
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Zuzka how many shoes do you own! 😀
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lake tahoe, nv, usa
Too many! I keep even those that I don’t wear 🙁 otherwise I don’t like to keep any old junk at home, but clothes and especially shoes is hard for me to give up..
Private Member |
birmingham, al, usa
Thank you for this information! Very helpful!