Squatting barefoot

[NGC_604]

I workout in my basement, so I'm not concerned with getting foot aids or anything. I'm flat footed so naturally feel more comfortable with no shoes on. I was curious about squatting barefooted though. I can't seem to find a definite answer on the topic, and I trust some of you here more than I do at other forums. Should I get a pair of lifting shoes, or is barefoot fine?

I've read at a few places that lifting shoes are more stable. But I'm not sure if they mean stable compared to generic Nikes or stable compared to no shoes.

 

[StageLeft]

The only reason to use shoes at your own house for weights is if you're concerned about getting your feet dirty. Bare feet are the best way to do it, absolutely. If lifting shoes are more stable it's because they are allowing weaknessnesses in your ankles or other stabilizing muscles to go unchecked.

I suppose your goals are worth asking. If you only want a monster squat, perhaps you could get a bit better of one with shoes, but from a strengthening perspective I think they are inferior. BTW, the barefoot kind of approach is receiving more attention among runners, training barefoot to try and tweak form and strength.

 

[brikis98]

Squat shoes have the following advantage over sneakers:

1. Better transfer of power to the ground. Any lift where you push against the ground with your feet (squat, deadlift, power clean, etc) will be more efficient with a hard soled shoe as none of your energy goes into squishing the shoe itself.
2. More stability. Lifting in squishy running shoes is similar to trying to do push-ups on a mattress. Not only do you have less power, but the squishiness can also unbalance you. Moreover, squat shoes often have extra straps to hold your foot tighter than a normal sneaker.
3. Easier to go deeper on a squat. Most lifting shoes have a raised heel which helps people with tight ankles/calves get below parallel.

#1 and #2 do not apply to bare feet - in fact, bare feet are probably superior in each of those cases. However, #3 can be important if flexibility is an issue for you. If you can squat to full depth with no issues barefoot, then by all means do it. If not, work on your flexibility. If you've already done that and still need a little extra help, squat shoes might be a good idea.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

I squat in Vibram Fivefingers - they're pretty much toe shoes if you haven't heard of them. Therefore, I essentially squat barefoot. My form improved drastically after I took the sneakers out of the equation. You have a stable base and, like brikis said, if you're flexible enough for your weight to stay on your heels and you can drive from there, then that's the optimal way to squat.

 

[StageLeft]

I really do hate doing legs in running sneakers. I have some lightweight trainers I normally use at the gym now and they are running shoes but much thinner and I feel much better in them.

I squat in Vibram Fivefingers

At the gym? Do people laugh? I kind of want a pair but they just look too silly! Barefoot Ted has some other shoes he's been trying out that are more normal-looking...

 

[Lamont Burns]

I plan on buying Chuck Taylors low cut all black. Kinda blends and looks semi normal. I think I saw some for 40 bucks the other day online. I use sneakers now, and it sucks.

 

[brikis98]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

I squat in Vibram Fivefingers

At the gym? Do people laugh?

I often wear VFF's at the gym as well. I get a decent number of looks and I suppose some people laugh, but I've also had a lot of people ask me excitedly about them, wondering where I got them, what the advantages are of wearing them, etc. At any rate, I long ago stopped caring about what others are thinking while I work out.

 

[NGC_604]

Flexibility is an issue, although I'm working on improving it. I'll probably stick with barefooted for now and see how my flexibility progresses. Thanks for the help.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Originally posted by: brikis98

Originally posted by: Skoorb

I squat in Vibram Fivefingers

At the gym? Do people laugh?

I often wear VFF's at the gym as well. I get a decent number of looks and I suppose some people laugh, but I've also had a lot of people ask me excitedly about them, wondering where I got them, what the advantages are of wearing them, etc. At any rate, I long ago stopped caring about what others are thinking while I work out.

Few people laugh while I squat 5x300 in them Really though, I can relate a lot with brikis said. A lot of people are just curious about 'em. I get asked about once every two weeks if they're safe, what they do, don't they hurt you, etc.

 

[NGC_604]

I was just going to say that. No one is going to care what you're wearing when you're lifting 2x what most of the others are doing.

 

[HN]

Originally posted by: Lamont Burns
I plan on buying Chuck Taylors low cut all black. Kinda blends and looks semi normal. I think I saw some for 40 bucks the other day online. I use sneakers now, and it sucks.

check converse.com sale section. some as low as 19.99 (add in ~$6 shipping)

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: SociallyChallenged

Originally posted by: brikis98

Originally posted by: Skoorb

I squat in Vibram Fivefingers

At the gym? Do people laugh?

I often wear VFF's at the gym as well. I get a decent number of looks and I suppose some people laugh, but I've also had a lot of people ask me excitedly about them, wondering where I got them, what the advantages are of wearing them, etc. At any rate, I long ago stopped caring about what others are thinking while I work out.

Few people laugh while I squat 5x300 in them Really though, I can relate a lot with brikis said. A lot of people are just curious about 'em. I get asked about once every two weeks if they're safe, what they do, don't they hurt you, etc.

You should invest in the company and then tell people they put 100 lbs on your squat instantly

 

[katank]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
You should invest in the company and then tell people they put 100 lbs on your squat instantly

Now surely you mean the shoes will put 20lbs on their bicep curls instantly

I jest but barefoot is pretty nice. I usually lift in flat, hard soled shoes but still felt the ground better when I went to barefoot.

 

[KoolDrew]

I squat and deadlift barefoot all the time.