Working out bare foot v sneakers?
Sometimes I work out bare foot (I don't mean for yoga or pilates...I mean cardio, strenghth, intervals/circuit)and sometimes w/ sneakers. When I ride my stationary bike I always have sneaks on because of the little pointy things on pedals would hurt my feet.
But I run, jump, step, lift (all in my house) etc. When I used to take kickboxing my instructor(s) would always be barefoot (they were also karate intrustors too). So I wonder if I'm doing damage not wearing shoes or if it donesn't matter if it's not bothering my feet or body?
I'm not sure if it is good for you or not, but I work out barefoot. I seem to have more balance, and I feel like I get more out of it when I don't wear my shoes. When I use my elipical, but that is more because the things that are supposed to help with traction hurt my feet.
As long as it's not bothering you it's fine. Your feet were designed to work that way. We only "need" shoes (and I use the work need loosely) to protect your feet from the environment.
In fact there is a whole thread on here about the Vibram shoes which are like gloves for your feet.
I do most of my at-home workouts barefoot even if Mark Rippetoe is on my case for doing squats and deadlifts in bare feet ;)
I do my jogging in place barefoot or with socks on. I tend to trip over myself even when in place with sneakers on. lol.
I tend to workout mostly barefoot, and I've never had a problem. Back in my 20's, I used to workout in my underwear and barefeet, because my budget was tight, I had to pay to use the laundromat, and I didn't want to buy and dirty extra gym clothes or do extra laundry every week. Since having kids, who somtimes watch me workout, I have to wear clothes 
.
Well, unless you need orthodics/ shoes to correct skeletal, nerve, etc problems...shoes are then worn mostly for protection. A lot of the other stuff they say about them is just media hype.
Of course, not recommended for outside...or indoor impact since some cushioning will help protect your foot from injury..but yeah...I've worked out barefoot and nekkid before. oh wait...I mean, er, just barefoot.
Original Post by fitnessgirll:
.I've worked out barefoot and nekkid before. oh wait...I mean, er, just barefoot.
I work out barefoot, but no way am I working out with a sports bra (or 2) :)
Unless it's swimming, yeah, skinny dipping would be cool... if only the pool by my house wasn't a community pool. :(
Original Post by karozel:
Original Post by fitnessgirll:
.I've worked out barefoot and nekkid before. oh wait...I mean, er, just barefoot.
I work out barefoot, but no way am I working out with a sports bra (or 2) :)
Unless it's swimming, yeah, skinny dipping would be cool... if only the pool by my house wasn't a community pool. :(
There was no one home and my husband at the time enjoyed seeing me in my undies collapsed on the couch after a workout when he got home :).
Original Post by lindinig:
There was no one home and my husband at the time enjoyed seeing me in my undies collapsed on the couch after a workout when he got home :).
And now you have kids. Imagine that! 
Original Post by karozel:
Original Post by lindinig:
There was no one home and my husband at the time enjoyed seeing me in my undies collapsed on the couch after a workout when he got home :).
And now you have kids. Imagine that!
I know, I should have kept my clothes on!
check this out:
http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-240-319--6728-0,00.ht ml
and my sis' GP just told her that it's actually better for your joints to run barefoot, even outdoors - so long as it's not on asphault and such *dur*
we live right near the beach, so that's a perfect place to do it. but on the grass i imagine would be similar.
Original Post by musicalfishmich:
check this out:
http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-240-319--6728-0,00.ht ml
and my sis' GP just told her that it's actually better for your joints to run barefoot, even outdoors - so long as it's not on asphault and such *dur*
we live right near the beach, so that's a perfect place to do it. but on the grass i imagine would be similar.
weird - i can't get the URL to work - i guess if you want to read it just copy and paste it and fix the space in the ".html"
lo siento!!
omg i hate running on the beach
if it doesnt bother your legs back knees whatever go for it barefoot!
after years of impact from running i dont even do it anymore but i got a few more years running in on the newer soft tracks
it would bother me to do high impact anything at 46 so i must opt for shoes
however when i kickbox and try to get my size 9-1/2 shoes moving rapidly thru space...well...let me telll you, no shoes is best.
