[quote]fireflyz wrote:
who cares what you look like while working out? I use both chucks and nike frees. I like the nikes, but really there’s no difference between the two…chucks might actually simulate barefoot better actually and are much cheaper. I’d suggest getting a pair of chucks about a halfsize bigger than what you normally wear and go with it.[/quote]
This.
I got a pair of oversized chucks and I don’t regret it at all. They give me a sturdier base for squatting and deadlifting. Definitely worth the money
There’s been numerous threads about the Vibram Five Finger KSOs & Five Fingers in general - they get their fans & haters all over T-Nation but bottom line use what works for YOU.
I myself have 3 pairs of KSOs (love the hell out of them (1 black pair I am wearing into the ground at the gym & 2 more for backup when they wear out - & if you’ve seen how thin the soles are on these babies, you’ll understand they last but not that long) but they do not float everyone’s boat. A lot of Chuck Taylor lovers out there so to each their own.
I would NOT however go the poor man’s route to the extent I would “hollow out” some ball kicks - buy some Chucks or water shoes, even to protect your feet & form at the least - foot injuries suck man.
Invest in a pair of decent shoes you like for the gym - when you think about it you are investing in yourself & your health/safety.
[quote]talon2nr7588 wrote:
Are shoes important when it comes to working out? I always use tennis shoes. Are there benefits to going bare foot or wearing shoes that are near bare foot?[/quote]
there are a few articles on here about benefits of barefoot training, and importance of proper footwear especially for lifts like squats and deadlifts.
and to OP, if $$ is the primary concern, go get a pair of Converse knock-offs from Walmart, around $20.
[quote]sumabeast wrote:
talon2nr7588 wrote:
Are shoes important when it comes to working out? I always use tennis shoes. Are there benefits to going bare foot or wearing shoes that are near bare foot?
there are a few articles on here about benefits of barefoot training, and importance of proper footwear especially for lifts like squats and deadlifts.
and to OP, if $$ is the primary concern, go get a pair of Converse knock-offs from Walmart, around $20.[/quote]
Its not so much the $$, its spending it when i don’t need to. Sounds like the consensus is that I need to. The wal-mart idea is good i’ll look and see if they have any. Thanks.
[quote]dirtebird wrote:
hardgnr wrote:
Take your shoes off when you squat…I do sometimes since I’m so used to barefoot.
Ill be going to a YMCA, doubt they’ll let me get away with going barefoot. ill try it though[/quote]
I do it socks at the Y, and for deadlifts as well… the staff there doesnt even come into the freewieght section, the desk is beside the machines/treadmills.
Just curious, why recommend bigger Chucks? I prefer mine about a 1/2 size smaller than my regular shoe size, since they run big and stretch, and I like them tight on my feet (less side-to-side wiggle potential).
[quote]pushmepullme wrote:
Just curious, why recommend bigger Chucks? I prefer mine about a 1/2 size smaller than my regular shoe size, since they run big and stretch, and I like them tight on my feet (less side-to-side wiggle potential).[/quote]
Your toes should be able to naturally splay out and not be restricted by the tightness of the shoe in order to send the right information to the brain.
[quote]stockzy wrote:
pushmepullme wrote:
Just curious, why recommend bigger Chucks? I prefer mine about a 1/2 size smaller than my regular shoe size, since they run big and stretch, and I like them tight on my feet (less side-to-side wiggle potential).
Your toes should be able to naturally splay out and not be restricted by the tightness of the shoe in order to send the right information to the brain.[/quote]
A’ight, makes sense, I got plenty of splay due to the large toebox already. Gracias.
i would say just take your shoes off for those sets. i’ve done squats and deads in just my socks in two different gyms and no one has ever said anything to me about it. come to think of it, one of the trainers in my current gym pulls barefoot.
[quote]dirtebird wrote:
sumabeast wrote:
talon2nr7588 wrote:
Are shoes important when it comes to working out? I always use tennis shoes. Are there benefits to going bare foot or wearing shoes that are near bare foot?
there are a few articles on here about benefits of barefoot training, and importance of proper footwear especially for lifts like squats and deadlifts.
and to OP, if $$ is the primary concern, go get a pair of Converse knock-offs from Walmart, around $20.
Its not so much the $$, its spending it when i don’t need to. Sounds like the consensus is that I need to. The wal-mart idea is good I’ll look and see if they have any. Thanks. [/quote]
Dude don’t overthink this - there is a shitload of bells & whistles that people think they “need” for lifting but if you want to go pure basics don’t buy anything & just go barefoot. Unless your gym staff freak out, of course.
Otherwise we are just throwing out opinions & suggestions your way. Either way good luck & keep lifting.
Agreed. I will say that flat footwear for squats and deadlifts are important, but outside of that, it’s not too big of a deal. I see way too many guys trying to squat in running shoes or basketball shoes and thier heels are completely off the ground. That’s just asking for trouble.
As to the bigger sized chucks, there was an article a few months ago about how our footwear has in a lot of cases constrained our feet (to include the tendons and ligamets). Since reading that I’ve been wearing sanuk’s, chucks, and sandals exlusively. I use to wear a ten and a half sized shoe, now I wear an 11 and a half and my flexibility/mobility has noticeably improved. So IME there is some merit to that.
