I don’t compete in olympic lifting but perform many front squats and play around with high pulls and cleans. The front squat is the main lift in which I am concerned about improving. My max is currency 152kg. Previously I have been squatting barefoot. I have realized that the dorsiflexion in the bottom position of the lift makes me less comfortable in the hole. I tried front squatting with the smallest plates under my heal and it felt great. I felt like I could focus on being explosive rather than thinking about my ankles.
I have decided that I want to purchase lifting shoes. Could you recommend a lifting shoe? I want something that is not to expensive and will help with my squatting.
I second the Nike Romaleos, I’ve had mine for almost 4 years now ( probably wear on average twice a week) and they are a tough and comfortable shoe. Yes they are pricy, but i’ve never had shoes hold up so well.
I have never worn “lifting shoes”. Used to wear nike reax but went to lifting bare foot. Is lifting bare foot safe? I have never seemed to have any problems with injury and have actually increased the depth of my BB squat both back and front.
I’ve been lifting in Tai Chi shoes. I bought them cheap because I was living in China at the time, and they have a flat, hard sole that means they don’t absorb power you need for lifting. At least my pair does.
If you squat with a wide sumo stance, then you might not benefit from squat shoes. People often prefer a flat shoes like Chucks if they are using a really wide stance.
I am by no means a squat expert. I’ve spent years pretty much avoiding heavy squats, and I’m only recently getting back to working on my squat and am learning to front squat. I have really excellent mobility BUT now that I’m doing a lot of deep squating and OH squats with the Oly lifts, the squat shoes really help me keep my spine neutral, especially when I’m balancing a BB overhead.
The wider/ firm platform of a squat shoe is better than your narrow natural foot if you’re trying to have a stable surface for deep squatting with a more standard or Oly type foot placement, IMO.
I have noticed a huge difference after trying to take Oly classes in Chucks.
I still like to DL in Chucks or barefoot.
Alan talks about squat shoes a bit at about 2:45 into the video.
I’ll see how well the Adidas Powerlifts hold up. I notice a lot of more experienced people go up in price. I do see the Powerlift .2s around my gym a lot. And the Adipowers on more of the advanced people.
One guy does walking lunges in them. I don’t know how he can stand it. They aren’t made to bend. Once I’m done with Oly lifts or squats I change back into something more comfortable.
Maybe he just likes the added height from the raised heel. I’ve gotten to the point where by I can just about do anything in my Adipowers. That being said, I don’t own a single pair of soft soled shoes.
To the OP. Just a head’s up. This may not happen to you, but I developed some anterior knee pain after getting my new shoes. It’s been over six weeks now and I’ve adjusted and my knees are just fine…
I talked to my coach about it. I wondered if I should try knee sleeves. He assured me that it wasn’t an injury. it was just soreness related to adjusting to the new position/ new shoes. I’m doing a lot of Olylifts and squats right now. He just suggested stretching and foam rolling and tough it out.
