I’m switching gyms on Thursday to a Powerlifting Gym. I can’t wait, it’s gonna be awesome. Currently I train in Asics running shoes but the guys in BOI thread suggested I get some specially for lifting.
I know the standard are Chucks or Ottomix but wanted to know sorta three things:
I am extremely flat footed. I am fine barefoot, in fact I use to train barefoot, but the Dr. tells me its bad for my knee so I wear orthotics inside my shoes.
Do the shoes worn have to be high tops? I never really felt that comfortable in high tops but it seems most lifters use them. Is there a reason for this?
Depending on the answer to question 1, would any of these shoes work in your opinion either first hand experience or based on the image. I have first hand experience with wearing the SM II but never for lifting so they would be my first choice but I’d rather any of these to Chucks which I don’t find at all comfortable: adidas tkd shoes - Google Shopping
I do walk around barefoot or in flip-flops a lot still, when I get either those Adidas or some other weightlifting shoes should I wear my inserts or just socks?
I think it depends on what exercise you are going to use the shoe for. For deadlift you had better use shoes with a very low sole or barefeet. For squats you can use a shoe with elevated heel. I use Ironworks III for squatting and boxing shoes for deadift.
I always considered martial arts shoes which those are to be pretty flat and soleless, thats actually why I like them. Are they really not flat enough? I always thought it was almost the same thing as wrestling shoes but wrestling shoes are usually high top and these are low.
I’ll be doing Deadlift and Squat the very least. I might do some tire flipping as well, not sure which shoe I would wear for that. I can’t afford to buy two new sets of shoes so itll be my running shoes and 1 special shoe for weight lifting at least until I get to a point that I consider competing and then of course I would venture into more specific equipment.
High-tops just give a bit more support. Personally I’ve found them to be a little restrictive for my style of lifting, and actually don’t lace it through the last holes, so I have a little more ankle ROM.
The benefit of chucks is that they have the rubber side walls to push against. Also, they have laces throughout more of the shoe, which I would imagine allows the shoes to be fit tighter, providing more stability. I am no expert on shoes or Tae Kwon Do shoes though. I’ve never worn those shoes I can’t compare.
No clue about the orthotics lol. I do wonder if a) loading heavy weight on orthotics will flatten them out very quickly, and b) if orthotics will cause instability.
Just another perspective:
Mark Rippetoe, author of “Starting Strength” fame has recommended weightlifting shoes with a low heel (0.5-0.75 inch) for those that lift “raw”. He believes that the hard sole of WL shoes provide more stability than wearing chucks or other lightweight, “flimsy” shoes. Also, a slight heel helps you use the quads more at the start of the deadlift and on the squat, and allows you to maintain arch a little deeper on the squat. I know it goes against intution, but he and others on his board say they can deadlift more with a slight heel than with chucks/barefeet. Also, the velcro strap(s) on WL shoes supposedly support the foot and help it maintain an arch (for the flat footed).
I know there are some other narrow squat PLers that wear WL shoes too. At least for the squat lol.
I am extremely flat footed. I am fine barefoot, in fact I use to train barefoot, but the Dr. tells me its bad for my knee so I wear orthotics inside my shoes.
[/quote]
Your Dr. its a tool!
Vibrams, Vibrams, Vibrams! Get yourself Some Vibram Five Fingers, I do all my lifting in them and they work great. Also sense you are flat footed they can help your foot devlop and arch if you wear them for more than just lifting. I just orderd a 2nd pair sense my 1st has about had it. They are alittle tight at first but will strech out, give them a try and if you dont like them you can always just get a pair of chucks.
[quote]Himora22 wrote:
Also sense you are flat footed they can help your foot devlop and arch if you wear them for more than just lifting. .[/quote]
Oh really, bro? Can you please explain how this would occur, bro?
To OP: I’m flat footed as well and I prefer to deadlift barefoot and squat in normal basketball shoes with my inserts in them. I struggled a long time on both squats and deadlifts with coming up onto my toes instead of digging my heels into the floor and pushing through (due to the flat feet). To correct this i started putting 5 pound plates underneath my toes so I could train myself to get back on my heels. You may want to give it a try.
[quote]Himora22 wrote:
Also sense you are flat footed they can help your foot devlop and arch if you wear them for more than just lifting. .[/quote]
Oh really, bro? Can you please explain how this would occur, bro?
To OP: I’m flat footed as well and I prefer to deadlift barefoot and squat in normal basketball shoes with my inserts in them. I struggled a long time on both squats and deadlifts with coming up onto my toes instead of digging my heels into the floor and pushing through (due to the flat feet). To correct this i started putting 5 pound plates underneath my toes so I could train myself to get back on my heels. You may want to give it a try.
[/quote]
Well Bro, very few (if any) people are born with flat feet. The biggest causes of flat feet are weakened muscles in the feet and/or standing or walking for long periods in heels. Barefoot training or training in Vibrams forces you to use muscles that you never ever use while wearing shoes (even chucks). I have a friend who is a tri-athlel and lost a shoe size form training in Vibrams b/c his foot began to devlop and arch. They work bro.
Also there are a ton of ppl on these forums who use and train in Vibrams.
Um… I became flat footed by walking and being barefoot which I most commonly am. I didn’t wear shoes for the last 2 years. And on the Vibram website it even says not to get it you’re flat footed. Confused.
Personally, I think skateboarding shoes work much better than chucks. Elements, vans, whatever the hell else those stupid little shits wear when they are “grindin rails at the mall.”
[quote]Himora22 wrote:
Well Bro, very few (if any) people are born with flat feet. The biggest causes of flat feet are weakened muscles in the feet and/or standing or walking for long periods in heels. Barefoot training or training in Vibrams forces you to use muscles that you never ever use while wearing shoes (even chucks). I have a friend who is a tri-athlel and lost a shoe size form training in Vibrams b/c his foot began to devlop and arch. They work bro. [/quote]
Your assertion that very few (if any) people are born with flat feet is just false. I don’t know what more to tell you. That’s cool about your friend though, but I am still skeptical. As Enders Drift points out, it even says on their website not to use if you are flat footed (haven’t verfiied this yet though).
[quote]
Also there are a ton of ppl on these forums who use and train in Vibrams.[/quote]
I’ve never said they don’t have merit for average trainees. But the majority of the people on this forum AREN’T flat footed, so I don’t even know where you’re going with this statement as it is not relevant to the OP. Try to stay on topic, please.
[quote]Himora22 wrote:
Also sense you are flat footed they can help your foot devlop and arch if you wear them for more than just lifting. .[/quote]
Oh really, bro? Can you please explain how this would occur, bro?
To OP: I’m flat footed as well and I prefer to deadlift barefoot and squat in normal basketball shoes with my inserts in them. I struggled a long time on both squats and deadlifts with coming up onto my toes instead of digging my heels into the floor and pushing through (due to the flat feet). To correct this i started putting 5 pound plates underneath my toes so I could train myself to get back on my heels. You may want to give it a try.
[/quote]
Well Bro, very few (if any) people are born with flat feet. The biggest causes of flat feet are weakened muscles in the feet and/or standing or walking for long periods in heels. Barefoot training or training in Vibrams forces you to use muscles that you never ever use while wearing shoes (even chucks). I have a friend who is a tri-athlel and lost a shoe size form training in Vibrams b/c his foot began to devlop and arch. They work bro.
Also there are a ton of ppl on these forums who use and train in Vibrams.[/quote]
Everyone is born with flat feet. The longitudinal arch of the foot doesn’t start developing until 2-3 years of age.
I’ve never trained in Vibrams but I like the idea. I just haven’t ponied up the money to buy any but I do train barefoot.
Putting plates under the forefoot works great. It helps teach people how to push through the heel and help emphasize posterior chain recruitment & mobility. Putting weight under your heels or wearing shoes with a heel makes lifts easier.
[quote]Himora22 wrote:
Also sense you are flat footed they can help your foot devlop and arch if you wear them for more than just lifting. .[/quote]
Oh really, bro? Can you please explain how this would occur, bro?
To OP: I’m flat footed as well and I prefer to deadlift barefoot and squat in normal basketball shoes with my inserts in them. I struggled a long time on both squats and deadlifts with coming up onto my toes instead of digging my heels into the floor and pushing through (due to the flat feet). To correct this i started putting 5 pound plates underneath my toes so I could train myself to get back on my heels. You may want to give it a try.
[/quote]
Well Bro, very few (if any) people are born with flat feet. The biggest causes of flat feet are weakened muscles in the feet and/or standing or walking for long periods in heels. Barefoot training or training in Vibrams forces you to use muscles that you never ever use while wearing shoes (even chucks). I have a friend who is a tri-athlel and lost a shoe size form training in Vibrams b/c his foot began to devlop and arch. They work bro.
Also there are a ton of ppl on these forums who use and train in Vibrams.[/quote]
Are you a doctor? Have you spent years studying feet?
Oh wait…you’re from the internet and you read the ad copy on Vibram’s website so you have to know what you’re talking about.
This is a powerlifting forum, not the “I lift weights but I’m not a bodybuilder so I’ll just post here”. If this guy is planning on squatting with anything other than a very close stance, then he definitely does not need or want Vibrams. Walk into any serious powerlifting gym and try squatting in 5 fingers and people will laugh at you and ask you what the hell you think you’re doing. You need a hard sidewall if you plan on squatting like a powerlifter at all.
OP, get some $30 Chuck Taylors. Make sure they are the ones with the rubber soles and get the high tops. Put your harder orthotics in them as your collapsing arches can cause your knees to track inwards when squatting (which is BAD).
So $30 Chucks for Squatting, and at least until I’m at a much more experienced level those should be okay for Sumo Deadlifting in as well? I really can’t afford to buy two pairs of shoes right now. And wear my Orthotics during both exercises?
[quote]Enders Drift wrote:
So $30 Chucks for Squatting, and at least until I’m at a much more experienced level those should be okay for Sumo Deadlifting in as well? I really can’t afford to buy two pairs of shoes right now. And wear my Orthotics during both exercises?[/quote]
Chucks are all you will need. As long as your orthotics aren’t squishy and don’t have a raised heel, I see no reason why they would be an issue. If you have fallen arches, then the arch support will help keep your knees from tracking inward. If your orthotics are squishy or have raised heels, then I would talk to your doctor about options. Explain to him that you need hard shoes with no significant difference in heel and toe height for lifting.
No shoes for two years OP? damn you must have feet of steel.
The OP asked about shoes and I gave him my thoughts on them, how is that not staying on topic? But no, where does it say that flat footed people shouldn’t use Vibrams? It says that it will take them longer to adjust to wearing them FiveFingers footwear is designed to promote better foot mechanics naturally. An orthotic is an assistive device to support your foots function and help you compensate for any biological aberrations. If you have an extremely flat foot, you will need to work into wearing your FiveFingers gradually, as your muscles will need time to adapt and strengthen. (That is coppied for their FAQ page, my other post was not)
[quote]Stronghold wrote:
[Are you a doctor? Have you spent years studying feet?
Oh wait…you’re from the internet and you read the ad copy on Vibram’s website so you have to know what you’re talking about.
This is a powerlifting forum, not the “I lift weights but I’m not a bodybuilder so I’ll just post here”. If this guy is planning on squatting with anything other than a very close stance, then he definitely does not need or want Vibrams. Walk into any serious powerlifting gym and try squatting in 5 fingers and people will laugh at you and ask you what the hell you think you’re doing. You need a hard sidewall if you plan on squatting like a powerlifter at all.
OP, get some $30 Chuck Taylors. Make sure they are the ones with the rubber soles and get the high tops. Put your harder orthotics in them as your collapsing arches can cause your knees to track inwards when squatting (which is BAD).[/quote]
You’re right Im not a Dr. but I use them every day and have seen them work for other people. And you talk about being “laugh at in a real powerlifting gym” Well the APF is considering having its first PL meet in NC in three years at my gym this Oct. Plus I have and I will be competing in them in my gyms unsanctioned meet and an APF meet in July, so try again. I wasn’t under the impresstion that shoes made the lifter…shows what I know right. But no one has ever squated barefoot in their lives, ever, have they?
And I never said there was any thing wrong with Chucks or any other lifting shoe, OP just has to find what he likes and what works for him. just offering my 2 cents
[quote]Himora22 wrote:
No shoes for two years OP? damn you must have feet of steel.
The OP asked about shoes and I gave him my thoughts on them, how is that not staying on topic? But no, where does it say that flat footed people shouldn’t use Vibrams? It says that it will take them longer to adjust to wearing them FiveFingers footwear is designed to promote better foot mechanics naturally. An orthotic is an assistive device to support your foots function and help you compensate for any biological aberrations. If you have an extremely flat foot, you will need to work into wearing your FiveFingers gradually, as your muscles will need time to adapt and strengthen. (That is coppied for their FAQ page, my other post was not)
[quote]Stronghold wrote:
[Are you a doctor? Have you spent years studying feet?
Oh wait…you’re from the internet and you read the ad copy on Vibram’s website so you have to know what you’re talking about.
This is a powerlifting forum, not the “I lift weights but I’m not a bodybuilder so I’ll just post here”. If this guy is planning on squatting with anything other than a very close stance, then he definitely does not need or want Vibrams. Walk into any serious powerlifting gym and try squatting in 5 fingers and people will laugh at you and ask you what the hell you think you’re doing. You need a hard sidewall if you plan on squatting like a powerlifter at all.
OP, get some $30 Chuck Taylors. Make sure they are the ones with the rubber soles and get the high tops. Put your harder orthotics in them as your collapsing arches can cause your knees to track inwards when squatting (which is BAD).[/quote]
You’re right Im not a Dr. but I use them every day and have seen them work for other people. And you talk about being “laugh at in a real powerlifting gym” Well the APF is considering having its first PL meet in NC in three years at my gym this Oct. Plus I have and I will be competing in them in my gyms unsanctioned meet and an APF meet in July, so try again. I wasn’t under the impresstion that shoes made the lifter…shows what I know right. But no one has ever squated barefoot in their lives, ever, have they?
And I never said there was any thing wrong with Chucks or any other lifting shoe, OP just has to find what he likes and what works for him. just offering my 2 cents[/quote]
Like Pegg said, this is minutia. Could have been solved with 3 words: “Get Chuck Taylors.” They work better, cost 1/3 as much, and there isn’t a 3 month waiting list to get them.
Vibrams are designed to promote better foot mechanics for runners. Runner’s don’t stand in one place and push out.
Rest assured, if squatting and pulling in Vibrams was beneficial, the multiply powerlifting gear whores would have been the first to take notice. The only part of the lifting community that has embraced Vibrams is Crossfit. Congrats, you’re on the same page as people who think a 500 lb deadlift is elite and who will put kineseotape ANYWHERE (bonus points for visibility!).
[quote]StormTheBeach wrote:
Make sure if you get chucks they only come 3.22556mm exactly above your ankle bone. Or else they wont work.[/quote]
Funny story, the first time I ever trained at a real powerlifting gym, I showed up in low top Chucks and caught so much shit about it that I went and got high tops the next week. No joke.
