One of my New Years resolutions is to begin a new tradition. To satisfy this resolution I will be starting a recurring post called The Top 10 Series. Consider this the first installment. Hope you enjoy!
Check out the Top 10 Reasons to Train Naked! ………What is training Naked?
OK, I tried to get your attention. What I really mean is training barefoot, which I have written an entire post about here. My intention for The Top 10 Series is to create a list with as little explaination as possible. Hope you enjoy!
Top 10 Reasons to Train Naked (Barefoot)
10. Improve proprioception – fancy word for knowing where your limbs are in space without having to look at them. *important for preventing injury
9. Alleviate back pain – for real
8. Improve our long lost anatomically correct spine angle – will help get rid of belly out back arch compensation position caused by prolonged shoe use
7. Forces us to groom our feet! – stimulate local economy by keeping the neighbourhood pedicurist in business
6. Improve balance – good for many reasons, including any athletic pursuit
5. Decrease likelihood of injury – decrease chance of ankle sprains at the expense of stubbing your toe……seriously
4. People will notice you – not always pleasant, but they are just jealous
Take the inspiration for this post as an example. This picture was taken while on vacation in San Sebastian, Spain in 2008.
I can’t believe this guy was training naked but kept his shoes on! Click the image to fully understand my disappointment.
For the record, I do not know either of the men in the picture, nor can I remember if it was my wife or I that is behind the camera (hhmmmm….). Upon further review it appears as though the man in the blue shirt, is either disgusted with the naked biker, or with my wife or I for snapping this pic. Continuing on…
The Top 3 Reasons to Train Barefoot……
3. Increase life expectancy of your favorite sneakers – we know how expensive great footwear can be
2. One less pair of socks to wash!
1. Instant conversation starter – it has happened to me several times, and was not always pleasant, but people are interested nonetheless
If you are one of the brave souls who have tried barefoot training please feel free to add something to this Top 10 List
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I have never trained barefoot and I know I would be self conscious doing so! However, any time I look at old pictures of Arnold Schwarzenneger (our now former Governor), or any of the guys from the Muscle Beach era there they are training barefoot.
I think Arnold mentioned one of the benefits as those you mentioned above, preventing injury and spine alignment.
Maybe I will consider this at some point.
-Sam
Sam
Thanks for stopping by. I have not fully embraced barefoot training myself. I have taken some baby steps however. I have gone barefoot when lifting, but not yet with my high intensity training. That is another one of my goals for the new year.
Cheers,
Jordan
I was wondering where this was going based on the title of the post…good stuff about barefoot training. I haven’t taken that step yet but the more I read, the more it seems like it’s something that I should try.
I do like to squat and dead lift in bare feet but I haven’t tried anything else.
I would like to try and run bare feet but haven’t gotten over the mind thing yet.
I do draw the line at shoes though I’ll think I’ll keep the rest of my clothes on, although have been known at some parties to strip a bit!
Raymond
Jordan,
I’ve read a lot lately about the benefits of going barefoot. I’m planning to buy a pair of Vibram 5-Fingers barefoot shoes and see how I like them.
Alykhan
Raymond,
I just did some barefoot deadlifts today! I am going to slowly try running barefoot.
You must have been the life of the party!
Alykhan,
I am thinking about purchasing Vibrams as well. Let me know what you think of them, after you give it a shot. It’s a huge movement right now, and most people that own a pair seem to love them.
- Jordan
Hey Jordan,
Great post! I’m pretty sure the laws in Spain are the same as most everywhere when it comes to public nudity, so I’m guessing that guy was trying to unlock his bike before the cops got him
Training, or any activity, barefoot helps to develop the smaller supporting muscles in the feet, legs and the rest of the body. It definitely makes sense, we wouldn’t have survived this long if we had to wait for the invention of footwear. Plus better “grooming” of the feet can only be a good thing in my opinion.
Happy New Year Jordan,
I’ve been running and training in the Nike free sneakers for a few years now and I really like them. It’s not quite like barefoot training but close.
Best – Mike
David,
From what I remember, this guy wasn’t too concerned about much! I agree, we survived without shoes for so long, so there must be some advantage to training this way.
Mike,
I have not checked out the Nike free sneakers, but I will. Happy New Year to you too!
Cheers,
Jordan
I quite often train my calves barefoot, as I think you get a better feel that way, though in the gym I have to be mindful that someone doesn’t step on my toes!
I’ve been prone to quite a few ankle injuries in the past, so methinks its time to think about how I can spend more time barefoot (it feels good too). Thanks for the post
I have also suffered several ankle sprains in the past, and completed extensive barefoot rehab to get my stabilizer strength back to 100%.
As for feeling good you are right. It is really fun outdoors too. I took my class outside last year to play soccer, the first thing they did when they made it to the field was take off their shoes. The begged me to play barefoot because of how good it felt. It was the first time a group of students all wanted the same thing, kind of strange…. Unfortunately, the safety guidelines do not permit this to happen, so I had to spoil their fun, but maybe this is a sign of things to come, and people will begin to accept the benefits of barefoot living.
Cheers,
Jordan
I see a lot of guys do squats and deadlifts barefoot, when I asked they mentioned that it has to do with stability. I’m glad you mentioned it as I’ve been meaning to try it.
I have been going barefoot for those lifts specifically. My wife just mentioned to me that she thinks I look like a crazy man placing my shoes off to the side at the gym. She worries that the staff there will tell me to put my shoes on! I hope they do.
Jordan
I’m a barefoot girl! I have a pair of vibram fivefingers and nike frees (which I wear more in the winter). I have had some calf issues from excessive running a few years back. I notice that just by walking around barefoot or with those types of footwear you can greatly increase your stability in your lower body and strength of muscles you didn’t even know you had!
That is awesome Susan. I find I have more control of my feet since implementing some barefoot training. I think I am due for a pair of vibram fivefingers!
Jordan
I guess I should of read the entire post first!
I read the title and just took everything off and went down in the basement to train. I forgot that my mother-in-law was visiting! I wonder why she wouldn’t spot me on pull ups?
-Kelly
Kelly,
You win the funniest comment award! However training naked might be a good strategy to scare off you mother in-law in the future.
Jordan
When I train at home I only wear shorts. No shirt no shoe great training! Great post
I’ve been doing martial arts barefoot for about 10 years, it really builds your feet up, and your balance. Two years ago I started barefoot running, and occasionally went to my apartments’ fitness center barefoot to weight train there. Balancing with weights is even better. But the last time I went wearing sandals the security guy told me it was “dangerous” to wear open toed shoes and I couldn’t train there anymore without close toed shoes. His shoes were regular cloth covered athletic shoes, sooo much safer.
So I got me some Vibram 5 Finger shoes. They’re much better for running on the old eroded asphalt track through the apartment grounds. I haven’t been back to the fitness center yet, but the rules only ban open toed shoes, so I expect there won’t be any trouble.
Dale,
Thanks for commenting. It’s always nice to hear from somebody who uses the techniques I wrtie about!
Our school board just released a new policy on footwear. Meaning we can not wear open toed shoes ever! Walking or training barefoot is entirely out of the question.
Vibram 5 fingers are great, but they probably won’t make the approved list of footwear, however that won’t stop me from purchasing a pair.
Cheers,
Jordan