Barefoot Running

The five fingers are becoming increasingly popular among both the dedicated and casual running community. As the word "functional training" gets redefined so does our training gear; it's going the direction of the caveman. Being fitter doesn't necessarily require high-tech stuff. Have you ever noticed the fittest people on the Earth tend to be minimalists? And I don't mean the best in sports as sport is a specialized skill. I mean the MOST FIT. The people who possess the greatest range of abilities and strength train with minimal assistance from specialized machinery or technology.

People do ask me an awful lot about the vibram shoes and what my opinion is about them. I personally love them, but I love them for different reasons than I think most. By no means do they hurt anyone or help anyone. Once you put them on they don't levitate you over the road for your desired distance at your desired pace, nor do they slam your feet into the ground as you run. They simply allow you to make a choice, to become a healthy runner or not. What one does in them and how one achieves their goal is his or her inherent choice. Modern shoes control foot placement and shock absorption so much so, it hampers natural control. This explains why many runners develop shin splints, various hip problems, bunions and several other related impairments.

A somewhat funny response is that the toe shoes look funny or even "creepy." Honestly if it's function your looking for, my first response is to suck it up and get them. You'll feel better, move better, squat better and run better if you take the time. Simply put: Function Over Fashion. If the toey things still bother you New Balance makes a GREAT pair of shoes called the Minimus. They have the full advantage of a minimal control shoe and they don't look like foot gloves. Vibram puts out a wide variety of shoes with a different amount of protection on each. Evaluate your goals and then find the right shoe.

An awesome read right here on 10 Reasons you shouldn't run barefoot! Enjoy...