Barefoot training is one of the fastest growing fitness trends in 2024. A lot of it can be attributed to athletes and fitness influencers trying out newer forms of training like pilates, mixed martial arts, that are naturally done barefoot, and realizing the merit of it.
The question stands however, is barefoot training good for you as an individual? When you’re probably going out just for a run, for a walk, or simply lifting weights?
In this particular blog we wanna talk about the authenticity of this trend.
Is it better to train barefoot than in shoes?
Long story short, Yes.
Our feet have over 1.5 lakh nerve endings. They help us understand our surroundings, our ground better, giving us a better chance at balancing ourselves, and maintaining our overall posture.
The more you train barefoot, the more you train this muscle mind connection, and the more you strengthen yourself physically, when it comes to your feet and ankles, parts of the body we practically never train.
Training barefoot also helps you identify potential challenges or injuries sooner than when you’re in shoes. Issues like lack of mobility, or simply the lack of strength in your arch muscles.
On the other hand, training in footwear means you are protected from harmful elements that may be on the ground. It also means that you have more comfort, which comes in handy especially when you are pushing yourself beyond your strength. Some shoes are also specifically designed to give you better traction and grip on certain surfaces.
That is where barefoot shoes come in. The best of both worlds, where you strip a shoe of all the comforts, but leave enough to keep yourself safe.
How to Start Training Barefoot?
Training or working out barefoot is great, no doubt. But there are a few things you need to keep in mind when you first start -
1. Ensure you are injury free
Working out barefoot means engaging muscles in the feet that have not been used as much before. It takes time and regular training to get your feet upto speed. Having a prior injury, and overworking the same muscles may lead to bigger problems. It is very important to be fully aware of your physical fitness before you take on this journey of leveling up.
2. Take it slow
Given we haven’t worked out barefeet in forever, our feet have gotten weak over the years. To suddenly expect them to function at the same level as they would in comfortable, high cushion shoes would be too much to ask for. It would be like inviting an injury.
You don’t go from deadlifting 40kgs to 100kgs in a day. Take your time and respect the feedback your feet give you when training. Listening to your body is the best thing you can do to know when it’s too much.
3. Explore as much as you can
Engage in different kinds of activities initially. Running, weights, movement, mobility, all of it to wake up your feet and prime them for this new range of motion. Also mixing it up means it is not the same muscles that keep getting used every workout, and that will help you prevent any overuse issues.
All in all, working out barefoot or in barefoot shoes is a new process that takes its own time. But sticking to it, and living this lifestyle is so liberating that once you’re in that flow you wouldn’t want to return.
If you’re looking to get your first pair of barefoot shoes, check out our collection right here at www.zenbarefoot.com
Happy training.