Squatting, deadlifting, and benching.. barefoot?

distinctlybeautiful

I've been considering buying some Chucks for lifting, but then I heard about lifting barefoot. I was planning to try lifting in a pair of slipper socks because no way was I going fully barefoot at the gym, and I was worried about traction. So I googled "lifting in slippers" and discovered these things called deadlift slippers. That's about as far as I looked into it before I tried it! Turns out my regular socks gave me enough traction, so today I squatted and deadlifted in them. I kinda liked it. I guess I'm just wondering if any of y'all know about it or have experience with it and can tell me anything about it. Thanks!

DawnEmbers

I've done deadlifts and squats in just socks and they were fine. I did however struggle a tiny bit on the squats in re-racking the bar because without shoes I'm not quite as tall though my shoes don't add that much either. Never tried benching without shoes.

Snow3y

What would be the point in benching without shoes? lol Squatting barefoot is cool, but many gyms are against it. Deadlifting - I recommend doing it with flat sole shoes instead

CollieFit

I've see people squat at my gym in socks or in Vibrams, and was also wondering what the advantage might be as a few of the serious lifting people are doing it.

Titanuim

I do all my lifting in bare feet but that is because I do it in my home gym where the safety regulations don't count. I much prefer it to wearing shoes as it helps me have better balance as I can fully feel the floor.

The yoga/pilates socks they sell with toes and grips on the soles might work just as well.

Colje128

Having an elevated heel is better for squatting but if that's out of the question then barefoot (or socks) is the next best thing although, apparently, it takes a toll on the arches over time. If you want to take it up as a sport, perhaps look in to some adipowers? That seems to be what all the powerlifters at my gym are wearing.

piperdown44

Strictly socks here for squatting and deadz.
I slip my shoes on after each set to keep the toesies warm……..

MommyMeggo

I lift in socks in my garage.

singingflutelady

I used to lift in socks but my gym startes enforcing the rules about shoes (they used to not care if you were powerlifting) so I now use chucks.

Willbenchforcupcakes

I'll pull occasionally in socks when the rest of my training is best in my lifting shoes but otherwise it's chucks for deads and lifting shoes for squats and bench.

kwtilbury

singingflutelady wrote: »

I used to lift in socks but my gym startes enforcing the rules about shoes (they used to not care if you were powerlifting) so I now use chucks.

This. I alternate between chucks and New Balance Minimus.

isabcas

your foot doctor will be happy

jillmarie125

kwtilbury wrote: »

singingflutelady wrote: »

I used to lift in socks but my gym startes enforcing the rules about shoes (they used to not care if you were powerlifting) so I now use chucks.

This. I alternate between chucks and New Balance Minimus.

I agree with New Balance Minimus. I prefer barefoot but when i have to cover my feet, i wear them!

SonyaCele

i DL and squat in chucks. I'm not going barefoot or in my socks at the gym.

I bench in my running shoes for extra tread grip for leg drive.

Packerjohn

kwtilbury wrote: »

singingflutelady wrote: »

I used to lift in socks but my gym startes enforcing the rules about shoes (they used to not care if you were powerlifting) so I now use chucks.

This. I alternate between chucks and New Balance Minimus.

Good choices. Wrestling shoes which are on deep discounts this time of year are good also.

giantrobot_powerlifting

I prefer to front squat without shoes, but if I brought the wrong shoes in for back squats, deadlifts (I too wear New Balance Minimus for deadlifting. I will be phasing them out soon) or any type of standing overhead pressing motion, socks.

You can't under-estimate the value of a firm footing.

erialcelyob

I can sort of see why but I would just be worried about squishing my toes with a weight.

Chieflrg

Packerjohn wrote: »

kwtilbury wrote: »

singingflutelady wrote: »

I used to lift in socks but my gym startes enforcing the rules about shoes (they used to not care if you were powerlifting) so I now use chucks.

This. I alternate between chucks and New Balance Minimus.

Good choices. Wrestling shoes which are on deep discounts this time of year are good also.

Wrestling shoes are my goto if I have to wear shoes. So low and flat yet comfortable, and they make them for big wide foot people like myself since Chucks are impossible for me.

Packerjohn

erialcelyob wrote: »

I can sort of see why but I would just be worried about squishing my toes with a weight.

Unless you wear heavy work boots, nothing typically worn in the gym will offer much protection against a falling plate.

nathan_haveagoodday

I squatted using water shoes the other day. They were very inexpensive. Plus the thin soles let me feel grounded and stable because I could spread my toes out (which I can't do in Chucks).

singingflutelady

erialcelyob wrote: »

I can sort of see why but I would just be worried about squishing my toes with a weight.

Honestly if you dropped a plate your shoes are not going to be much better than dropping it on your socked feet.

Movemoreguy22

I do all my workouts in socks, I always get moaned at by the staff and they give me a lecture about dropping weights on my feet but these gonna be no difference from dropping it when wearing shoes, it still bloody hurt

rileyes

I think of flat shoes (like Chucks) as the foundation pad (as in construction). You may get a bit more area to spread the force evenly. Going barefoot (I do this more) may help you focus on distributing the weight evenly on all points (toes to heel).

I bought some flat cross trainers so I could superset barbell moves with jumps or sprints.

SonyaCele

you aren't supposed to drop the weights on your feet. although i've tossed dumbbells down after chest pressing and had them bounce and land on my feet. And i've had plates tip over and land on my feet. That friggen hurts!

singingflutelady

garyggriffin wrote: »

I do all my workouts in socks, I always get moaned at by the staff and they give me a lecture about dropping weights on my feet but these gonna be no difference from dropping it when wearing shoes, it still bloody hurt

I want to not wear shoes but they threaten expulsion and 1. I love my gym 2. It's a Y and I have a subsidized membership and can't afford any other gym

mike_bold

I DL in socks, seems to help with the initial launch, well that's my impression anyways. I don't bother removing my shoes when squatting, because I figure the shoe is about as compressed as it's going to get when you unrack the bar.

SonyaCele

an oldie but still funny. dont deadlift in high heels.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tBRTPIl1mw

alisfitgoal

I wear olympic shoes for squatting (I own some old school do-wins) and wrestling shoes for deadlifting (they are very flat). I would say 90% of the powerlifters I know wear wrestling shoes or deadlift slippers for deadlifting. From a competition standpoint, a flat stance allows you to decrease your range of motion and engage your hamstrings more while deadlifting, and the heel in olympic shoes makes the range of motion easier on your hips. That said, depending on your stance and personal preference, squatting in flat shoes might feel better to you. Either way, flats are better than running shoes for both. If you get wrestling shoes, try to get ones that do not have a split sole. Overall, I say wrestling shoes are a good overall weightlifting shoe choice - they are inexpensive, flat, but in my opinion easier to do dynamic movements in (jumps, lunges, etc). than chucks, and more versatile than oly shoes. People might say the same about some of the reebok crossfit shoes, but on principle I can't buy crossfit specific gear

MommyMeggo

SonyaCele wrote: »

an oldie but still funny. dont deadlift in high heels.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tBRTPIl1mw

JoRocka

erialcelyob wrote: »

I can sort of see why but I would just be worried about squishing my toes with a weight.

and you think a tiny thing piece of fabric is going to stop the weight?

I lift in socks- or new balance minimums- or vibrams.

lorrpb

I'd be surprised if the gym rules actually allow going barefoot anywhere except the shower and possibly yoga class.