running on treadmill barefoot?

TamDTam

I know my feet probably need support, as well as my ankles ( broken twice in my thinner ballerina days) ..but no matter the shoe ( and Ive spent HUNDREDS on running shoes) I like to run barefoot...no socks, no shoes....besides another broken ankle, is there anything serious that I am risking?

aaronbyard

I'm all for running barefoot. That's the only way I can run, but I'd never do it on a treadmill. I think you could probably pull it off with some sort of minimalist running shoe, like Vibrams or something. I imagine a treadmill would do damage to bare feet.

s_waser

I know a couple people who have gotten blisters from doing this...they make shoes that look like toe socks for running. Not sure what they are called but I have seen them in black and people run marathons in them. They would help to protect your skin.

KeyMasterOfGozer

I do the same thing. Nature designed your feet and ankles to run and walk. It didn't design shoes on your feet.

I run on a threadmill everyday barefoot. At first it made the bottoms of my feet a little sore, kind of a pre-blister feel, but that quickly went away as my feet got used to it. Your body adapts.

http://www.barefootrunning.fas.harvard.edu/
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100127134241.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barefoot_running

yoginimary

I've walked on the treadmill barefoot. The only problem I had was the dirty feet from the track.

therobinator

My husband will be so proud of me for suggesting this (cuz I always make fun of him for his silly shoes), lol, but have you tried Five Fingers? It's the protection of shoes for your skin, but like still being barefoot structurally.

http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/index.htm

(Edited for spelling)

oscarvalles

No danger (unless your a klutz or have some bone issues). In fact it's better for your joints and it works more of the tiny muscles that help your balance.

Assuming you want shoes, everyone suggested Vibrams. Go to REI (or any runner's shoe place) and try them out before you buy them. Light running shoes that I recommend are Inov8 F Lite 195's. Those are awesome.

TamDTam

no way I could do the vibram thing...I cant stand things between my toes... I do like to wear high heels ( sandals) when the weather allows so I suppose my only concern is blisters....maybe I will do foot baths with Epsom Salts added after running

bloodbank

I only ever run (or walk) on my treadmill barefoot. My feet haven't fallen off yet.

qtpiesmom

Blisters is something i found I got and sore spots and big calluses