Does anyone workout barefoot?

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BrendaLee
BrendaLee Posts: 4,463 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I don't have sneakers, so I've always done my workouts (aerobics mostly) barefoot. Does anyone else workout barefoot? Is it a bad idea to continue like that? I've noticed more creaking in my knees lately, and some arch pain...but I was kind of hoping my feet would strengthen naturally if I continued barefoot.

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  • Azdak
    Azdak Posts: 8,281 Member
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    I used to folk dance barefoot--and at times when I forgot my shoes, I have done a stairmaster or cross trainer without shoes (just put some towels on the footpads).

    But running and walking....no....with my foot structure and biomechanics, my knees would be shredded.
  • guidosgal
    guidosgal Posts: 581 Member
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    Good, bad or indifferent I do my WII fit barefoot. I am not a big one to ever wear shoes in my house so I it just habit for me :)
  • BetterVersion
    BetterVersion Posts: 459
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    I hate wearing shoes. Whenever I'm forced to workout inside, I refuse to wear them. I don't really know if it effects your workout at all, but no, you're not alone.
  • jb_sweet_99
    jb_sweet_99 Posts: 856 Member
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    It's good to wear them to absorb shock, but if you are only doing low impact you should be ok. I always wear my runners, my knees kill me if I don't :bigsmile:
  • LisaZaugg1976
    LisaZaugg1976 Posts: 1,144 Member
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    I like to wear mine for shock absorbent it is better on my legs and ankles when I do. I do a lot of jumping doing my wii EA Active or my jillian Michaels videos
  • Sarandipity
    Sarandipity Posts: 1,560
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    I workout barefoot.... I haven't noticed many issues from that so far. I have to keep my workouts fairly low impact as I live on the thrid floor of an apartment building. I don't want the poor people below me to think the ceiling is going to cave in :laugh: But seriously, I occasionally feel a bit of pain in the balls of my feet, but my ankles and knees have been fine.
  • fortiter00
    fortiter00 Posts: 47 Member
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    I think it depends how your feet are and what activities you are doing. I can do Yoga and stretching barefoot, but anything involving impact or plyometric movements requires sneakers with good lateral support. Enjoy.
  • linzismith
    linzismith Posts: 139 Member
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    i do yoga, dance and aerobics indoors every once in a while without shoes with no problem. but a couple years ago I had really bad blisters on my heels from hiking boots and so when I went running, i went barefoot on the grass. I did that for three days in a row (about 2 miles each run) and on the fourth day, when I went to get out of bed, my arches were hurting so bad i couldn't even walk around my house barefoot. i had to wear shoes constantly for the next 3 days just to get my feet to stop hurting.

    so if you've noticed pain in your arches i'd say it's definitely from not wearing shoes. if i were you, i'd wear shoes to work out like twice a week.
  • NotSurprised
    NotSurprised Posts: 8,083 Member
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    I walk Bare foot with socks on though, so I guess not completely barefeet, but I love it. I started walking like that because of blisters from dress shoes I used to walk in, I had to remove them and could not wear shoes for a week maybe longer and then started to while rehabing would walk in socks, because I literally could not in shoes, and when I was healed I decided I did not want to get blisters again & I also very much enjoyed walking in socks so decided I would do it the rest of my life no joke, in the house that is.:laugh: I know that the repeated turning in shoes would cause me to get blisters again, so that was that & all for the best, because walking naturally is the best feeling.:smile:
  • miaangel345
    miaangel345 Posts: 54
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    I only do Yoga and Pilates barefoot, I don't think it's good to do aerobics barefoot since it can put such a strain on your arch.
  • arewethereyet
    arewethereyet Posts: 18,702 Member
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    I do when I am at home. I HATE shoes!

    Of course thsi is against the advice of my podiatrist, orthopedist, family doctor and chiropractor. Good shoes protect knees and ankles more than feet.

    I just cannot bring myself to wear shoes in my own house:ohwell:
  • pawprint061
    pawprint061 Posts: 640
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    I only work out barefoot... unless I'm on equipment or running. Shoes just seem to get in my way..
  • silvertears
    silvertears Posts: 106 Member
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    I used to workout all the time barefoot. But I've had some foot issues lately and wearing shoes helps - even just around the house. I hate shoes, but I hate for my feet to hurt more.
  • TByrd1325
    TByrd1325 Posts: 920 Member
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    My dad has worked out barefoot for years and he's always tried to get me to do so. (to no avail) Unless he's outside running, he thinks it's more comfortable.
  • jenninsocal
    jenninsocal Posts: 419
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    Ouch Ouch Ouch! I try.. I hate shoes, but it KILLS my arch after about 10 minutes of low-impact cardio.
  • amosarli
    amosarli Posts: 4
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    I used to work out bare foot, I hated wearing shoes! But I found my knees and arches felt it when I tried to step up the intensity. I discovered my problem was that I never had a pair of sneakers that fitted properly! I have since been fitted by a professional and have never looked back!

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