Barefoot vs. Shoes in muscle activation during lifts?

contingencyplan

I've noticed that when performing basic bodyweight exercises, such as air squats, I experience much more muscle activation in certain lower body muscle groups, such as the glutes, when exercising barefoot vs. with shoes on. However, when doing loaded exercises with weights, the opposite seems to be true. Anyone else have this? Or is it just me? And why is it, I wonder? Does working with a load just naturally make my body want to lean more off the heels to help balance it?

meshashesha2012

probably because the loaded weight throws you off balance and you might be coming too far forward during your back squats or not far enough back when doing front squats.

the way to get around that is to practice, practice, practice.. focus on engaging your stabilizing muscles and if necessary decrease the weight until you find your balance