Working out in Flip Flops

RosaC773

Last night, I saw a guy doing deadlifts with a 40lb barbell, he moved on to the decline crunch bench and took off his sandals to be more comfortable on the bench.

Then he proceeded to the Knee/Leg Raise chair - he was swinging his feet all over the place. lol So strange.

How do you guys feel about this?

What is your go to footwear for weightlifting?

TylerJ76

If it doesn't effect me, I try not to care what other people do.

RosaC773

At first I didn't care, then he started swinging his feet near my face.

RunIntheMud

I personally wouldn't do it for health and safety reasons. But, it wouldn't bother me if someone else was.

RunIntheMud

At first I didn't care, then he started swinging his feet near my face.

That would gross me out....I'd probably just go find a different area to work out until he was out of the area.

LoganStrength

I personally wouldn't do it for health and safety reasons. But, it wouldn't bother me if someone else was.

You would think the gym would have a policy for that reason.

classycouture

To me, that sounds very unsafe. I feel like you wouldn't get good traction or support out of sandals, which could then lead to injury. Nevermind if he drops a weight! But, to each his own, I guess.

RVfrog

think of the germs he is exposing his feet to. Especially if he has a crack in his feet anywhere.....It's his feet....I'd just move who cares what others do. If I was going to the gym to workout that would be what I was there for. Let him collect all the germs he wants.

AMHouse85

I would think some kind of safety issue. Dropping a plate on his bare foot or a toe getting caught in a moving part. Shoes keep your toes safe. Let's note even talk about the germs < cringe >

Debbe2

Gyms have policies to protect members and also to keep members feeling comfortable about other members behavior. I'm pretty sure proper attire on feet would be covered. Maybe no one noticed? I'd walk away and either find a different spot to work or I'd say something to a manager if it truly was unsafe.

Blown_Away1

Poor support for that person's feet and back.

When he swung his feet by your face he showed no consideration for your space.

LeenaRuns

I lift at home -- barefoot.

LorinaLynn

I lift at home, and typically do it barefoot or in my bedroom slippers that are Ugg type booties. My sneakers aren't good for lifting.

monty619

i take my shoes off when i deadlift and squat...but i have socks on i would never be barefoot in a gym.. i need some of those cool toe-shoe things but then id be even more of a douchbag than i already am.

MinnieInMaine

It's one thing to workout barefoot at home - I usually do that too since I'm more comfy that way. But we're talking about someone lifting weights in a public gym with no shoes on. Not only would that possibly be a safety/liability issue for the gym but it's unsanitary for this guy and others. Blech! I'd check with the gym staff about their footwear policy. If there isn't one, I'd just ignore him and hope he doesn't hurt himself. If there is one, I'd let them know he's violating the rule and grossing you (and probably others) out.

_JR_

i take my shoes off when i deadlift and squat...but i have socks on i would never be barefoot in a gym.. i need some of those cool toe-shoe things but then id be even more of a douchbag than i already am.

The VFFs are like alcohol, they only serve to amplify your current level of douchiness or coolness. Rest assured, I'm no douche when I wear mine on leg day.

HypersonicFitNess

Personally, I'd laugh my hiney off when he drops a weight on his toe...b/c he'll wish he had a little bit of SHOE to protect his toes before they got squashed...but hey that's just me. It's going to hurt either way and if he stubs his toe on a bench, well...again going to sting worse not having a shoe on, actually, might not hurt if he was wearing cross trainers, probably only stub the rubber sole. But...who am I?

I wouldn't weight train w/out my cross trainers on...btw - I have a weight room set up at home (a full gym) and I ALWAYS wear shoes in there unless I'm only going in to do stretching; but if my husband was in there working out too...I'd wear shoes to stretch too...don't want smashed toes. We did put in 1" rubber floors in the gym.

caroldot

I saw a guy yesterday at the gym lifting weights with bare feet. And all I thought was how sorry he'd be if a weight fell on his foot! Plus just thinking of sanitary issues - walking barefoot around on the dirty gym floor - yuck!

And I work out at one of those big nat'l chain gyms so surprised they even allow it.

monty619

i take my shoes off when i deadlift and squat...but i have socks on i would never be barefoot in a gym.. i need some of those cool toe-shoe things but then id be even more of a douchbag than i already am.

The VFFs are like alcohol, they only serve to amplify your current level of douchiness or coolness. Rest assured, I'm no douche when I wear mine on leg day.

lol prolly true.. just dont walk around in them like every day...its the equivalent of wearing a bluetooth in public get those jerk vibes.

_binary_jester_

I work out in my Vibrams. They are awesome

...and ugly as all get out.

TylerJ76

I work out in my Vibrams. They are awesome

...and ugly as all get out.

Ugly is an understatement.

WarriorCupcakeBlydnsr

My gym is letting me do my work outs barefoot temporarily (it's a very small gym) only because I broke a toe in two places (not at the gym, it was a skydiving shark attack) and my trainer couldn't stand to see the look on my face when I put shoes on and tried to move with a shoe on. As soon as I can have a shoe on my foot with minimal pain, the shoes go back on as far as I'm concerned.

HellsKells

I wouldn't do it, because it sounds like an accident waiting to happen, but to each their own.

ChristyRunStarr

I would think some kind of safety issue. Dropping a plate on his bare foot or a toe getting caught in a moving part. Shoes keep your toes safe. Let's not even talk about the germs < cringe >

My thoughts exactly

bassmanlarry

I workout barefoot at home, but if I did go to a gym, I would use VFF's. Not sure your average shoe is going to offer you much protection from dropping a weight on your foot, and steel toe boots seem impractical.

PetulantOne

I lift at home -- barefoot.

Me too. Sneakers won't really help that much if you drop a plate on your foot anyway. I wouldn't do it at the gym though. I'd be afraid of athlete's foot.

Rogiefreida

I wouldn't do it, because it sounds like an accident waiting to happen, but to each their own.

Yes. If i worked out in flip flops, I would proceed to drop a barbell on my feet, then trip over the flip flops and face plant.

And the feet near the face? Ew.

DrMAvDPhD

I've been wearing my Vibrams for lifting the last two weeks and it is amazing how much it has improved my balance and consequently, form. I understand the draw, but would complain to the staff about someone going truly barefoot. That is a lot of germs that I'd rather not be passed around. This is a public place not the privacy of your own home.

And really, shoes do NOT protect you from falling weights or moving parts unless you are wearing steel toes, which isn't the typical gym wear. As a Vibrams wearer, I also don't buy into the whole "your foot NEEDS the support" deal either, my back pain and posture are a million times improved since switching to minimalist shoes.

Kerri_is_so_very

I see a guy in the weight room lifting pretty heavy wearing crocs...lol I don't care what he wears, but :laugh: it doesn't look very manly while lifting those big heavy weights!! :laugh: :laugh:

morningmud

I'd just be proud that I dead-lift heavier than a guy but also pretty icked out.

DrMAvDPhD

I'd just be proud that I dead-lift heavier than a guy but also pretty icked out.

Ahaha okay I must admit I thought that too.