Home Workouts: Barefoot vs. Sneakers

BleedsCoffee
BleedsCoffee Posts: 247 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Hey guys! It's me, the advice sponge, back for more! I just started doing Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred and while I'm completely comfortable barefoot, I wanted to know if there were any pros/cons/warnings that I should know about doing home workouts in my bare feet as opposed to wearing sneakers. I don't experience any sort of discomfort doing things barefoot, but if there's some reason that I should be "sneakering-up", I'd like to know (and adjust)!

Replies

  • majope
    majope Posts: 1,325 Member
    Nah, you're fine barefoot. There might be people with specific foot problems who need to wear shoes while working out, but you say you haven't had any discomfort--so if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
  • divemunkey
    divemunkey Posts: 288 Member
    Always workout barefoot if it's safe to do so. Your feet actually get to do what they were made to do when they are uncovered. Great opportunity to strengthen the muscles and tendons of your feet and calves.
  • shadow2soul
    shadow2soul Posts: 7,692 Member
    I have worked out at home for about a year now and the only time I wear shoes is if I'm using a resistance tube/band. For whatever reason they make my feet hurt if I don't wear shoes.
  • Run4Me2Day
    Run4Me2Day Posts: 344 Member
    It depends on you situation, I agree...I have to wear shoes...I have spurs and plantar fasciitis......so I would say if you are not having any issues then you are probably ok.
  • MissE4410
    MissE4410 Posts: 173 Member
    You are in the exact same position as me :) I just finished the 30DS yesterday and I did the whole thing barefoot. I JUST bought runners today for my second time around with it as without runners it can be really hard to balance and I found that I had NO balance when doing the backward lunge with arm raise. (level 1 circuit 2 I think?)
    Be careful because you can wreck the arch in your feet. I especially found my feet sore after the jump rope and jumping jacks.

    YAY for starting the shred!
  • BleedsCoffee
    BleedsCoffee Posts: 247 Member
    I actually have nearly NO arches to wreck! I've never had spurs or any other issue (minus severing the pinkie toe on my right foot and having to have it sewn back on), so I was hoping that I could remain barefoot. It DOES appear to be challenging my balance, which I like! Thank you so much for the responses!
  • CupcakesAndRazorblades
    CupcakesAndRazorblades Posts: 227 Member
    dropping handweights on your tootsies would hurt though!
  • eamartin
    eamartin Posts: 216 Member
    I try to work out barefoot but I have hardwood floor & sometimes it gets too sweaty & I slip.. So if you don't have that issue, I would say go barefoot!
  • missjojo31
    missjojo31 Posts: 150
    carpet on your feet might hurt i guess. lol :)
  • paygep
    paygep Posts: 401 Member
    Was just wondering about this myself. I have one aerobics video with a lot of yoga inspired moves. Did it with shoes on and my feet were really hurting. I think I will just try it shoes off next time. I like the idea of letting your feet just do what they were made to do.
  • Casstevens133
    Casstevens133 Posts: 142 Member
    I do barefoot but it might be painful if you drop weights as someone has already said!! ;)
  • kapot
    kapot Posts: 53
    I run on my treadmill using socks (only because after a while barefoot they burn). Love it.
  • ahviendha
    ahviendha Posts: 1,291 Member
    i workout with no shoes at home, sometimes i had problems gripping the carpet during mountain climbers, but as i kept at it my foot grip got better. it was really weird.
  • devan33
    devan33 Posts: 177 Member
    I completed the 30DS barefoot as well. No issues with feet! :)
  • hummingbird71
    hummingbird71 Posts: 298 Member
    When I have worked out I tried barefoot but found I was slipping too much on the carpet so I started wearing sneakers. I also wear them when I do my weight training but mainly because I want my feet to have "SOME" kind of barrier if I were to drop a weight on them...lol~ Happy Workout!
  • meggawatt
    meggawatt Posts: 145 Member
    I do Tea-Bo DVD's in my living room, it's carpeted so I usually end up slipping at some point. I purchased a pair of 5 Finger shoes and never slip anymore! I'm a huge fan of being barefoot, so I wear them everywhere. Running in the 5 Finger shoes can be a little tricky though and probably isn't a good idea.
  • Frank_Just_Frank
    Frank_Just_Frank Posts: 454 Member
    You're doing this at home, so you should do it however you're comfortable.
  • gsmithnp
    gsmithnp Posts: 139 Member
    dropping handweights on your tootsies would hurt though!

    Yeah, but unless one is working out in steel-toed workboots that would hurt anyway!

    I do most of my workouts barefoot, but do wear shoes when I do the elliptical because it has treads for traction and those hurt my feet. Feels like walking on rocks!
  • Ellealie
    Ellealie Posts: 17
    I've been doing the 30DS barefoot, but in the past I've typically worn shoes while working out to videos. I'll be doing insanity next and I was thinking I probably shouldn't do it barefoot. We'll see.

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