Gym Attire

HaileyMarieOlson
HaileyMarieOlson Posts: 6 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Hey guys, I sometimes see real gym-rat type people wearing five-finger toe shoes, but I always thought they looked weird and I know some gyms don't even allow them ...
but seriously ... are they good for working out in? Comfort and support-wise? Testimony from those who have tried them? Thanks!
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Replies

  • nosillanosilla
    nosillanosilla Posts: 42
    I tried them once. My calves were killing me the next few days and I got bad blisters. I haven't talked myself into trying again yet :)
  • ElliottTN
    ElliottTN Posts: 1,614 Member
    I honestly hope they are awesome to offset how incredibly stupid people look wearing them.
  • ElliottTN
    ElliottTN Posts: 1,614 Member
    And interesting observation, in my neck of the woods the gym rats wear old worn out shoes while the hipsters in neon green short shorts are the ones wearing those.
  • JilloftheDead
    JilloftheDead Posts: 296 Member
    the hipsters in neon green short shorts are the ones wearing those.

    I loathe this "neon" fad. Who told the '80's it was ok to come back?
  • The_WoIverine
    The_WoIverine Posts: 367 Member
    I had used them for the longest time and I loved them. Best shoes I've ever wore to the gym. As mentioned before, your calves might get sore, but that'd be the same case if you started walking barefoot for long period of times. And to avoid blisters you need to make sure to buy the proper size and not bigger ones.
  • FatHuMan1
    FatHuMan1 Posts: 1,028 Member
    And interesting observation, in my neck of the woods the gym rats wear old worn out shoes while the hipsters in neon green short shorts are the ones wearing those.


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  • hananah89
    hananah89 Posts: 692 Member
    They work more of your foot and leg muscles than you normally use in something like tennis shoes since you are walking as if barefoot. That is why your calves hurt. That's a good hurt! You just have to slowly break them in since you do use those different muscles.

    I, among many others, use them for weight lifting. They help you use more stabilizer muscles when doing compound lifts like squats.
  • TinGirl314
    TinGirl314 Posts: 430 Member
    They are supposed to simulate barefoot running with a lower chance of injuring your feet. There is literally now support in them though, just a layer of rubber to keep from getting cuts on your feet.

    I can't use them because my doctor said my nuropothy could leave me injured and unaware. :<
  • paleojoe
    paleojoe Posts: 442 Member
    Wear them in the gym all the time... love em. I don't care how they look to other people.
  • astronomicals
    astronomicals Posts: 1,537 Member
    minimalist running if thats your thing...

    close to barefoot lifting if thats your thing... squishy soles are bad for lifting



    sometimes I run in chuck taylors.... sometimes I see people lifting in Asics....

    do your thing..
  • NHLeah
    NHLeah Posts: 48 Member
    I just got in the mail a two toe shoe for my weightlifting and cardio kickboxing routine. I am going to try them out tomorrow to see how I like them. I found them because kickboxing was roughing up my bare feet. I wanted something lightweight that would not slip on the floor.

    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005HGPVWO/ref=oh_details_o01_s01_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
  • acoustictones
    acoustictones Posts: 47
    I have a pair and alternate them in about once or twice a week. My main purpose was due to having arthritis in both of my feet, and these give my feet the extra workout they need. They have done a lot to help strengthen and stretch my feet in ways that a typical shoe could not.

    I don't believe they are for everyone, but they have been very important and helpful for me.
  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member
    They are very good for lifting in as they are flat soled with no compression.
  • sm1zzle
    sm1zzle Posts: 920 Member
    I think they're stupid.


    My plantar fascia would bust into a 1,000 pieces if I wore a pair of those.
  • emirror
    emirror Posts: 842 Member
    I've been thinking of getting some, because I mainly lift. I'd lift in my socks, if I could.
  • clepant
    clepant Posts: 3,546 Member
    It is going back to the way we should have been before being shoved into shoes. It is no different then women wearing 4 inch heels all day and trying to wear flats. Your muscles develop to wear the type of shoes so to wear them you must retrain the muscles. Great for someone who is a heel striker when running. It forces them to run differently.
  • Mia_RagazzaTosta
    Mia_RagazzaTosta Posts: 4,885 Member
    They are very good for lifting in as they are flat soled with no compression.

    +1

    Eta: I only wear them for lifting. I can't run in them.
  • somerisagirlsname
    somerisagirlsname Posts: 467 Member
    I can't use them. I gots a webbed toesie.
  • Adw7677
    Adw7677 Posts: 201 Member
    I had them. It was really comfy having my toes separated - like they're meant to be. But then I hurt my knees and stopped jogging for awhile. Didn't feel like breaking back into the toe shoes.

    FWIW, I think Fila has a 4-toed option. The last 2 toes are together as one. For the 5 minutes that I tried them on, they were more comfortable. I have short, stubby pinky toes.
  • Stage14
    Stage14 Posts: 1,046 Member
    I can't stand wearing them, but I understand the appeal. I lift in jazz shoes for the same "minimalist" feel. When I was wearing tennis shoes, I found myself constantly pitching onto my toes. The lack of cushion gels to stabilize me for squats and dead lifts.
  • corridor7f
    corridor7f Posts: 17
    They can be, but they aren't for everyone, especially if you're running in them. If you're curious, I'd suggest transitioning to them slowly from "regular" shoes.
  • Joreanasaurous
    Joreanasaurous Posts: 1,384 Member
    the hipsters in neon green short shorts are the ones wearing those.

    I loathe this "neon" fad. Who told the '80's it was ok to come back?

    I love my neon pink pants. I can wear them with my neon yellow shirt and feel like I belong on the 80s ski slopes.
  • jennifer_417
    jennifer_417 Posts: 12,344 Member
    Some people find them very comfortable but I've heard that podiatrists and chiropractors say they are bad for you.
  • RunnerElizabeth
    RunnerElizabeth Posts: 1,091 Member
    I do my strength training at home barefoot. If it ever works into my running schedule to do a formal lifting program, I'd probably use a minimalist shoe for that, though not the 5 fingers because they do look weird to me.

    I am not a hipster, but I'm all about the neon for running. I feel that neon is keeping me from becoming road pizza, and even if it goes out of style I'll keep wearing my hot pink running fleece for safety.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    I'm at the gym 6-7 days a week.

    I work out 5-6 days a week- and I'm usually doing 4-5 lift session and 2-3 HIIT sessions.

    I LOVE my vibrams- you must get used to them- you can't just jump in full force both feet- you'll wind up with sore achilles/calves and possible blisters (as noted above)

    I LOVE 5 fingers- yes they look weird- but you get used to it- I own 2 pairs- and 3 pairs of socks. favorite thing ever. I wish I could train in them constantly- I feel SO much more stable than before- better for squatting- DLing- burpees- push ups- box jumps- whatever- Love them.

    Find them on sale and give them a try.
  • KANGOOJUMPS
    KANGOOJUMPS Posts: 6,474 Member
    I love them
  • happysherri
    happysherri Posts: 1,360 Member
    They probably work better if you wear pasties and a thong! LOL

    Have never worn them.
  • HaileyMarieOlson
    HaileyMarieOlson Posts: 6 Member
    Thanks for the info guys :) are there special socks to go with them as well?
  • The_WoIverine
    The_WoIverine Posts: 367 Member
    Thanks for the info guys :) are there special socks to go with them as well?

    Vibram five fingers sell socks for those shoes
  • Escape_Artist
    Escape_Artist Posts: 1,155 Member
    I have a couple of pairs.. one for lifting, one for casual wear when I wanna be comfy, one for when I get a brain fart and feel like doing some cardio (ie running) I have a pair for trails and a pair for winter.

    Wouldn't go back to lifting in regular shoes. I would rather go barefoot but my gym would kick me out.
    FiveFingers were a good alternative :laugh:

    As for socks, the only ones I wear socks in are the winter ones.

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