Barefoot / Minimalist Running?

TheDudette
TheDudette Posts: 173 Member
edited December 18 in Fitness and Exercise
Has anyone gotten into this? I've rescently started nude-footing it on my home treadmill and it has not only improved my stride immensely, but it has also reduced any knee or lower back pain I used to get after long hard runs. I'm also less tired. I'm debating getting some minimalist sneakers and am wondering what people think of them.

Thoughts?

Replies

  • Bumdrahp
    Bumdrahp Posts: 1,314 Member
    Really??! I would think it would hurt your back more. But hey we are all different! Go for it, If i had a treadmill I would try it out. But nope.. just this dreaded bike I hate so much.. that thing hurts/ numbs the hell out of my *kitten*!
  • TheDudette
    TheDudette Posts: 173 Member
    I call the stationary bikes at my gym the cooter bruisers.
  • Bumdrahp
    Bumdrahp Posts: 1,314 Member
    rotffff!!! They really are!! **** hurts!
  • SkyMusic
    SkyMusic Posts: 43
    I'm a barefoot runner when I run on dirt or grass. But most of the time I'm running cement, treadmill, or on rocky trails. I use the Virbams Five Fingers minimalist running shoes and I LOVE them so much! They give you the same feeling as barefoot running but also shield your feet from sharp objects and you can wear them into restaurants and such :)
  • StephD1185
    StephD1185 Posts: 46 Member
    I got some Vibram five-finger shoes for my birthday last year because I love being barefoot but always ruin my pedicure :) I am starting C25K next week and was toying with wearing those shoes. I am not a runner by any stretch of the imagination so I am not sure if starting out with minimalist shoes would be a bad idea. I'd love any suggestions if any barefoot/minimalist runners have some!
  • DG_Allen
    DG_Allen Posts: 219 Member
    I haven't tried it but it sure seems live everyone who does likes it a lot.

    Are you running on your forefoot now w/o the shoes?? I am training myself to run on my forefoot and it's reduced my knee pain a lot.
  • TheDudette
    TheDudette Posts: 173 Member
    I haven't tried it but it sure seems live everyone who does likes it a lot.

    Are you running on your forefoot now w/o the shoes?? I am training myself to run on my forefoot and it's reduced my knee pain a lot.


    I'm working on forefoot running, but it's harder than it seems to change your stride that much.
  • Kincar
    Kincar Posts: 601 Member
    My husband has the Vibrams Five Fingers. They bothered one of his Achilles at first because he didn't ease into running with them as he should have. Since then he's loved them. He said his stride feels very natural and running is easier on his body.

    HTH.
  • malins2
    malins2 Posts: 154 Member
    I wouldn't recommend running barefoot or with minimalist shoes unless you are landing on your forefoot. Running with a heel strike requires shock absorbing shoes or you'll end up getting even more hurt.
  • PeachyPlum
    PeachyPlum Posts: 1,243 Member
    HOW do you learn to run on your forefoot? I just can't do it. When I try, I run like that 80 year old guy you see running in your town. You all know the one. You see him and you think "You GO, buddy. I hope I'm able to run when I'm 80. But not all shuffling like that."

    I'm toying with meeting with a physical therapist. I am tearing my knees UP doing C to 5k.
  • malins2
    malins2 Posts: 154 Member
    HOW do you learn to run on your forefoot? I just can't do it. When I try, I run like that 80 year old guy you see running in your town. You all know the one. You see him and you think "You GO, buddy. I hope I'm able to run when I'm 80. But not all shuffling like that."

    I'm toying with meeting with a physical therapist. I am tearing my knees UP doing C to 5k.
    I take classes and watch tutorial clips on youtube :) Couldn't figure out by myself how to do it properly!
    Edit: And I am still working on it, I think it takes a lot of practice!
  • TheDudette
    TheDudette Posts: 173 Member
    HOW do you learn to run on your forefoot? I just can't do it. When I try, I run like that 80 year old guy you see running in your town. You all know the one. You see him and you think "You GO, buddy. I hope I'm able to run when I'm 80. But not all shuffling like that."

    I'm toying with meeting with a physical therapist. I am tearing my knees UP doing C to 5k.

    Practice is the best answer I can give. I'm working really hard on it, but it's hard especially when you're tired and it's harder to concentrate. The barefoot running on the few runs I do on my treadmill every week help because, as stated by someone in an earlier post, it's not pleasant to land on your heals barefoot.
  • mfreeby
    mfreeby Posts: 199 Member
    You might want to try the Nike Free Run shoes - same idea but not quite as extreme as the Vibrams I think. I got some and my arch pain disappeared!!! First time ever.
  • tenunderfour
    tenunderfour Posts: 429 Member
    The other thing to keep in mind is that regular running shoes actually encourage heel striking because of the way they are built. The heels are higher relative to the forefoot.

    I used to be a terrible heel striker. I wore stability shoes and orthotics because I thought my problem was over-pronation. I had chronic shin pain. Last October, I switched to minimalist shoes. I wear Brooks Pure Connects. I worked for a few weeks on my stride.... found it was MUCH easier to hit mid-foot instead of on my heel. I ran a full marathon in my new shoes a month after I got them. My shin pain is gone. And I'm now a mid-foot striker.

    Don't worry about the fore-foot. Many sprinters are forefoot strikers. If you are a distance runner - work on midfoot.
  • zombiesama
    zombiesama Posts: 755 Member
    I run in Brooks Pureconnect! they are awesome
  • spazofthedead
    spazofthedead Posts: 175 Member
    I used to be a terrible heel striker. I wore stability shoes and orthotics because I thought my problem was over-pronation. I had chronic shin pain. Last October, I switched to minimalist shoes. I wear Brooks Pure Connects. I worked for a few weeks on my stride.... found it was MUCH easier to hit mid-foot instead of on my heel. I ran a full marathon in my new shoes a month after I got them. My shin pain is gone. And I'm now a mid-foot striker.

    Don't worry about the fore-foot. Many sprinters are forefoot strikers. If you are a distance runner - work on midfoot.

    This is me exactly. My entire life I was told I had overpronation and arch issues. Turns out it was the damn shoes the whole time. Got my Vibrams a couple of months ago, worked up to doing Couch 2 5k in them and my issues have all but disappeared and running is *fun* again.

    I still tend to want to land on my forefoot sometimes though. I like to sprint.
  • TheDudette
    TheDudette Posts: 173 Member
    The other thing to keep in mind is that regular running shoes actually encourage heel striking because of the way they are built. The heels are higher relative to the forefoot.

    I used to be a terrible heel striker. I wore stability shoes and orthotics because I thought my problem was over-pronation. I had chronic shin pain. Last October, I switched to minimalist shoes. I wear Brooks Pure Connects. I worked for a few weeks on my stride.... found it was MUCH easier to hit mid-foot instead of on my heel. I ran a full marathon in my new shoes a month after I got them. My shin pain is gone. And I'm now a mid-foot striker.

    Don't worry about the fore-foot. Many sprinters are forefoot strikers. If you are a distance runner - work on midfoot.

    Good to know, thank you!
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