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Barefoot squatting is safe and easy compared to barefoot running. Running imposes stresses of 3x body weight, which is a lot more than most people can squat. As

Barefoot squatting is safe and easy compared to barefoot running. Running imposes stresses of 3x body weight, which is a lot more than most people can squat. As a person who got a runner's fracture using barefoot-style footwear, I still use them for weightlifting because the added control is important there and the forces are actually less.

arcticbull 7y ago
People with running shoes tend to heel-strike increasing the amount of force dissipated into your joints. People who run barefoot tend to forefoot-strike, distributing a lot more of the impact into the calf muscle instead. The calf is also naturally springier than the cartilage, which makes it easier to run also -- and calf muscle grows back, cartilage much less so.
- comicjk 7y ago
  My runner's fracture is in the forefoot, just where I was supposed to land. Take my word for it, it's not a complete protection. I agree that you don't want a whole lot of foam between you and the ground under any circumstances, but you can run with good form in many kinds of shoes.
  - arcticbull 7y ago
    Runner's fractures in the fore-foot were something that came up when I was researching running with toe-shoes. You're definitely right that it's a risk. I've heard of it mostly happening when people don't ramp up slowly, as bones, like muscles, become stronger when you use them [1]. Switching to Vibrams and then running further and harder than usual may well cause stress fractures, though I think that has to do with the changeover from cushioned shoes, not intrinsic to the shoe or running style -- it's common for many folks in Latin America and Africa to run barefoot by default without higher incidence of fractures. [1] http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/bonehealth/conditioninfo/activity http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/bonehealth/conditioni...
ulisesrmzroche 7y ago
Chuck Tees are the official squat shoe. Anything else is blasphemous.
- SketchySeaBeast 7y ago
  https://www.roguecanada.ca/adidas-powerlift-4-mens-core-black-carbon-core-black https://www.roguecanada.ca/adidas-powerlift-4-mens-core-blac... While you wanna dead in low heel, hard sole shoes, I find that an elevated heel helps with depth, and that's not blasphemy, that's personal preference.
  - whalesalad 7y ago
    I have a pair of Nike Romaleo’s that are collecting dust. Can’t imagine ever wearing them again. I miss the feeling of the hard sole doing cleans but the toe box is just so tight. I would definitely not do deadlifts with an elevated heel. If you struggle with depth, I would address that muscle tightness issue.
  - ulisesrmzroche 7y ago
    Adidas? You serious? Why? No on elevated. Definitely not lifting heavy then.
    - SketchySeaBeast 7y ago
      You have no idea what you're talking about. Look at these pictures: https://9for9media.com/10-burning-powerlifting-questions-2018/ https://9for9media.com/10-burning-powerlifting-questions-201... With the exception of Ray, everyone is squatting wearing shoes with a lifted heel.
      - ulisesrmzroche 7y ago
        It’s a common lifting joke, you nerd This is I what I get? Look, guy, you need a little heel height if you got some messed up rusty hips, stiff ankles, or some mobility problem. I’m not like that. If you really think you have to wear a little higher heel because it makes your numbers better, then yeah, I suppose I forgot I'm on HN

arcticbull 7y ago

People with running shoes tend to heel-strike increasing the amount of force dissipated into your joints. People who run barefoot tend to forefoot-strike, distributing a lot more of the impact into the calf muscle instead. The calf is also naturally springier than the cartilage, which makes it easier to run also -- and calf muscle grows back, cartilage much less so.

comicjk 7y ago
My runner's fracture is in the forefoot, just where I was supposed to land. Take my word for it, it's not a complete protection. I agree that you don't want a whole lot of foam between you and the ground under any circumstances, but you can run with good form in many kinds of shoes.
- arcticbull 7y ago
  Runner's fractures in the fore-foot were something that came up when I was researching running with toe-shoes. You're definitely right that it's a risk. I've heard of it mostly happening when people don't ramp up slowly, as bones, like muscles, become stronger when you use them [1]. Switching to Vibrams and then running further and harder than usual may well cause stress fractures, though I think that has to do with the changeover from cushioned shoes, not intrinsic to the shoe or running style -- it's common for many folks in Latin America and Africa to run barefoot by default without higher incidence of fractures. [1] http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/bonehealth/conditioninfo/activity http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/bonehealth/conditioni...

ulisesrmzroche 7y ago

Chuck Tees are the official squat shoe. Anything else is blasphemous.

SketchySeaBeast 7y ago
https://www.roguecanada.ca/adidas-powerlift-4-mens-core-black-carbon-core-black https://www.roguecanada.ca/adidas-powerlift-4-mens-core-blac... While you wanna dead in low heel, hard sole shoes, I find that an elevated heel helps with depth, and that's not blasphemy, that's personal preference.
- whalesalad 7y ago
  I have a pair of Nike Romaleo’s that are collecting dust. Can’t imagine ever wearing them again. I miss the feeling of the hard sole doing cleans but the toe box is just so tight. I would definitely not do deadlifts with an elevated heel. If you struggle with depth, I would address that muscle tightness issue.
- ulisesrmzroche 7y ago
  Adidas? You serious? Why? No on elevated. Definitely not lifting heavy then.
  - SketchySeaBeast 7y ago
    You have no idea what you're talking about. Look at these pictures: https://9for9media.com/10-burning-powerlifting-questions-2018/ https://9for9media.com/10-burning-powerlifting-questions-201... With the exception of Ray, everyone is squatting wearing shoes with a lifted heel.
    - ulisesrmzroche 7y ago
      It’s a common lifting joke, you nerd This is I what I get? Look, guy, you need a little heel height if you got some messed up rusty hips, stiff ankles, or some mobility problem. I’m not like that. If you really think you have to wear a little higher heel because it makes your numbers better, then yeah, I suppose I forgot I'm on HN