Barefoot trainers are really a compromise to running barefoot and running with specially formed running shoes that fit the contours of your feet. What makes them different from normal trainers is they have individual sections for each toe. Imagine a glove with individual ‘sleeve’s for each finger, with barefoot trainers there are individual ‘sleeves’ for each toe.
Why would anyone sacrifice the real comfort of branded trainers like say Nike to start exercising or training barefoot or nearly barefoot with barefoot trainers?
Well, Nike, of all companies discovered from their research that, “a foot sans shoe makes more natural contact with the ground. Without confinement, the foot moves freely, pressure is evenly dispersed among the foot bones and toe muscles contract to grip the ground—incorporating more muscles throughout the rest of the body”.
When you get home from work or college the first thing most of do after opening the door is take of the shoes or boots. We feel more relaxed and comfortable walking around our home without shoes or barefoot. On a humrous note, have you ever seen a dog, cat, or any animal that needs to wear shoes or footwear to walk around?
To make the transition to barefoot training, start out on a flat cushioned surface such as carpet or cushioned tiled flooring. If outside, look for a grassy area free of small stones and debris. You’ll find the experience liberating.
No major conflict with common sense. But how do you protect your feet from sharp objects, rough terrain, tough tarmac, razor sharp blades of grass?
One of the leading products for barefoot trainers is the Vibram FiveFingers collection of training shoes which give atheletes the closet experience to training barefoot without actually training barefoot by protecting the sole of the foot and providing a footed grip. And, like Nike, the Vibram barefoot trainer are heavily into design.
If you want to experience barefoot training you try out barefoot trainers. They look odd but you soon get use to them.
Guest Post: Tim McGuire
