Why Barefoot?

So, a lot of clients and trainers are asking, "Why go barefoot?" I believe everybody should go barefoot or "near barefoot" (which is more socially acceptable and safer on the streets) because of two reasons. One, it brings us closer to the earth and the way our ancestors moved. Secondly and more importantly, this helps reinforce a better movement pattern.

Science Alert!-

When someone walks they put 2.5-3 times their body weight on the heel strike with each step. So, Im 200lbs times that by 3 to keep the math simple. This equals 600lbs of force/step. The sedentary person (non-mover) walks 3,000 steps a day. So doing the math that equals 18,000lbs of force a day on my body from walking. That over 12.5 million lbs of force put on my body in a week. Walking is the most loading activity for the body. That doesnt even included jogging, sprinting or sports where you make a lot of sudden cuts and transitions...

Lets take the next step: How do you move? If you move in a inefficient movement pattern then your reinforcing that pattern with all that force. Thats why some of us ache and have structual issues for no "reason". Others have injuries, trauma, ...etc. If this can damage us, then, fixing the movement pattern can help facilitate change in the body. Then as that force is put on the body reinforcing a healthy movement pattern. This will lead to change and moving pain free thru the body. Extra work is needed for specific injuries and such. But, a lot of those can be altered as well. For example, the classical definition of healing means that after two to three years you injuries should be remodeled. Then why does it hurt still a decade later? An negatively altered movement pattern and pain signal.

So, how does this relate to going barefoot or "near barefoot"? If you step and gait are that important we need to have the correct footwear. The shoe should be flexible from the mid-sole to the heel as well as the front half of the shoe (probably not familiar- not since you were a kid and wore Chuck Taylor's). This is not how most shoes are designed. Therefore, most shoes lead to inefficient movement patterns. Are you still with me? If not, I have many examples. I had one training today. A woman who's right foot rotates way out did some barefoot movement work with me. I re-assessed her movement and as she walked towards me I asked her to stop. Look down. Tell me what you see. She saw two feet both pointing straight ahead. She looked up. Looked down. After that, I explained to her what I just explained to you. She put her shoes on so we could workout. After a few minutes I asked her to look down. She did and she saw a right foot turned way out. This is due to the inflexibility of the back half of the shoe. This alters the brains interpretation of where we are in space and time (our 3D movement map).

Taking that to the next step: What shoes should I wear? Look at the post below or just remember- flexible from midsole to heel. Add that to some of our Z movement drills and we will move more efficiently. Maybe some aches and pains related to our movement pattern will go away. Maybe we need to have some specific drills for some issues. The only way to know is come on in for an assessment.

How are you moving?