Ever thought of running barefoot? Adam Smith gives us the lowdown on going shoeless.

Barefoot running is back. The recent shoeless revival is largely thanks to Christopher McDougall’s book, Born to Run, which features a trainer-free tribe of Mexican Indians reputed to be the best distance runners in the world. But is barefoot running for you? What are the benefits, risks and why would you want to do it?


Why Run Barefoot?
Running barefoot is more than just a liberating experience, it’s also a great way to develop calf and foot muscle strength. However, if you suffer from foot problems, barefoot running may best avoided and you should consult a physio or other sports-specialist medical professional before trying it.

The Barefoot Gait
The key to going barefoot is getting your gait right. Heel striking is not an option. Instead, you must land on your forefoot, followed by your heel so most of the impact is taken on your forefoot with your heel lightly kissing the ground after it.

Walk Before You Run
It might surprise you to hear that walking barefoot is much harder than running barefoot, but you should master walking without shoes before upping the pace. The easiest way to achieve a barefoot gait for walking or running is to lean forward a little. This way your centre of gravity takes you off your heels and further forward on your feet.

Start Running
If you’re not a fast runner, you may be pleasantly surprised to find that once you’ve taken your shoes off, you naturally run with a barefoot gait already. However, the faster you run, the longer your strides become and the more likely you are to heel strike. So slow it down, keep your strides under control, lean forward a little and let your feet do the rest.

Take it Easy
It’s important not to overdo it. Walking and running barefoot is a great training aid, but can have a surprising impact on your calves. As with any new exercise, it’s best to build up gradually to prevent injury.

Barefoot Footwear
Although some do, a beginner would be mad to venture out in just bare feet, especially when your soles are likely to be soft from a lifetime of wearing shoes. Fortunately many running shoe brands are introducing ‘minimalist’ shoes, to help get you started. Vibram specialise in this area, their Five Fingers shoes fit like gloves and give you all the freedom and feeling of being barefoot, but without having to suffer sharp stones and other unpleasant things underfoot.

Liberate Your Feet
Running barefoot is a truly invigorating experience and once you’ve experienced it for yourself, wearing cushioned trainers and smashing your heel into a treadmill will never seem the same. With trend quickly gathering momentum, some are saying heel-striking may someday become a thing of the past.

By Adam Smith, a running shoes specialist at www.fitnessfootwear.com home to the UK’s widest range of active lifestyle shoes.

 

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