Please Scroll Down to See Forums Below
napsgear
genezapharmateuticals
domestic-supply
puritysourcelabs
UGL OZ
UGFREAK
napsgeargenezapharmateuticals domestic-supplypuritysourcelabsUGL OZUGFREAK

Shoes and Squatting

S

silent says

New member
Just curious about what type of footwear do you use when squatting?Iv'e noticed alot of people wearing Chuck's (Converse)
or flat shoes that are similiar.Also is it for some type of stability?I know this is a strange Question but curious.
Silent
 
There is probably going to be a few different ideas here.

The idea of using a shoe with a flat sole is to help you keep your weight back on your heel. A high heel will tilt the lifter forward, making the exercise slightly more quad dominant. Also, a soft heel can feel "squishy" under heavy weight.

Personally, I keep my shoes on(Under Armor - Speed? - they have a high soft heel lol) for most sets, but when I get into my heavy sets, the belt goes on, and the shoes come off, barefoot style.


my 2cents
 
Chucks make my feet feel like they're being ripped apart when I squat, they work well for deadlifts though.
 
I usually squat barefoot with a board or a few plates to elevate my heels. Having my heels elevated allows me to go all the way down comfortably.
 
I will tell all you guys using crap foot wear right now you WILL get hurt if you start squatting serious weight. I can attest to this because i just fucked up my patellar tendon (your patella tendon where it connects to the tibia) doing a 1 rep max on squats last week with 570lbs. When you step out of the rack your putting ALL that weight on one foot for a brief moment. I had on my adidas running shoes and not my flat bottom skate board shoes like i usually wear. You need that flat solid base when your moving with close to 3x your bodyweight on your back. Just don't use shitty foot wear guys, chucks are cheap.
 
I'd never squat barefoot. Sure, some old bodybuilders wore them on a TV show for a TV SHOW but cavemen used to do a lot of things differently as well.

OLY Squats: Adidas OLY shoes
Power Squats: Chucks, High tops

Owning Chucks is a MUST. A lot of mid stance squatters still use construction boots.
 
b fold the truth said:
I'd never squat barefoot. Sure, some old bodybuilders wore them on a TV show for a TV SHOW but cavemen used to do a lot of things differently as well.

OLY Squats: Adidas OLY shoes
Power Squats: Chucks, High tops

Owning Chucks is a MUST. A lot of mid stance squatters still use construction boots.
Click to expand...

Remember, the only time this is permissible is when you are wearing cut off jean shorts and a sleeveless flannel. The fanny pack is optional :rainbow:
 
SouthernLord said:
Remember, the only time this is permissible is when you are wearing cut off jean shorts and a sleeveless flannel. The fanny pack is optional :rainbow:
Click to expand...

I train in Flannel in the Winter Months here:)

I also have a "man bag" that I take with me when I travel...lol

Ain't cutting off my jean shorts though!

Actually, quite a lot of powerlifters still squat in construction boots. Hi-Tech Magnums were decent boots for this at one time.
 
This is simple, hard flat soled shoes or.............drum roll............they even sell lifting shoes (which are expensive)
 
I'm glad to see that so many guys are coming along on the idea of working out in skater shoes. By that description I mean a variety of flat soled shoes such as Chuck Taylor's, many Vans shoes, and a few other brands.

I've been working out in a pair of Vans which have basically the same bottom as Chuck Taylor's. I've worked out in Chucks before too and they're great. At the last 2 gyms I've been a member of I see few if any people wearing skate shoes, and I think that may be a mistake for those doing legwork. Skater shoes are cheap, comfortable, and give you a nice wide, stable surface to push off from.

Obviously the needs of each individual may vary a little. But when you can go out and get a pair of shoes for often under $30 bucks (on sale) that provides everything you need in a workout shoe and looks good, for me that's an easy choice.
 
I paid 8 dollars at footlocker outlet for the flat soled umbro's I deadlift and squat in. They are some ugly ass shoes that perform beautifully. Hard flat bottom.......perfect.
 
Jocques Straap said:
There is probably going to be a few different ideas here.

The idea of using a shoe with a flat sole is to help you keep your weight back on your heel. A high heel will tilt the lifter forward, making the exercise slightly more quad dominant. Also, a soft heel can feel "squishy" under heavy weight.

Personally, I keep my shoes on(Under Armor - Speed? - they have a high soft heel lol) for most sets, but when I get into my heavy sets, the belt goes on, and the shoes come off, barefoot style.


my 2cents
Click to expand...

yep bare foot is the way to go for me. no room for error on squats. bare foot is the safest way as far as foot wear goes
 
hightop chucks for squatting, wrestling shoes for deads
 
joe d said:
yep bare foot is the way to go for me. no room for error on squats. bare foot is the safest way as far as foot wear goes
Click to expand...

When I see someone whose paycheck depends on their squat or deadlift perform said lift barefoot...I'll take it into consideration.

Nobody walks on the competitive platform barefoot, for a reason.
 
b fold the truth said:
When I see someone whose paycheck depends on their squat or deadlift perform said lift barefoot...I'll take it into consideration.

Nobody walks on the competitive platform barefoot, for a reason.
Click to expand...

im not a power lifter and i dont do heavy low rep squats so i dont need ankle support. my form is better supported bare foot then with shoes. if i was going for a 1000lb max i would be wrapped tight.
 
Is there a place that sells lifting shoes besides on-line? Dicks sporting goods or athletic express or something? It seems stupid to buy a pair of shoes without trying them on. Just curious.
 
joe d said:
im not a power lifter and i dont do heavy low rep squats so i dont need ankle support. my form is better supported bare foot then with shoes. if i was going for a 1000lb max i would be wrapped tight.
Click to expand...

So essentially...don't worry about form or safety when not doing a max effort?

When your kids are old enough to drive, will you tell them, "if you're just going down the street a mile or so, don't worry about wearing your seatbelt. You don't need to put that on until you get on the freeway."?

I could give many more examples, but your reasoning is very flawed. I've seen and heard of more people getting hurt using warmup weight than max effort weight. Reason? Usually they're not paying attention to form because...hey, this is just warming up!
 
ceo said:
So essentially...don't worry about form or safety when not doing a max effort?

When your kids are old enough to drive, will you tell them, "if you're just going down the street a mile or so, don't worry about wearing your seatbelt. You don't need to put that on until you get on the freeway."?

I could give many more examples, but your reasoning is very flawed. I've seen and heard of more people getting hurt using warmup weight than max effort weight. Reason? Usually they're not paying attention to form because...hey, this is just warming up!
Click to expand...

That is the minor version of my thoughts...lol.

When I squat it will only be in my Chucks for wide stance squatting or my OLY shoes for higher bar squats. OLY shoes don't have ankle support, but some of the best squatters in the World use them to help support their feet as well as their family.
 
i do worry about form. like i said my form is better supported barefoot. if i was going balls ass heave i would wrap my ancles, hnees, and lower back. i think you missunderstood what i wrote.

so all of us barefoot squatters dont know what we are doing huh? lol

you guys should try it one day just so you can actually get an understanding of what it does for you before you pretty much tell me how dumb i am. it is abvious that neither of you have done barefoot squats.
 
Once by mistake I did a heavy set of squats with Nike Shox, it wasn't pretty and I felt quite stupid! The only exercises I do barefoot are for calf training because I have a better ROM like that, oh and deads sometimes.
 
joe d said:
i do worry about form. like i said my form is better supported barefoot. if i was going balls ass heave i would wrap my ancles, hnees, and lower back. i think you missunderstood what i wrote.

so all of us barefoot squatters dont know what we are doing huh? lol

you guys should try it one day just so you can actually get an understanding of what it does for you before you pretty much tell me how dumb i am. it is abvious that neither of you have done barefoot squats.
Click to expand...

Basically you've said nothing to refute my post. It seems you really only worry about safety when you're doing an all out max effort. I wouldn't recommend anyone to do what you do, no.
 
this is getting to be funny. i will try 1 more time to explain my post because you didnt understand it.

safety is my #1 concern. (i have never injured myself in the gym in 6 years). proper form is the key to safety. so when i squat i only do high rep 18+ ass to the floor squats with perfect form. this is easier and more comfortable to me with no shoes at all. i would say the improvement is about 30%. is this safe? of course it is. for me no shoes promotes proper form. now the belt. why wear a belt and sacrafice lower back w/o and limit how low you go if you do not need it? that would be a mistake. now when you go heavy abviously you need more support. but i wouldnt venture to say that makes someone less concerned about safety because they only use the support when its needed. it just doesnt make sence. im all about bb'ing have been for the last 5 years. that is why i have not been injured yet and hopefully wont for a long time.

so if that doesnt clear it up for you then i give up. good luck to you. and dont forget to wear every piece of available gear wraps and all for every lift you do no matter how light just incase a joint decides to give for no reason. :evil: im just messing with you man serously good luck to you.
 
Big_BK said:
How many world records have been sit on squat without shoes?
Click to expand...

ummmm..... :confused: i dont know much about lifting heavy but im going to go with none.


seriously though i could never squat without shoes, stability issues like crazy for me. you need that flat platform to stand on and drive into the floor, not a bone with some flesh over it. I guess if you are doing them light and it works for you then whatever, but i dont recommend anyone tries this.
 
DaveTSI said:
ummmm..... :confused: i dont know much about lifting heavy but im going to go with none.


seriously though i could never squat without shoes, stability issues like crazy for me. you need that flat platform to stand on and drive into the floor, not a bone with some flesh over it. I guess if you are doing them light and it works for you then whatever, but i dont recommend anyone tries this.
Click to expand...

i think i figured it out. i wonder if i am more stable barefoot because the only 2 gyms i go to have that padded floor even in the squat racks and others where you guys are squatting dont? i dont know but any way i am verry stable.
 
I don't own a pair of of actual weight lifting shoes, but they all seem to have an elevated heel. they are not flat like Chuck T's. The idea, from what I know, is that a slightly elevated heel during a squat, will reduce the ROM of the ankle, allow for greater involvement of the quads during the lift. I don't see much difference between squatting in a flat soled shoe, and barefoot, regarding the flat surface to push off. It seems both styles are at a disadvantage, compared to an actual weightlifting shoe.

The other problem is stability. A running shoe, has too much cushioning, resulting in a loss of stability, as well as force being absorbed and not translated to the floor.


If I was a competitor, and was attempting to break world records, then I would buy a good set of weight training shoes Just like if I was a sprinter I would run in track shoes.

I like squatting barefoot because I feel the flat floor makes it easier for me to keep my weight back over my heels. Also, my toes are jacked and feet are jacked. After all these years of wearing shoes all the time. I feel like the muscles in my feet simply don't function as well as they should or could. My little toe is tucked under the other. I feel that wearing shoes in general, reduces the function of the feet and constricts the development of the "feet muscles", tendons, and ligaments, pads. As much as I hate to say it, high heels are probably the worst.

We didn't evolve with shoes on our feet. No other animal that I know of, straps something soft to the sole of their feet. They simply adapt to the stress of the walking/moving. Human feet are a great design for us too. We have these digits that can move in all sorts of directions, can grip things etc. It's too bad that we wrap them so tight all the time, the essentially become a hoof. Which usually is a good thing for an athletic competition.

An easy comparison is between footwear, and a weight belt. Sure, you can lift better and perform better with the proper belt, and the proper footwear, but wearing a weight belt as often as you wear shoes will lead to some core problems.

Since the feet are our base, any issues we have with our feet, can effect(affect?) parts of our bodies further up the chain as well.

Since I have started squatting barefoot on occasion, and going through some mobility warm up exercises barefoot, I feel like my feet have gotten stronger, and that I have better control in the function of my toes, and ankle, as well as increased stability. However it's been less than a year since I started this, and I would say I only do this once per week.

Great you all probably think I'm some crazy barefoot fool. I don't have shoes on right now.
 
joe d said:
this is getting to be funny. i will try 1 more time to explain my post because you didnt understand it.

safety is my #1 concern. (i have never injured myself in the gym in 6 years). proper form is the key to safety. so when i squat i only do high rep 18+ ass to the floor squats with perfect form. this is easier and more comfortable to me with no shoes at all. i would say the improvement is about 30%. is this safe? of course it is. for me no shoes promotes proper form. now the belt. why wear a belt and sacrafice lower back w/o and limit how low you go if you do not need it? that would be a mistake. now when you go heavy abviously you need more support. but i wouldnt venture to say that makes someone less concerned about safety because they only use the support when its needed. it just doesnt make sence. im all about bb'ing have been for the last 5 years. that is why i have not been injured yet and hopefully wont for a long time.

so if that doesnt clear it up for you then i give up. good luck to you. and dont forget to wear every piece of available gear wraps and all for every lift you do no matter how light just incase a joint decides to give for no reason. :evil: im just messing with you man serously good luck to you.
Click to expand...

Who the fuck is talking about a belt? I Thought this thread was about shoes? Who doesn't understand?

I'm not even considering a belt or knee wraps or a suit or whatever other crazy shit you may want to throw on. I am keeping on the topic of shoes. And as for shoes, I think they should be worn. Now granted, whenever I go in to squat, I know I will be squatting heavy. If you are squatting with some light weight you can do multiple sets of 20 with and you're not going up to a heavy set of 4-8 reps, then by all means go barefoot if it turns you on.

But, for most practical purposes, as the heavy squatters who have posted in the thread have all said...wear a good pair of shoes.
 
ceo said:
Who the fuck is talking about a belt? I Thought this thread was about shoes? Who doesn't understand?

I'm not even considering a belt or knee wraps or a suit or whatever other crazy shit you may want to throw on. I am keeping on the topic of shoes. And as for shoes, I think they should be worn. Now granted, whenever I go in to squat, I know I will be squatting heavy. If you are squatting with some light weight you can do multiple sets of 20 with and you're not going up to a heavy set of 4-8 reps, then by all means go barefoot if it turns you on.

But, for most practical purposes, as the heavy squatters who have posted in the thread have all said...wear a good pair of shoes.
Click to expand...

i could go on forever with this lolool.

im done here
 
Serious athletes, the lack of, is what drives people crazy enough to stay far far away from the internet.

It ain't about World Records, Personal Records are MORE than enough for me. You have to be productive to set them.
 
ceo said:
Yes, you are. Because I made it pretty clear, and now I think you understand. Thanks for playing.
Click to expand...


are you sure its not because you keep making the same argument over and over and you still dont even understand that you are arguing against your misinterpretation of my post. you keep wearing the shoes that work for you and keep and ill keep going barefoot with perfect form, no injuries, and a continous track of improvement.

i recomment that every one try squatting bare foot ass to the floor when doing high rep sets and see what it does for you.

deal with it. it works. i am years of proof.
 
joe d said:
looks like arnold needs some of your wisdom
YouTube - Arnold and Ed Carney - Squats

and nick nillson
Proper Squat Technique

here is some info about the many reasons why it is good
Kettlebell and Barefoot Training

enjoy

now im done here
Click to expand...

Wow...Arnold squatting for a movie barefoot. Didn't he also say "Milk is for Babies"?

The article on Critical Bench...even though they squat in some type of work boots or worst case barefoot...every single picture they show is of a guy squatting in squat-specific shoes. The first and 3rd picture he is wearing Chucks. The other two are two guys who train at METAL gym and they are wearing their own special squatting shoes. Those shoes are MADE to help their squat. NOT JUST TO ADD WEIGHT TO THEIR LIFT, but to be a safer lift. If those guys get hurt, they ain't gonna be lifting or putting food on their table. Flat fact: They wouldn't be wearing those shoes if it were not the best choices.

And an article from Men's Health?

It is pretty obvious that you have never done any squatting in a real gym.
 
b fold the truth said:
Wow...Arnold squatting for a movie barefoot. Didn't he also say "Milk is for Babies"?

The article on Critical Bench...even though they squat in some type of work boots or worst case barefoot...every single picture they show is of a guy squatting in squat-specific shoes. The first and 3rd picture he is wearing Chucks. The other two are two guys who train at METAL gym and they are wearing their own special squatting shoes. Those shoes are MADE to help their squat. NOT JUST TO ADD WEIGHT TO THEIR LIFT, but to be a safer lift. If those guys get hurt, they ain't gonna be lifting or putting food on their table. Flat fact: They wouldn't be wearing those shoes if it were not the best choices.

And an article from Men's Health?

It is pretty obvious that you have never done any squatting in a real gym.
Click to expand...

LOL! Couldn't have said it any better.

Arnold was known for his huge legs too! :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

H
running every morning?
Replies
8
Views
830
Ulter
Ulter
Richard Brown
Napsgear This Belt Squat Is BETTER Than Any Machine
Replies
7
Views
218
chesty
chesty
Richard Brown
Napsgear This Belt Squat Is BETTER Than Any Machine
Replies
6
Views
518
ceo
ceo
Richard Brown
Napsgear Barefoot Training: The Secret Weapon for Bigger Squats?
Replies
1
Views
266
SteveMobsterG
SteveMobsterG
Richard Brown
Napsgear Barefoot Training: The Secret Weapon for Bigger Squats?
Replies
6
Views
406
wootoom
wootoom
Top Bottom