Curious about other people's experience/preference regarding shoes for strength training

B

Braille

Cathlete
I'm curious as to what kind of footwear (if any) everybody wears for strength training. I've always worn cross trainers for cardio (step, kickboxing, etc.), but tended to just wear socks for strength training. Since I moved, I now have a workout room, but it has carpet and my socks don't "grip" when Cathe has me do body weight exercises (ex. foot slides forward slightly when doing lunges). I really like to give my feet a break from shoes, so I thought I'd compromise and I got a pair of those barefoot shoes (although I wear socks with them lol) on sale through Amazon. I've worn them twice so far, and I think I really like them. Before I get too "hooked" on them, though, I thought I'd ask if anyone has had a bad experience with them or knows of a reason why they wouldn't be a good choice for strength training. They aren't very thick, so they would not be much in the way of protection if I dropped a weight, but I'm not sure any shoe that provided that kind of protection would be bendy enough to do push-ups on the toes, calf raises, and stuff like that. I'm also just curious as to what others wear while strength training. Do you have different footwear for your cardio vs. strength?
 
I too have always used cross trainers for the cardio but I used them for lifting as well. Just recently I had a better idea. I'd been needing new cross trainers. I love arch fit Skechers yet they don't have any cross training shoes. They have lots of walking and running shoes that have a rocking motion built in to propel you forward and those wouldn't work. They do have pickleball shoes. I don't play pickleball but as a court shoe that are better suited to hold your foot flat and they support your feet in all directions including laterally. They have been the perfect solution.
 
I workout barefoot on carpet. I've taken to using a yoga mat when I know a move is going to require wide stances or anything that would possibly make my foot slip while holding a position - usually lunges, side lunges, plie/sumo squats.

If I need to use a high step for stuff like leg press, etc, I'll put a hand towel on top of the step to make it comfortable (no bare skin against the grooves on the top of the high step.)

Cardio is also barefoot. I don't have the standard step with the grooved top so it's not uncomfortable for me to do step work barefoot.
 
I also lift barefoot. I think it has helped build foot strength but I have also noticed my feet are wider now. I actually don't wear shoes much at all so that is probably why they are wider. I also noticed that my plantar fascitis has gone away too. Not sure if that is the reason but I'll take it.
 
I did a poll last September on this - I'll post a link.

I went back to cross-trainers in the fall. This spring I bought those barefoot shoes. I really like them for weight training.

Poll: Foot-wear for Weight Lifting (unlimited choice)

Just for kicks & to fill the void while we await the new series: What footwear do you wear when doing weight-lifting workouts? You can mark as many responses as applicable to you.
cathe.com
 
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Debinmi said:
I did a poll last September on this - I'll post a link.

I went back to cross-trainers in the fall. This spring I bought those barefoot shoes. I really like them for weight training.

Poll: Foot-wear for Weight Lifting (unlimited choice)

Just for kicks & to fill the void while we await the new series: What footwear do you wear when doing weight-lifting workouts? You can mark as many responses as applicable to you.
cathe.com
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Wow! Thanks for the link to the pole - I had no idea so many people work out barefoot. I'd thought it was just me. lol I have circulation issues, and while my body gets warmed up... my feet don't, so I wasn't actually barefoot (had to wear socks). Socks just weren't giving me the "grip" I needed on the carpet I now work out on, so I needed something different. I have a lot of skin sensitivities, so most of the "grippy" socks weren't an option, because they contain fabrics that irritate my skin. I wore cotton socks with my barefoot shoes to make sure my skin didn't get a rash. lol Thank you for the link. :)
 
I admit I primarily workout barefoot because I don't like the idea of shoes tearing up my carpet. Also, 99% of the time I don't wear shoes around the house, period, since I don't like tracking outside dirt around. Was also a habit I took on when I lived in Hawaii for several years. It's customary to remove your shoes before entering someone's home - considered rude to wear shoes inside - I believe it originated from Japanese culture/immigrants.
 
Converse for weight training. I can go bare during weight training but it is not the most confortable for me.
Socks and Sneakers sole are ok for me.
Bare foot for mobility, yoga etc.....

When I do impact I need good pair with cushions. I like good pair of trainers during cardio.

I do not like carpet mainly because of my allergy. Laminate floor is what i prefer.
 
jldx2in2000 said:
I also lift barefoot. I think it has helped build foot strength but I have also noticed my feet are wider now. I actually don't wear shoes much at all so that is probably why they are wider. I also noticed that my plantar fascitis has gone away too. Not sure if that is the reason but I'll take it.
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Hello,

I have not read you julie for years.

Glad to revisit cathe quote in your signature :
"We don't want anything to jiggle; so, just jiggle it off!" - Cathe, High Step Challenge

Yes we don't......Well I do not :D
 
Kellyro77 said:
I admit I primarily workout barefoot because I don't like the idea of shoes tearing up my carpet. Also, 99% of the time I don't wear shoes around the house, period, since I don't like tracking outside dirt around. Was also a habit I took on when I lived in Hawaii for several years. It's customary to remove your shoes before entering someone's home - considered rude to wear shoes inside - I believe it originated from Japanese culture/immigrants.
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I run around barefoot too, and ask that people take their shoes off when entering. It really cuts down on cleaning.
 
nckfitheart2009 said:
I do not like carpet mainly because of my allergy. Laminate floor is what i prefer.
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I don't care for carpet either. The entire home is wood floor and tile, EXCEPT my workout room. lol It's an addition to a brick home, so since it was added later and has no basement under that room... it has a poured concrete floor that the previous owners carpeted. Carpet is probably the best choice for that room, because it's the warmest option for winter (4 season state). I finally have a home with a workout room of my very own, though, so I no longer have fitness equipment tucked and hidden away all over the house, so I'm happy with having the space, even if it is the only room I have to vacuum regularly. lol
 
Braille said:
Carpet is probably the best choice for that room, because it's the warmest option for winter (4 season state). I finally have a home with a workout room of my very own, though, so I no longer have fitness equipment tucked and hidden away all over the house, so I'm happy with having the space, even if it is the only room I have to vacuum regularly. lol
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I live in a 4 season country too, in europe and i totally understand. Our winter does not get very cold below zero. Congratulations on your happiness owning a room. It is a happiness in my bucket list. ;):):)
 
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Yoga/stretching and sometimes weights - no shoes. Cardio I will wear tenni shoes. I wish I could go barefoot more but I had Plantar Fasciitis and cannot go barefoot anymore. I will either wear slippers or flip flops in the house and only wear those in the house, when I go outside I have other flip flops/shoes I will change into.
 
rcsaros said:
Yoga/stretching and sometimes weights - no shoes. Cardio I will wear tenni shoes. I wish I could go barefoot more but I had Plantar Fasciitis and cannot go barefoot anymore. I will either wear slippers or flip flops in the house and only wear those in the house, when I go outside I have other flip flops/shoes I will change into.
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I struggled with P.F. for quite some time, but I found some stretches that helped - I continue to do them for prevention. I also found that wearing Crocs (they have the arch support I need, because I have high arches) in the house for a couple of months helped. I hope yours gets better, because I remember the pain - not fun, and it can get bad enough that it affects your Achilles too. Manufacturer's rarely put proper foot support inserts in shoes anymore, so I've had to purchase inserts (which I switch from shoe to shoe to save money lol), for my out of the house shoes, which seems to have prevented any flare ups. I am back to socks or barefoot in the house. I haven't had issues for a couple of years, so it CAN get better. I hope you find a solution that works for you.
 
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