Los Angeles Personal Trainer

Hi Lalo,

This may sound unconventional but I do my workouts barefoot because I find that I have more control and balance without shoes. Being barefoot also helps me "feel my feet". How important it is to wear shoes when working out? If so, what would be the appropriate type of shoes to wear?

I am also wondering if you could tell me where you got those awesome "feet glove" shoes (not sure what they're called) that you're wearing in the photo of you working out with the kettle bell. They look so comfortable! Would they be appropriate for working out on hard surfaces or are they just for use on the beach?

Thanks for your time!
E

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I like unconventional, and that’s actually one of the keys to gaining results! Working out without shoes, mmm… I could go on for a long time on this subject but I’ll keep it short. Training barefoot is actually how Arnold Schwarzenegger used to workout and that’s how we all should be working out. We have to remember, we are animals and our bodies were designed to walk, run, swim and climb without equipment (unless, of course, you’re doing something like football). Now, here’s the big dilemma: should people start doing all these activities barefoot because I say it’s healthier? Probably not, or should I say…not yet?

Our feet have been inside this “cast” or shoe for years and to make things worst, every time we buy shoes or sneakers we often choose the coolest style or color. Because our feet are used to being supported by our shoes, it could actually be dangerous to just jump right into training barefoot without a transition period. To start working out tomorrow barefoot would be like breaking a leg, having a cast for a few months and then going for a run the day the cast is removed; we have to start slow.

Most imbalances in our bodies start with our feet. When you train barefoot, your feet, calves and ankles get stronger, your balance as well as your posture improves tremendously, and your feet become more “injury resistant”. We also become more connected to our bodies. I see a lot of people that feel and walk awkward when they are barefoot – that shouldn’t be the case, yet at the same time, I don’t blame them because they’ve had their feet smashed into their shoes for so long - I would feel the same way!

Another benefit of training barefoot is that the more surface that touches the ground or workout equipment, the more muscle fibers are triggered and the more effective your workout is. You can use the same principle to work your upper body. There are bars that are thicker than the regular ones called “Thick Bars”, but that’s a different topic.

If you want to try working out barefoot, start slow and try the Vibram FiveFingers shoes. They are the closest thing to being barefoot and they will protect you from foreign objects from the street or from bacteria at the gym. Yes…it doesn’t matter how fancy your “Fitness Club” is, if you want to go barefoot at the gym, put the Vibrams on! You can use them for training on hard and soft surfaces and much more. Check out a review I did about the Vibram FiveFingers on my Fitness Blog. You should also check out their socks, they’re great for walking around the house.

If you still want to keep using shoes while training, that’s fine with me too, but…go to a Pro-Running shoe store as they are very knowledgeable about their stuff. They will test you for any type of imbalances you may have on your feet and advise you on the shoe that is right for you; no more choosing shoes that match your workout outfit!

Have fun!

Lalo Fuentes, CSCS
Personal Trainer & Lifestyle Coach
Los Angeles, California

You won't believe how many people have asked me about these Italian shoes. The last person who made me write down the name of these shoes was Joey Fatone, who recommended I wrote about it on my blog so the next time I get asked...I will just direct them here. Good idea Joey!

The Five Finger shoes by Vibram are the latest thing for any type of sport you wish you could do barefoot. The first time I saw these shoes was at a Kettlebell workshop with Pavel. Some guy was wearing these so I asked him about them. He told me he goes on long distance runs with them and that he was very happy with the fit and performance. So as soon as I got home I started doing my research on them and finally bought them.

My feedback on them:

These are shoes that will make your toes strong, and since you use your toes for balance, you'll see improvement in your balance by using them.

The bottom of your feet gets stronger and your calf muscles get a workout just by walking around on these. You'll know what I mean the next day.

It helps you with your running posture. As I will write on a future blog. When you run, you're suppose to use the middle of your feet first and then pull back and up firing your hamstrings. It is Not heel toe like a lot of people think, specially if you are sprinting. Wanna try running heel toe on these shoes..? go ahead..These shoes will soon put you on the right position ;-) I make my running athletes wear these if I need to fix their posture.

If you want to buy them, I wouldn't recommend ordering them online, try them at the store. I have a few of these and every now and then I find one fitting slightly different than the previous pair...could be just me.

When you first wear them, do it only for 2 hours and slowing progress. You need to get use to them but soon after, they will feel very comfortable.

I would not run with these on a treadmill until you have test them well on a track or outdoors.

At the beginning, it was a bit uncomfortable but soon after I started to get use to them. Now I wear them anywhere, even on the boat when I go scuba diving, or while doing windsurf or kitesurfing, while going hiking,or just training people. They have great grip.

CONS:
it takes a little time getting use to them.
This is the first shoe you'll have to wash often.

The ones I'm wearing on the cover of LaloFitness are the Sprint.
Let me know how they work for you!

Ps. I will recommend you do your research, people will ask about them...many times.

Lalo Fuentes
Private Trainer, Chef & Lifestyle Coach
Los Angeles, California