Fitness Videos - Do you wear shoes or go barefoot?

I'm an oddball and hate shoes (I'm so happy sandal weather is here!). So I always exercise barefoot when doing my daily videos at home. But I'm starting to get pain in the muscle BENEATH my calf, in one leg. I'm wondering if this is because of all the impact?

I am currently doing daily pilates, yoga and the 30 Day Shred. 30DS is the only new element to my exercise routine (I'm on day 12), which is a mix of cardio and strength.

What do you guys think?

that question was asked on jillian's podcast (re 30 Day Shred) and she said to please wear shoes because it will be easier on your ankles and joints.
pilates and yoga without shoes. yes, of course!

festivus, i too loathe shoes and so did my first 9 days of 30DS without shoes.

ooouchie, both my ankles (the front attaching the top of my foot to my calf) hurt with every step i take. i've now started wearing my shoes and can feel a big difference when working out, though when i wear flats, i am still getting some of the flashes.

WOW! i was gonna post this question earlier this morning, but decided against it, although, i was just going to ask how people prefer.

It really depends for me; I do weight training with shoes on, i feel more stable. I so some cardio with shoes on also, but when i get a bit hot, i take them off to cool down slightly. I've not had any pains; prehaps check your form and make sure you're doing it all best you can.

Shoes provide both stability (to prevent injury) and cushioning (to prevent too much impact/shock on joints). You can replace the cushioning part with a well-carpeted floor or yoga mat, but the stability part is important.

If you're interested in doing a total body workout without shoes, you might check out the Yoga Booty Ballet series...they recommend you do their cardio without shoes, and it doesn't have any jumpy/high impact stuff that will hurt joints (unlike 30DS...IMO, doing a jumping jack without appropriately stabilizing shoes is just asking for an injury).

I tried 30DS without shoes once, and my feet and legs KILLED me for a week. Never again!

Ok, so I'm not completely weird. I'll try it with shoes tomorrow! Although I'm not looking forward to the icky hot feet feeling.

I hate shoes too but...

About 10 years ago, I used to do exercise videos at home and never wore shoes. I didn't do any high impact exercises but low/medium impact. 30DS does have some high impact moves.

I woke up one day and couldn't sit up as the pain was so severe. It took me 30 minutes to be able to deal with the pain to sit up. I slowly and painfully drove myself to urgent care. I got a cortisone shot and some pain meds. I ended up seeing a chiropractor which helped. That was the last time I did an exercise video without shoes.

I hate shoes too but...

About 10 years ago, I used to do exercise videos at home and never wore shoes. I didn't do any high impact exercises but low/medium impact. 30DS does have some high impact moves.

I woke up one day and couldn't sit up as the pain was so severe. It took me 30 minutes to be able to deal with the pain to sit up. I slowly and painfully drove myself to urgent care. I got a cortisone shot and some pain meds. I ended up seeing a chiropractor which helped. That was the last time I did an exercise video without shoes.

:( Oh my goodness! That's terrible!

I have been exercising barefoot for a while but have noticed I don't balance as well and my ankle joints suffer!

So today was the second day of wearing shoes for the 30DS, and it really did make a difference! Especially all of the plan position stuff. Thanks for the advice guys!

It depends on which workout I'm doing.
If I'm doing the Hip Hop Abs, which is a standing routine with a lot of leg lifts and such, I'll wear my jazz-sneakers.
If I'm doing my Denise Austins or Bellydance workouts I usually do it in my socks.

Yeah, I tend to wear just socks when I do my DVDs which is not good. Trying to convert myself over to doing it right with shoes.

I always am barefoot around the house, but I have very high arches, and I wouldn't dream of exercising without shoes.

I would think that exercising would put a strain on a barefeet, even with walking in place. Just my opinion, though.

Ok you guys convinced me... next 30DS i'm wearing shoes!
Reading this thread I went "so THAT'S why my ankles have been killing me"
:(

Im 200+ lbs. I've taken yoga, pilates, african dance, and modern...all in my bare feet. Most of the videos I've used at home I've done in my bare feet. I did a day of 30SD without shoes and that was the first time that I've ever felt pain in my arches. It was also the first time that I had an issue with my new. I went to the store and bought arch supports for my shoes and a flexible knee brace. I also did arch exercises and calf exercises. Im good now. I hate working out in shoes, but I'll put up with it to keep the pain away.

Well, let me add to the list of folks with those mysterious ankle pains. I had the same thought the other day and wondered if I should be wearing sneakers. So I will from now on.

What is a decent, affordable brand of shoes? I have no athletic shoes at all - I don't care for them as casual wear. I have great feet and arches, but weak knees. I don't want to mess up the one or harm the other further.

I've been working out barefoot, but don't want to start having problems.

I used to only wear shoes when absolutely necessary (like for step videos) but I started wearing them for all workouts at home, and was surprised to find that some things were a lot easier to do! I still love when the video is over and I get to take them off, though. :)

What is a decent, affordable brand of shoes? I have no athletic shoes at all - I don't care for them as casual wear. I have great feet and arches, but weak knees. I don't want to mess up the one or harm the other further.

I've been working out barefoot, but don't want to start having problems.

Personally, I wear really cheap shoes for exercising at home (on carpet, but with some high impact and step). It's a pair of cross trainers that I think I picked up at Payless! They probably cost 1/10 what my running shoes did. :lol: I have genetically injury-prone feet, but this works for me. I'd say whatever brand fits you the best is the best one... and you may want to invest in some good quality athletic socks, too, because sweaty feet in cotton socks are no fun.

I've never worn shoes when exercising but now I think I will. :(

It completely depends on WHAT exercise you are doing.

YOGA-barefoot

PILATES-barefoot

WALKING VIDEOS-shoes

TREADMILL-shoes

AEROBICS OF ANY SORT-shoes

BELLY DANCE or HULA DANCE-barefoot

STRENGTH TRAINING-shoes

MARTIAL ARTS-barefoot


You wear shoes when what you are doing has impact. As a general guide, if you are using weights or any type of machine, or aerobics-wear shoes. If you are doing a specialty workout-use your instructor as a guide. If they are wearing shoes-wear shoes, if they are barefoot, then it is safe to be as well.

If i am doing pilates i rather be barefooted its easy to manipulate or to do pilates with out any shoes at all. i have a video in youtube doing pilates just type in How to Get A Pilates Body in 10 Minutes enjoy! this might helo you out too.

Cheers,

Erin

like me, I purchased a set of those foam floor tiles that fit together like a puzzle. They are 5/8 in thick, and bright purple! I love them! Lots of cushion for, and surprisingly, they offer some stability because you sink in just enough to keep you stable, but you can also turn on a dime without slipping. In fact, I like these because if I am doing kickboxing, or have to "twist" my feet in any way, my feet don't grab the floor like I do in shoes, so there's less chance of twisting and ankle.

I wear my shoes when exercising with my DVDs or Wii.

I workout without shoes too! Even when I should be wearing them for certain workouts...I hate for my feet to feel hot...

Just a reminder...if you do barefoot activity such as aerobics, step aerobics, weights, walking dvds, kickboxing, and other things that are meant to be done with shoes...you are risking injury. The padded floor squares do not support your knees, ankles, or the arches of the feet. Please proceed with caution...even more important if you are still overweight. (More weight on those arches, knees, and ankles.

I would hate to see someone end up with foot/knee/back issues for life, simply because they don't put on shoes. You won't realize the damage until it's already done and possibly too late.

I always wear shoes for aerobics type exercising, but will go barefoot for yoga and pilates. HTH

i would have immediately answered "shoes!" but (timely!) i just read this article, posted by a friend on facebook. found it fascinating.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/moslive/article-1170253/The-painful-truth-trainers-Are-expensive-running-shoes-waste-money.html

it might be that exercising barefoot is actually much, much better for you than wearing shoes (even with high impact!) but if you've been wearing shoes your whole life, taking them off to start a running program will cause overwear injuries.

jury's still out for me, for now...but it's interesting to think about. much like the food industry took something that worked and commercialized it (food) into poison, the fitness industry may have also taken something that works (human anatomy) and commercialized it to the point where it does more harm than good. i don't know...

This is comparing apples and oranges, in my opinion. For your feet and ankles to gain the strength that they would need to safely run marathons and do high impact aerobics without shoes...you would need to be going barefoot pretty much all day, all of the time, while you do everything...at work, at the store, etc. etc. etc.

On the other hand, in countries where shoes are not readily available-lots of health risks and even deaths can be attributed to this...so I don't think that the shoe industry has an evil hidden plot...unless you are talking about some of the ridiculous designer shoes that cost $1000 or more for a pair of heels...

For most people here, however, we are talking about people who wear shoes to work, when going out, etc....but are choosing NOT to wear shoes during the activity that is putting them the most at risk for injury.

I am a barefoot all the time. I have every sandal imaginable. I'll only wear shoes when the weather won't allow me to do otherwise.

I've been doing the Shred without shoes but will try it tonight and see how I feel.

I'm a barefoot girl 100% in every aspect of the way. I tried to do the 30-Day Shred with shoes and almost died. I could barely do any of the moves so I had to kick them off just to be able to keep up. I've always worked out barefoot and never had any problems. I guess this is another one of those "To Each His Own" moment. You have to find out what works best for you.

Good luck to all of you with your exercise regime and keep it movin'! ;)

I wear shoes when I exercise because I do a lot of running. But in the past year or so I've really started to enjoy going barefoot outside in the yard and feeling the grass underneath my feet. Good Stuff!

I do the 30DS barefoot. I love working out barefoot. Plus, as someone mentioned above, barefoot impact exercise, particularly running, is starting to get a big scientific/medical following. There are a lot of articles about it (google 'barefoot running).

From one published in a sports science journal came these two conclusions:


• Running in shoes appears to increase the risk of ankle sprains, either by decreasing awareness of foot position or by increasing the twisting torque on the ankle during a stumble.

• Running in shoes appears to increase the risk of plantar fasciitis and other chronic injuries of the lower limb by modifying the transfer of shock to muscles and supporting structures.