Jump on the right trend and give your workout a strong
foundation.
On a standard gym-goer's checklist shaker bottles, lifting
belts and iPods get plenty of love. What's often overlooked is what's on their
feet which is ironic since lifting shoes should be one of the first things
checked off the list!
THE BENEFITS OF THE RIGHT SHOES
Lifting shoes are a bodybuilder's dream come true. They are
specifically designed with a lifter in mind. When I first heard about lifting
shoes I thought "These aren't necessary, how much of a difference can they
actually make." It wasn't until I started doing research into them that I
started to see the benefits to wearing them. A huge benefit is the ability to
activate more muscle and recruit more fibers. These shoes allow you to push
through the floor much easier, which will allow you to produce more force
during a lift. When you work out, especially during leg exercises you have to
be driving through the heels. It is very hard to drive force through the heel
in running shoes. The sole does not support that. Lifting shoes can help you to
feel sturdier during heavy squats, deadlifts and any other free compound lift.
These shoes were not designed to be worn during cardio or
for machine work. You will see no benefit using them while doing any machine
exercises, even leg presses.
Hard sole, flat thin shoe, wrestling shoes or barefoot,
which are ideal for lifting weights?
WHAT’S TRENDING IN FOOTWEAR?
The current trend in footwear seems to be the use of squat
shoes. A good trend for any lifter because you can hit new PRs in them. Squat
shoes have been around for years and now have made a comeback. Reebok and
Crossfit can take credit for this new trend.
If your budget allows, pick up a pair of good lifting shoes.
If you budget is tight I recommend picking up a pair of converse to lift in.
After trying it for a couple of weeks, you will thank me.
My Top 3 Lifting Shoes
Nike Romaleos
These shoes are probably the best when it comes to support
and comfort. They have got a hard sole which is ideal for anyone who trains
with mostly free weights. They are also the most fashionable, coming in a
variety of colors and designs. These can cost you a pretty penny, so shop
around for them.
Adidas adiPower
Similar to the Nike Romaleos these shoes also have a hard
sole and come in a variety of colors. However these are lower to the ground
then the Nike's. The heel is shorter but both will provide you with comfort and
will allow you to generate the force you need.
Converse All-Stars
Cheap, simple and effective. These shoes get the job done
and come in a variety of colors. These shoes are very light and versatile; they
can be used during the whole workout as opposed to the other two options that
should only be worn during big compound movements. These shoes will run you
around $50 and are well worth the investment. If you’re tight on money give
these a try.
My Bottom 3 Lifting Shoes
Nike Free Runs
This shoe is designed to allow for a more comfortable run.
This shoe has plenty of cushion for the impact of running. Problem is that this
shoe will cause uneven pressure when you try to push through your heels. The
flexible bottom will allow your foot to wiggle, which will cause you to lose
stability.
Air Jordans
As awesome as these sneakers are, they were designed for
basketball. Similar to the free runs these shoes will won't allow you to
generate as much force as you could with a squat shoe.
Barefoot Shoes
Lots of people use these for lifting. These shoes will
actually allow you to generate the amount of force you need, problem is these
shoes have no protection for your feet. If you happen to drop a weight plate,
there is no padding to absorb some of the impact. You can cause severe damage
to your foot if a mishap occurs.
THE FOOT FAD
Hundreds of companies are cashing in on the lifting shoe
trend. Do these shoes truly make a difference? Are they worth the money? These
shoes have become more of a fashion statement then a useful tool. In my gym I
overhear guys talking about the shoes they are wearing. I have even seen people
change shoes in the middle of a workout. Is all this truly necessary?
Believe it or not, what we put on our feet can improve our performance.
There are shoes for almost every sport, heck even golf has their own shoes.
Most shoes are sports specific; the company designs the shoe around the type of
athlete they are marketing too.
A Heaving History
The newest craze to hit the gym floor isn't that new at all,
weight lifting shoes have been around since the 80's. The first company to
create them was Otomix. These shoes were popular when bodybuilders wore those
big bright pajama type pants. As styles and trends changed so did the face of lifting
shoes. Wrestling shoes and converse were the big names for lifting for a bit.
Shortly after this Vibram designed a shoe that mimicked being barefoot called
the Five Finger. Very similar to a water shoe but was designed for mostly
runners. These “barefoot” designed shoes are very different from your typical
lifting shoe. The game totally changed with Reebok and Crossfit. Reebok
capitalized on the deal signing a contract with Crossfit. They designed a hard
sole shoe specifically for lifting. The hard sole allows the athlete to have a
better base of support. Adadias and Nike created their own version of a lifting
shoe.
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Source: http://www.muscleandfitness.com
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