Can 'Barefoot' Shoes Help You Get In Better Shape?

by Amy Cortese (RSS feed)
May 19th 2010 at 11:02AM

Last year, I wrote about the barefoot running trend for the New York Times, so when Terra Plana recently invited to me to try out their new minimalist running shoe with a renowned running coach, I was eager to give it a try. I've always been a somewhat reluctant runner, so this, I thought, might give me a boost to get in shape for summer.

Terra Plana, run by Galahad Clark, a seventh generation shoe maker (his family owns the footwear giant Clarks), has been one of the biggest proponents of the move toward stripped-down running shoes that mimic a barefoot feel but provide protection from city streets. In March, the company debuted its first performance running shoe, the Evo ($160). it has a super-thin rubber sole (4 millimeters, compared to an inch or more for a conventional padded running shoe) and weighs just eight ounces.

When I arrived at Chelsea Piers, I was greeted by Lee Saxby, a biomechanics expert and level four Pose Method trainer. Lee had me run on a treadmill in my owns sneaks (a pair of Nike Frees, which have less padding than many running shoes) and videotaped it. I was "sticky," not "bouncy," he told me. And although I would have sworn I was a mid-foot striker, the evidence was there in gory slow motion... my heel striking the ground first -- a big no-no in barefoot running. "Unless you grew up in a barefoot culture, you have to learn how to run," Lee explained. Running shoes with big, cushy heels have trained us to take big strides and land on our heels, an unnatural gait that barefoot advocates say can cause injury. The foot is perfectly engineered to run, but encased in modern footwear, our feet have gotten lazy.

Lee explained that good running form is all about alignment, and that many of us who tend to sit at computers all day long get locked into bad patterns. "Sitting posture is the devil's work," he said (don't I know that!). He showed me some exercises to do, like squatting jumps with a body bar held over my head, to counteract the sitting posture and retrain my body. Then it was back on the treadmill, this time in a black-and-red pair of Terra Plana Evo's. Slipping them on, I was struck by the tactile sensation of the ground beneath my feet - just a thin strip of rubber between us. On the treadmill, my form naturally adjusted, helped along by some prodding and pointers from Lee. I could feel my feet flex and push off the treadmill. Playing back the video, we saw that I was landing on the balls of my feet now, and my body was more in alignment. I was even, dare I say it, bouncy.

I left armed with exercises and newfound determination to give minimal running a serious try. After all, summer is just around the corner.

Tags: barefoot running, Evo, getting in shape, Lee Saxby, minimal running shoe, Pose Method, Terra Plana

Filed under: Shoes, Sports

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Clynton May 19th 2010 3:10PM

Terrific! I have a pair of the EVOs and wear them to work a lot as well. I agree, they are thin, and feeling the ground is nice.

Sue May 21st 2010 7:26AM

I also have a pair and love them! Http://www.walkoffyourpounds.com

Venkata May 21st 2010 6:37AM

A good article explaining how our modern day living habits are affecting our abilities and body functions. It is always better to let the body be free and as natural as possible even during running.
http://www.allscienceonline.com/all_science_topics.html
Venkata

Cyborg May 21st 2010 7:51AM

If the sole of the shoe is only 4 mm thick, how long does a pair of these shoes last. I can't pay $160 every month or so for shoes... for that matter, who can?

tcraw10506 May 21st 2010 10:57AM

You have that right. It's just another fad I have seen a lot of them in my 62 years

Ellizabeth Pttus May 21st 2010 1:00PM

Teh Vibram 5 finger shoes are the real barefot runing shoe--check the links on the website-the siceince is very impressive. They last until they wear out (I have a apir that is 2 years old) As there is no padding to break down, there is no wearing out, unless you damage them in an accident or something--or if you dry them in the dryer (a big no-no).
You have to embrace the alternate thought process, these obviate the necessity for orthotics, arch support, all the shoe indistry stuff that we do not need if we get our feet, ankles, etc into the right shape

beth May 21st 2010 8:45AM

I far prefer brisk walking in calorie burning body toning insoles. http://www.healthysole.info

I have a tried a lot of different forms of diet and exercise to efficiently burn calories and lose weight...After years of losing and gaining and never accomplishing my goals, I finally found what worked for me. What worked for me in dropping the pounds and gettng toned was getting a pedomenter and WALKING 10,000 steps every day and being aware of my calorie count!

I usually walk 20 minutes every day and I wear smart sole exercise insoles . They are body toning insoles similar to Reebok Easytone that help you burn extra calories while you walk or work out as well as tone and tighten. Why not burn a few more calories while shopping. I read about them on my weight watchers board and the code phit10 gives you a 10% discount.

phurbee951 May 21st 2010 9:23AM

So there's barely anything around your foot but they cost $160? LOL

Robert May 21st 2010 10:00AM

yep and they last i hour

nikehercules101 May 21st 2010 9:36AM

Have any of you tried the vibram five-fingers, they are truly "barefoot" shoes , http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/.

Ellizabeth Pttus May 21st 2010 1:01PM

you are totally right-not only do I wear my regular Vobrams at the gym (and everywhere else I can), I also wore the "Treks" in Nepal and Tibet in April and they were fabulous on the trails-I jetisoned my hiking boots, and have never been happier

maggie May 21st 2010 10:10AM

CYBORG I grew up going barefoot every summer.

I have a lot of trouble with my feet. I now wear Minetonka Moccasins., and if I go going some place I need to be a little dressier, I wear my boots. You can get Minetonkas with soles, or with out soles. It is the only thing I can wear that does not cause me feet pain. I can wear them in my yard or to W/M. And the bet part they cost no where the price tag I just saw for those shoes. I paid about $34. for mine. give them a try. I have two pair now and plan to get another, plus I want a pair of the boot ones, still they do not have stiff soles.
No I am not a commerical for them. I am a 67 year old great grand mother with P.A.D. But if Minetonka wants to pay for telling about their product that would be great with me.
If you respond to this I may or may not get it, my computer is sick.

hstncoogs May 21st 2010 11:06AM

I have had a pair of the Vivo Barefoots for over a year now, got them from a designer. I was skeptical since I'm not all into this posture stuff but I was amazed how different and great they feel. After wearing them a while I put on my running shoes and wow did my feet feel weird. The thin layer of the shoe def lasts long I wear them practically every day for a year and counting. Too bad there so dammed expensive!

nlkanous May 21st 2010 10:28AM

Clearly some very misinformed commentators here. I've worn the Vivo Barefoot shoes every day for over a year. There is very little wear showing on the sole of the shoe. The entire line of shoes is well made, functional and durable. The ONLY reason I haven't bought a pair of Evo's to go with the other Vivo's in my closet is the $160 price tag. Would the be worth it? Yes.

Nick McClung May 21st 2010 10:33AM

Anyone who would pay $160.00 for any pair of shoes is a fool.

DarkwingduckHG May 21st 2010 11:14AM

I'm Flat footed and have worn cheap shoes (wal-mart ETC.) and believe me when I tell I can tell a HUGE difference in a high dollar shoe and Cheap off brand I end up spending more in cheap shoes as I wear them out in less than a week unlike a shoe like the Asics or New balance so for a person like me a high dollar shoe just makes more sense

kherold31 May 21st 2010 11:24AM

That's why Vibram Five Fingers are THE BEST!! They are only 80 dollars, my injuries are gone and everyone loves them, they last a long time too!!

rnspiker2 May 21st 2010 2:07PM

The Vibram 5 fingers are great. I've got the KSOs and wear them all the time. I originally got them for sailing but now I do everything in them. It really is like being barefoot, and my knees don't hurt after a long day of walking and standing like they used to.

SamT Jun 1st 2010 12:34PM

I do know the VFF aren't puncture resistant whereas the VivoBarefoot shoes are. They are expensive but look amazing, I've just placed my order.

Trai Jun 3rd 2010 7:52PM

I have to confess that I've fallen in love with barefoot running and using minimal shoes. But for the most part, I wear minimal shoes such as this one whenever I'll be doing longer runs or going to terrains I'm not familiar with. I dumped the usual shoes and got my body back in shape - there are a few kinds of toe shoes out there to use to train to go barefootin'. I've tried vibram five fingers, and now I moved on to Gist Originals that I found on http://www.gistwear.com. The 20% off promo code is still working - its at RetailMeNot. I've finally gotten the glutes looking the way I always wanted.

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