Walking barefoot has some advantages including the ability to propriocept or feel the ground better than if you wear shoes. This ability may have some advantages as to balance and foot strength, there may also be disadvantages especially if you have biomechanical imbalances in your feet from one side to the other. A recent article in Women’s Health explains that without the squishiness of many shoes, the person can feel the ground better and stabilize better. They also suggest that lifting barefoot may also help fortify the strength and power you can develop through the fascial system. Many of the shoes that are considered barefoot or almost barefoot have a minimalist build and little support or cushioning to give you more of a feel of walking or training barefoot. They also have a negative heel which puts more strain on the calf and pushes you into a mid foot stride. Joomra Women Minimalist Road Running Shoes are an example of what some athletes are now wearing while training to feel close to barefoot. Years ago, Vibram had a shoe that was commonly called the 5 finger shoe which basically fit like a glove and had just a barrier on the bottom. These were popular years ago during the barefoot running craze. The Vibram shoes were as close to barefoot as you could get Is this a good way to train? Shoes do give the feet a measure of protection especially in a gym with heavy weights. If you have very flat or overpronated feet and you are asymmetrically built, you may be able to counteract it by rotating the foot in which can level the hips, but it is my opinion that a foot orthotic with a moderately structured shoe is probably a better solution. As far as the idea that it improves the strength and power transmitted through the fascial system. The fascial system molds according to the forces placed upon it. It is possible to improve how it functions which improves how you function. This idea should be pursued on a case by case basis as we are all different and all built different. It is also my experience that anyone with functional issues and tight fascia is likely to get more dysfunction with weight, not less unless it is corrected. In cases like this which we see often, we can help in our chiropractic office with the proper exercises and myofascial release treatment. Check out the article in Women’s Health below The Reason Why Some Top Fitness Pros Actually Prefer To Train Barefoot Need help with problems related to weight lifting. Train smarter, not harder. Think chiropractic sports medicine first. We can help. Book online today.