Here on The MOVEMENT Movement podcast, we talk about natural movement. Is what we’re talking about actually even natural? Did we evolve to do the things that we talk about doing? I get an email maybe once a week or a comment on YouTube video once or twice a week that says what I’m talking about, this whole idea of using footwear like ours, that doesn’t have a bunch of cushioning and padding and motion control in our support. Or, even walking and running barefoot. That’s not good. It’s not what you’re supposed to do. Only amazingly, wonderfully talented gifted genetic freak people can actually do it, because we didn’t evolve to stand on hard surfaces, we didn’t evolve to be able to run on pavement, we didn’t evolve to be able to stand on cement floors all day. So let me give you the shortest version of today’s podcast…that’s complete nonsense.
Let’s take a look at why that is on today’s episode of The MOVEMENT Movement podcast.
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I suppose if all you do are short walks, short runs, don’t stand for long lengths of time, that relearning the art of barefootedness works on smooth hard surfaces. For those of us who enjoy more rigor and time on our feet, the relearning process starts on more gnarly surfaces. For me it is gravel. As you maneuver on the gnarly sharp little rocks, your body relearns how to walk, run and play at a much more accelerated pace and I guarantee your feet won’t let you over do it. Structural injuries are minimized because the gravel only lets you do so much at a time until you gain the strength and get the knack. It’s not about thick skin: it’s about the ability to maneuver gently using all your body. As you move on the gnarly ground, you imitate on the smooth hard surfaces. Gnarly surfaces prevents bad habits from creeping in: whereas smooth and hard surfaces is like starting out wearing minimal shoes and promotes bad habits that may lead to injuries.
I was a late comer relearning barefoot techniques lost in childhood at the age of 57. Now I’m pushing 71. I started out on the smooth hard surfaces and was disappointed with my progress and injury setbacks. Six months later I read Barefoot Ken Bob Saxton preaching the benefits of relearning how to walk and run barefoot on gravel.
I’ve had a right knee problem for about 12 years. In the beginning, it hurt to do any long walks more than 5 minutes, so I stopped altogether. Then one day, I was bored and tried the treadmill in a pair of socks, which they advise not to for safety reasons, but then there was hardly any pain! I lasted 25 minutes and then felt lied to by the shoe/sneaker industry. Ever since then, I only walk on the treadmill either barefoot or socked feet. My knee gets tired making my foot drag a little, but I can tell where my foot is landing so much better. I’m much more stable. I recently found Xero shoes by accident on Facebook. This company makes me happy that I’m not crazy for going barefoot and feel less guilty for not wearing sneakers to exercise for years. Yay! Thanks. I’m glad there’s something to it. I did just order a pair of Xero shoes and boots for outside. I miss walking outdoors. Crossing fingers for outdoor hiking again.
That’s awesome! I’m so glad you’re making progress over there! Isn’t it quite a rotten feeling to realize you’ve been fooled and weakened by conventional footwear companies? I was furious. But there is definitely a beautiful pleasure in undoing a lot of that damage that was done by decades in restrictive foot prisons, and then switching to bare feet or minimalistic footwear 🙂 The plantar fascia pain I felt in New Balances or Crocs literally caused me to cry and crawl on my hands and knees -_- the pain I feel in my plantar fascia while in minimalist footwear or barefoot is almost a “good” pain… It happens wayyy way less frequently, and it actually feels like my body is correcting itself and relearning how to stretch and flex properly 🙂
Really curious as to what you would say to those who are into sports that are practiced on grass and in cleats.
I’m not sure what you’re asking, Meredith. There’s no problem playing on grass. Most cleats, though, are HORRIBLE — too stiff, too narrow, and pointy toes. Go to 3rd world countries and you’ll find often find people playing in bare feet. Perhaps not ideal when you need more traction, but there are definitely better ideas than modern soccer and football shoes, for example (and we’re working on them).
Right, I have noticed when looking to purchase cleats for kids sports they are all terrible. But I haven’t seen any alternatives other than non-cleated shoes. I would hate to have a bare foot stepped on by another cleated player.
I ‘ve used my Xero Terraflex to play soccer in.
Bought the green hiker shoe. Love it. I hiked 10 miles one day in this shoe. I wear them all the time. Im not your average hiker though. My foot arches used to spasm in bed at night. These shoes along with other changes helped solve that problem. Huge believer in strength to help solve health problems. Too many ppl think meh just gettin older. What can you do? Dont fall into that inertia. Stay active and stay healthy.