Is barefoot running via vibrams a scam?

[Daniel Dean]

Chris McDougall was on a local radio program last week discussing barefoot running. He made an interesting suggestion that maybe people getting into barefoot running should forgo VFFs, et al. and go fully barefoot when they start out. His reasoning was that minimalist shoes make it easy to do too much too soon. It's hard to overdo things fully barefoot because the soles of your feet are going to hurt long before you strain a calf or something. Once you can run 2-3 miles fully barefoot on pavement, then you can get some minimalist shoes and get after it.

[Derek Weaver]

I would also throw in that people should go full barefoot on grass or something before their feet ever touch pavement at anything more than a brisk walk. There's a good strength coach podcast where Gray Cook talks about barefoot training and how he had some guy 'running' barefoot on grass only as fast as he could do so pain free. Over the course of a week or two, he was up to a jog and then was able to start from there.

Running full barefoot on pavement has more potential negatives than I can think to list right now.

His basic point makes sense though. Minimalist shoes like VFFs or even Frees or the new NB's make it easy to screw up and/or over do it.

[Ben Moskowitz]

Any suggestions for building up atrophied arches? I know several people who wear orthotics because of flat feet. I am not sure atrophied arches are the actual cause, and thus want to suggest them a program/exercises that wouldn't aggravate their current condition.

[Steven Low]

Originally Posted by Ben Moskowitz

Any suggestions for building up atrophied arches? I know several people who wear orthotics because of flat feet. I am not sure atrophied arches are the actual cause, and thus want to suggest them a program/exercises that wouldn't aggravate their current condition.

Page 4 here:

http://www.eatmoveimprove.com/2009/1...-dysfunctions/

[Cyril Sack]

Something I've been curious about is that running barefoot style leads to an actual shrinkage of the footsize. Something to do with the muscles tightening from the additional work they do. But don't muscles usually experience hypertrophy when going through stimulus?

[Steven Low]

No, most people's feet get bigger because of the hypertrophy

If your foot shrinks that because of other reason

[Ben Moskowitz]

Originally Posted by Steven Low

Page 4 here:

http://www.eatmoveimprove.com/2009/1...-dysfunctions/

Thanks Steve, great protocol and suggestions.

[George Mounce]

Unless you are running in a VFF specifically made for running (I use these: http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/pro...ikila-Mens.htm) I don't suggest them for running other than short sprints.

[James Evans]

Someone was asking me a about barefoot running and I sent her some of the stuff below. Thought it may be of interest.

I'm not a barefoot fan - I have a pair of Merrells and love them (save for the smell) but not convinced I would want to run anywhere in them.

I love Inov 8s. This does not make me a crossfitter.



Barefoot/minimalist navel gazing:

Inov 8:

http://inov-8.com/News-Detail.asp?NID=342&L=26

Here is the Merrell lowdown on barefoot:

http://www.merrell.com/UK/en/BarefootConnection

New Balance have also jumped into this:

http://www.newbalance.com/nb-minimus/

and I expect the other major manufacturers to be considering their options.

Here is an article from Outside Magazine on barefoot running:

http://www.outsideonline.com/fitness...t-Running.html

Something a bit more sciencey:

http://www.sportsscientists.com/2011...rn-to-run.html

Lastly, this is well worth reading – my Merrell's absolutely stink despite having some radical new odour guard to protect them and wearing socks:

http://www.thefitnessexplorer.com/ho...rFriendly=true

In comments to that article someone suggested putting the shoes in the freezer overnight (in a sealed bag) to kill the bacteria then wash them. Haven't tried this yet. It's really important to dry them out of direct sunlight. One thing I've done and been please with after a suggestion from another manufacturer is to rub the insides with Tea Tree Oil.

[Allen Yeh]

http://ericcressey.com/the-new-balan...inimalist-shoe

Eric Cressey's take on the Minimus