For the longest time I have loved exercising with no shoes on. Perhaps it started when I was first introduced to mat Pilates at my local gym. As someone who has always struggled a bit with balance, it was one of the only times I truly felt grounded while moving my body.
This grounded or connected feeling while working out barefoot increases our sensory feedback from our feet, which leads to better balance, coordination, and awareness of our body in space. When our body awareness is sharper, we move with more ease and can better maneuver our bodies as needed, reducing our risk of injury.
Moving with no shoes also strengthens foot and ankle muscles. I suffered a pretty severe ankle sprain several years ago that led to long term pain, poor ankle mobility, and even worse balance. It wasn't until I found barre that I was able to completely rehab the injury. After about two months of consistent barre training, I was pain free, had my mobility back, and my balance had improved immensely.
One of my most favorite things about barre is that it was developed by a woman, Lotte Berk, who was a dancer working with physical therapists to rehab an injury. The method she created combined her ballet knowledge with the physical therapy she was receiving. I've had clients tell me the work we do in class mirrors what they have done with their physical therapist.
These days I do just about all of my movement barefoot. Low impact strength training is a given, but I do my heavier lifting with no shoes as well. I find I'm able to be more mindful engaging my leg muscles when I'm doing heavy lifts if I do so barefoot and again, feel more connected.
Have you tried a strength training routine barefoot?
