Anyone do step barefooted?

[Hej]

I love stepping in just socks. I workout on a cotton rug covering two layers of puzzle mats over hardwood floors. I stopped a couple of months ago because I was told it could be causing my knee pain. Unfortunately using shoes doesn't seem to have made any difference to my knees. I do feel much clumsier in shoes, though, and have more bottom-of-foot pain and tendancy towards foot cramps using any type of shoes... I also feel like an elephant no matter how lightly I try to step.

[Janga]

I do all my indoor workouts without shoes, including step.

[CarlaShanti]

Originally Posted by HelloKitty88

I can't believe what I"m reading in this thread. LOL! Yikes.

I would never dream {and haven't till I saw this topic} or think of doing step, running or any kind of cardio barefoot. I hope that you guys are at least on a wood floor and not concrete if you do this to at the very least protect your knees.

Me too! The only workout I ever do barefoot is yoga. I would never dream of working out without shoes, and most instructors do emphasize the importance of a proper shoe. Each to his own, but you will never catch me doing step barefoot! Or Hiit!! Perish the thought.

[bethellen]

Originally Posted by Amazon

Over the years I've been developing Plantar fasciitis; it would get worse when I increased my cardio, either by walking, running or step. Last year it was really bad--waking up was always so painful!

Then I read some research on barefoot running and started doing all my workouts barefoot in January.

So far, so good. I've really upped my cardio capacity and I've done it barefoot on the step and in hi-lo aerobics, and I've had no episodes of PF. None, and I do ALL of Cathe's and P90X's cardio barefoot, even HIIT.

I want to add that I do have a good floor. It's concrete slab covered with a laminate floor and a good mat layer.

I have recently developed PF and everything I've read says not to go barefoot and wear supportive shoes.
Do you still wear supportive shoes thoughout the day; but just not for exercising?

[Amazon]

Originally Posted by bethellen

I have recently developed PF and everything I've read says not to go barefoot and wear supportive shoes.
Do you still wear supportive shoes thoughout the day; but just not for exercising?

I try to go barefoot now as often as I can. I wear heels to work and as soon as I get home they are replaced with barefeet or flats, like Keds or flip flops. You do find yourself walking differently when you walk barefoot. (For heels I still wear good, supportive shoes like Clarks).

I did have a pair of Vibrams professionally fitted but I don't like how they feel and I only use them when I have to do lunges or split squats. I have a longer middle toe (Morton's toe) and that messes up the fit.

[trixie108]

Wow, I guess I'm in the minority here. After hearing all of the wonderful things about barefooting, I decided to take the plunge. At first it was wonderful, I felt great. But after about two months of barefooting, I developed BAD pain in my arches and knees-to the point where I couldn't complete any type of aerobic workout. Putting shoes on actually made it even worse. I spoke with my doctor and a sports physician at the Cleveland Clinic, and they said going barefoot can actually CAUSE plantar fasciitis!!!
I'm not saying it will happen to everyone, but be careful!! The only workouts I do barefoot now are barre, and my feet feel great.

[Helen]

I do all my home exercise barefoot ever since DH installed squishy mats as my joggers slid on them whilst doing side lunges. That was several years ago - no repurcussions at all, except that it's faster to get ready!

It's a real timber floor, on bearers/joists, then thick (1") squishy mats on top.

[pumptmuscle]

I never thought someone would post this as I thought I must have been the only one, but yes, I used to do step barefoot. Concerned for how it might adversely affect my feet, I put a folded towel on top and had a piece of shag carpet on top of carpet with padding (yes, I had a lot of cushioning ). I loved it.

I don't do it anymore as back then, I just did basic moves (basics and step ups from one side then the other to work the outer legs). Now that I do more complicated step, I wouldn't risk it.

Does anyone do complicated step workouts without shoes? Do you put anything on the step or use it as is? I think I'd also be concerned with cleanliness. I never do workouts barefoot per se but always wear socks, excluding a few Bosu workouts where I do go barefoot.

[Mary09(b)]

I used to, Bob. Cleanliness? We don't wear shoes in our house much at all. Is that dirty?

[Sarah-lara]

According to Ming Chew's book, some people have very supple fascia such that they can get by with doing all the stuff that the others of us wouldn't dare for risk of injury. I imagine this is why some of us can't even fathom barefoot stepping. You might as well be talking about barefoot thumb tack sprinting to me.