5 Squatting Barefoot Benefits
updated January 1, 2019
If you want to maximize the muscle and fitness gains that squats have to offer, you may like to consider squatting without shoes and working out barefoot for a change. According to many fitness enthusiasts, squatting barefoot or shedding your shoes when squatting can help in a number of ways, some of which may not be immediately apparent if you have never tried it before.
Squatting barefoot VS Shoes
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The first time that you attempt squatting barefoot, it is a good idea to do so with less weight than you would normally use. This is because the feeling is quite different to when you squat wearing training shoes and you may need a little time to adjust. The 5 ways we have identified that squatting barefoot can help, are listed below.
1. Improved Balance
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Because there are no cushioned soles between your feet and the floor, squatting barefoot makes it easier for you to maintain good balance throughout the complete range of motion. You may find that your ankles need some time to strengthen as you become used to not wearing shoes but the increased awareness you will have of your balance when your feet are in direct contact with the floor will more than makeup for this temporary inconvenience.
2. Keeping the Weight over Your Heels
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By keeping the weight over your heels at all times, you will be working your muscles as hard as possible and gaining maximum benefit from the repetitions that you make. Most athletic shoes have a raised heel that makes it easier to squat, thereby reducing the benefits of the exercise.
3. Allow Your Calves to Move Freely
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Shoes that are designed to support the ankles can be useful when lifting heavy weights but they can also restrict the range of motion of your calves, which will make it harder for you to reach your full potential when you are performing squats. If you want to make sure that you are able to lift to your full potential, you need to avoid restricting the movement of any of your leg muscles, including but not limited to your calves. Click here to read our guide on how to build awesome calves.
4. More Convenient
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If you don’t have to pack training shoes, you can fit your gym gear into a much smaller bag. A small bag is far more convenient when you are planning to train during your lunch hour or on your way home from work and the easier it is to carry, the fewer excuses you will have not to work out.
5. Cheaper
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Good quality training shoes can be expensive so if you don’t need to wear them at all, you could save a significant amount of money on your fitness gear. The less money you have to spend the more likely you are to train!
What are you waiting for?!
There you have it – five very good reasons to try barefoot squats if you haven’t already done so. Be sure to tell your friends about the benefits of squatting barefoot too.
Need some serious shoes for squats and deadlifts? Read our review of the best ones here. They aren’t as expensive as you may think.
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