Squatting/DL kills shoe cushion?

One good way to lift is to wear no shoes, as it adds an additional element of stability. Yes it's also not 100% safe since it would hurt if a weight drops on them, but think about the increased proprioception, muscle activation of the feet, ankles, and body, and improved coordination - the benefits outweigh the disadvantages if you are allowed to use them.

The problem is many gyms have a rule that doesn't allow taking shoes off. Then, for squatting special squat/weightlifting shoes are very useful, but I would bring a very light shoe with no drop for deadlifts (the heel lift in the weightlifting shoes makes a DL harder actually since it increases range of motion).

Don't do Olympic lifts or squats in running shoes. The only advantage I can think off is you can navigate the gym a lot faster than with weightlifting shoes, so you if you start sprinting to the rick you will easily beat the guy who just did biceps curls trying to make it there in his strap weightlifting shoes.

Another good option to build feet and ankle strength are shoes like Vibram five fingers. Anything but please don't use running shoes in gym unless you do cardio, BW or treadmill stuff!

I've always heard you shouldn't deadlift in running shoes because the heel-toe drop puts pressure on your knees.

A cheap pair of sneakers or flats would be fine, though. I don't think cushioning wewr will be an issue -- the loads from running are higher, and with way more cycles.

Thank you !

Regarding the last post, I just don't get why running puts more load on a midsole than, let's say, weighted single leg squats.

A lot of lifters seem to wear old school Chuck Taylor cons ... firm and zero drop. I scored a couple free pairs of No Bull shoes for lifting .. they are fantatsic.

Rubio wrote:

Thank you !

Regarding the last post, I just don't get why running puts more load on a midsole than, let's say, weighted single leg squats.

would you rather have someone who weighs 150 lbs stand on your face or jump on your face?

I don't know that DLs and squats would kill the cushioning but I think that at a weight where you would start to need to worry about it, the instability of a squishy sole will be more of a concern.

would you rather have someone who weighs 150 lbs stand on your face or jump on your face? <----- LOL

But when squatting you have to add to your bodyweight 100-150% on top of that.

Rubio wrote:

would you rather have someone who weighs 150 lbs stand on your face or jump on your face? <----- LOL

But when squatting you have to add to your bodyweight 100-150% on top of that.

I've read somewhere - but am too lazy to look it up - that you land with 800-900 lbs of force when running. But even if that is wrong, you're going to have orders of magnitude more foot strikes than squat or DL reps. And many more times per week.

The peak downforce on a reasonably fast stride is higher than what most people can deadlift. So, no. Also you will just feel unsteady from the extra height and squishiness, when you want a really solid contact with the ground. Finally, no shoes means one inch less you have to lift the bar ;-)

I lift at home in the garden and have an old pair of Crocs I use for gardening and lifting. They are perfect: just a totally solid slab of rubber moulded to the foot, which I can slip in and out of in seconds.

Rubio wrote:Hi.

Squatting/Deadlifting twice a week.

Pretty light, actually: 150lb squat / 160lb DL.

But fairly high volume of sets/reps

I don't have any gym footwear other than running shoes at the moment.

Will my lifting sessions crush the midsole, so it will lose its responsiveness and cushion?

Thanks!

You could just use a pair of old running shoes that you no longer use for running. I use my old worn out running shoes for mowing the grass, painting, etc.