Capitalist argument against minimalism

1) if minimalism really would help you run faster, I guarantee Ryan Hall and all of the pros would be practicing it. There are plenty of things Hall could do to make money, and he's not doing them. He's not making public appearances, etc, etc, he's eating, sleeping, and running in a cabin at 7,000ft because he wants to run fast, more than anything else in the world. And pretty much every other pro is like this. It is NOT primarily about money.

2) A minimalist company would lose a lot of money, because minimalists put 1000s of miles on their shoes, PLUS the market is VERY small. Most people would try it and it wouldn't work--the shoes would feel too uncomfortable, no support, etc, so they'd abandon it.

What the...?

The shoes are one aspect of the training. These guys add aspects all the time: different drills, plyometrics, etc. The difference with the shoes is that they are very timid to change something so basic and elemental (and rightfully so).

What is "Born to Run"?

I'm pretty sure Hall does a lot of training in flats, as does every top marathon runner. He just doesn't do all of it in flats.

almost done that book myself - one of the best reads in awhile. He sure does the minimalist thing justice - it obviously worked for him. I'm sure your upper-tier runners are doing barefoot/flats training - his recount of the Stanford team's barefoot work and V.L.'s explanation to Nike was priceless. The guy had known it for years. I'm certain some outfit like Saucony or Brooks could more than equal the Free - it's obviously not economically feasible for them.

It will happen eventually. The running shoe industry is very old boyish and stuck in the paradigm of the good old days. They are very resistent to change and new ideas. This goes for speciality running shops as well, they have no idea how to sell minimal shoes and will not even listen to a rep let alone buy several 1000 pairs.

The shoe business is one of the most dated industries going. EVERYTHING is going minimal: cars, phones, tvs, etc. It's a movement based on efficiency and it's not going away.

There will be companies taking advantage of it, Skora is one and I'm sure there are others.

ffffffffffffffff wrote:

I'm pretty sure Hall does a lot of training in flats, as does every top marathon runner. He just doesn't do all of it in flats.

Most runners do a lot of training in flats...when they work out. No pros train entirely in flats, outside of Japan. I'm sure it CAN be done (look at 70s shoes) but it would be wasteful to change in the middle of a career if you are doing fine in normal trainers.

Do a forum search. Minimalists STILL get injured. In fact, minimalists would have you think that injuries have been on the rise since the "good old days" of tire-bottomed canvas running shoes. Well, guess what--they haven't. They've stayed about the same. People still got injured in the 70s, and they still get injured today. Minimalism is not a cure-all. Besides that, MANY people have had problems like Plantar Fasciitis and shin issues cured by (gasp) custom orthotics and supportive shoes.

Looking through the stock at my local running store, it sure doesn't look like shoes are getting more minimal. New Balance is, in fact, beefing up its flagship trainers (check otu the 768 vs 769)! Adidas shoes are still cushier than a pillow, and brooks and ASICS, true to form, haven't changed much since the turn of the century (for better or worse). I don't even pay attention to nike trainers anymore, because nobody really wears them.

bump

I think the book shows that a market for minimalism exists and is expanding--he even talked about how the Vibram Five Fingers (or whatever it is) were beginning to sponsor some runners! Also, to those arguing that the pro's aren't doing it, you have no idea, for all we know Ryan Hall is hammering out miles in the mountains all barefoot and then shows up at races and runs in shoes.

PS I love that book, it was a very inspiring and entertaining read.

1. One of the reasons triathlon does so well as a sport is because they sell a lot of product. Lot more sponsorship.

2. Every company wants to add value to their products in order to sell more. But "value" is a fluid concept. There was value in all that wacky clothing in the 70's. Not now.

Shoe companies sold the shoes runners wanted to buy. Nike will appeal to just about any taste or style or philosophy. The truth about companies is they are largely agnostic on these matters and respond to consumer demands. Even Wal-Mart sells Kashi.

Bashing on capitalism or corporations is just dumb. The consumers are the idiots. When they get smart, smarter products emerge.

Out.

Unless of course the corporations put a lid on research that shows opposite results, buys or sues competing companies that could break the current dogma or put another couple of million in advertising lies.

Not that the above nescessarily applies to running shoes, but it sure as hell happens all the time in other industries. It takes too much time to expose these things so when it is exposed, the money is already invested in the next haux.

Recent example:

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/health-claim-of-probiotics-not-accepted-1796375.html