The Best Barefoot Running Technique

Category: Running |

In the commercial world we live in, both fashion and sport are dominated by footwear. There are sports shoes for every activity imaginable; for running alone you can choose from a wealth of soles, supports, shapes and designs.

We are encouraged to wear shoes outside as children – this seems sensible, we may stand on something sharp. But in countries where it is traditional to be shoeless, many of the joint, muscle, bone and ligament problems that runners suffer simply don’t exist! This is not a new phenomenon, for a long time their have been advocates of barefoot running, and here we will discuss how you can develop your own barefoot running technique.

Barefoot running needs to be developed gradually, to give your feet and leg muscles time to adjust to your new way of moving. When wearing running shoes we tend to land heel first, but when barefoot we instinctively land on the ball of the foot. This means rediscovering a whole set of muscles you may never normally work! Start off by removing your shoes whenever you can – in the house, the garden; try going for a slow, gentle walk and consciously spread your weight across the whole soles of your feet.

When you feel ready to run, take it easy, even if you are an experienced runner. Start with a short jog, never going far from home. You can always repeat your route if you feel up to it, but the last thing you want is to be miles from home and starting to feel pain in your feet. Perfect and build your barefoot running technique gradually.

Physical barefoot running benefits are plenty. Many experts say that shoes cause arches to collapse, and tendons and small muscles in the feet to weaken and become inactive, leading to all manner of complaints. Landing on the heel (as happens when wearing running shoes) restricts speed and causes an impact on the knees. When landing on the balls of the feet as in barefoot running, this does not occur. It is also thought to improve posture and help elongate muscles.

Try to experience a variety of surfaces underfoot: grass, tarmac, concrete, they will all work your feet in different ways, which will help build their strength and resilience. You will soon instinctively know how to tread depending on the texture and gradient of each surface, which will help prevent injuries. It will take a little while to toughen up your soles, but taking things easy will go a long way in preventing blisters.

Your barefoot running technique will be personal and individual to you, as it will be developed using your own sense of touch, balance and co-ordination. Remember to build up slowly and there is no reason why you shouldn’t be a pain-free and successful runner. With so many benefits of running barefoot, it is certainly worth a try.