If your foundation is weak or has cracks, you’re in for a difficult and expensive remodel down the road. The stronger and larger you can build your foundation, the more resilient and sturdy your house will ultimately be. Think of this phase as pouring the foundation for your home. The first step in successfully transitioning to a minimalist running shoe is building a foundation of strength and balance in your feet, lower legs and hips. In order to stay healthy, which is the number one goal, it is imperative that you properly prepare the muscles in your feet, improve your proprioception, and develop a solid foundation of strength and flexibility before transitioning to a minimalist shoe.
#Minimalist running shoes how to
This article will explain how to safely transition to running in minimalist shoes. The decision on which shoes to wear is a personal one based on your own injury history as well as your goals. I’ve also met numerous runners whose injury problems were seemingly cured by moving into minimalist running shoes. After 10 years of coaching and more than 15 years of running at an elite level, I’ve encountered scores of runners who’ve have been helped tremendously by traditional running shoes. It is not the goal of this article to persuade you one way or the other to try minimalist running. Theoretically, stronger foot muscles and lower impact rates will reduce the chance of injury. Over time, the foot gets stronger so that it can essentially support itself and act as a natural shock absorber by striking on the midfoot or forefoot. Minimalist running on the other hand, promotes the natural motion of the foot. RELATED: How should your foot hit the ground? Recent literature indicates that these safeguards and inherent support can actually weaken the foot over time - nor have they been shown to reduce instances of injury. Traditional running shoes, on the other hand, are well-cushioned, may have denser midsole materials and built-in support devices to prevent excess motion at the ankle, and usually have a high heel to toe ratio - meaning the heel is elevated (10-12 mm is common) above the toe. So what exactly constitutes minimalist running? In short, it involves wearing a running shoe that doesn’t impede upon the body’s natural biomechanics. Furthermore, proponents of the “less is more” footwear philosophy have become more vocal about their success stories.
Minimalist running has been all the rage for a while now as research continues to emerge about its potential benefits. Preparation and patience are key to avoiding injury.