Buzz
Barefoot workouts go beyond just running. Explore other exercises without shoes to enhance your balance and build stronger feet.
Exercising without shoes allows your foot muscles to engage more and may promote more natural movement. However, runners have been cautioned to be cautious and avoid overdoing barefoot workouts too quickly. For gym exercises, it’s wise to start slow.
To avoid breaking gym policies, either perform these exercises at home or check with your gym to make sure barefoot training is allowed. Men’s Health recommends these shoe-free exercises:
Push-ups to stretch your toes and the bottoms of your feet. (For an added stretch, try the toes pose in yoga as well.)
Deadlifts to bring yourself closer to the floor. If you’re a frequent deadlifter, you might already wear low-soled shoes, but going barefoot provides the same benefit.
Lunges to challenge your foot muscles for stability rather than relying on the support of your shoes.
Discover more about the advantages of barefoot exercises in Men’s Health, including these and other movements.
Image by Pink Sherbet.
