Why Barefoot

Your Arch of Triumph

By Al Gauthier ⋅ January 8, 2009 ⋅  Email This Post ⋅ Post a comment

Original Here

Low/flat arches, high arches, normal/neutral arches. You’ve heard these terms, and like many, probably look to athletic shoes manufacturers (and running magazines) to point you in the right direction. To cure the handicap you seemingly poses. But do you?

I personally have somewhat low/flat arches. Yet, I’ve been running injury free for nearly 7 years now… and barefoot, can you imagine? It’s not the shape or height of your arch that’s really all that important. Interestingly enough, podiatrists conclude that a small percentage of people have an ‘ideal arch’. Hmmm… so maybe, and I’m going out on a limb here, maybe your foot is perfect — it just requires the (barefoot) exercise it needs. The STRENGTH of your arch and overall foot muscles are the key to healthy and enjoyable running/walking for a lifetime. Since switching to barefoot running back in 2002 my arch looks the same to the naked eye, but when I leave wet foot steps I can see that I leave less of my arch imprint. I no longer even consider arch type as it’s really an unimportant variable or description.

Podiatrists write about ‘foot imbalances’ or ‘bio-mechanical insufficiencies’. At every turn I read warnings of barefoot walking or running, statements such as “your feet are (too) delicate and need proper support and/or cushioning” — I’m raising the bullshit flag. (Disclosure: I’m not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV, but I am a thinker) Oh, and footwear companies aren’t any better — they rake in billions of dollars by pushing their lab-tested, engineered, fancy named, technology-rich devices to save our poor dilapidated human feet. Thanks! What would we have done without you! Meanwhile, running related injuries are climbing…

Now, don’t get me wrong. There are people that have foot problems and require such specialists, people with teeth or vision problems go and see a specialist too. I’m not discounting their value within the medical community, so hold off on the death threats Docs. Foot problems are only widespread in shod nations, thanks to our own doing.

We can and should actively prevent foot problems, by not handicapping them through wearing running shoes. Don’t rely on external remedies (supports, inserts, insoles, running shoes, pads, etc.) when a perceived problem surfaces. In other words, don’t take the lazy route. It would be like getting an arm brace just because your biceps are too weak to lift something around the house. (hit the gym instead and strengthen your ‘perceived’ deficiency)

So what can you do? Well, if you have children, get them off on the right foot. It’s important they walk and run around barefoot as often as possible through the age of 6 years of age as these are important developmental years for the body. As an adult, begin barefooting whenever you can. Yes, it may not feel great at first – heck, neither does hitting the gym the first time in months or years, right? Next, begin to slowly introduce barefoot running, NOT jogging but running, into your training. Start with 5-10mins per day, increase time/mileage slowly and listen to your body. Within 3-4 weeks you should be able to run ~75% of your weekly mileage barefoot. And if it takes longer, don’t give up — it takes time to rebuild strength, agility and muscle memory in the feet.

So dear friends, your arch is a triumph of nature – don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

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