This is one of the things I disagree with Rippetoe on vehemently. I don't think it makes any sense to treat the foot like a weak link. You can strengthen the bones, muscles, and ligaments in the feet, just like all other bones, muscles, and ligaments in the body. Wrapping your feet in what are essentially coffins guarantees that you will not strengthen them and that they will be a constant source of pain and weakness for the rest of your life. I've been lifting in Ursus weightlifting shoes, which are extremely minimalistic with no heel, and a lot of my foot pain has gone away. My feet have strengthened, toe padding at the bottom of my feet has thickened. The wide toe box coupled with toe spacers has reversed some of the inward shiting of my toes. When I was wearing weightlifting shoes, I had constant foot pain, and they even gave me bunionettes because of the narrow toe box. Before anyone comments that I should have worn shoes that fit me, don't. I was wearing my size; it's just that weightlifting shoes across the board have narrow toe boxes. They're a great way to do permanent damage to your toes. Yeah, putting on weightlifting shoes may increase your squat. But I see that as a band-aid solution for having both weak feet and having poor ankle mobility. Both of which can be remedied from minimal, wide-toed, and flat shoewear.
Stories like this just annoy me. There are plenty of people who don't wear shoes on the platform. Let's see Eddie Hall, Thor and many other WR holders. Albeit it not in the sport of powerlifting but saying its more dangerous than wearing a deadlift slipper or a light shoe is just plain dumb.
This is one of the things I disagree with Rippetoe on vehemently. I don't think it makes any sense to treat the foot like a weak link. You can strengthen the bones, muscles, and ligaments in the feet, just like all other bones, muscles, and ligaments in the body. Wrapping your feet in what are essentially coffins guarantees that you will not strengthen them and that they will be a constant source of pain and weakness for the rest of your life.
I've been lifting in Ursus weightlifting shoes, which are extremely minimalistic with no heel, and a lot of my foot pain has gone away. My feet have strengthened, toe padding at the bottom of my feet has thickened. The wide toe box coupled with toe spacers has reversed some of the inward shiting of my toes.
When I was wearing weightlifting shoes, I had constant foot pain, and they even gave me bunionettes because of the narrow toe box. Before anyone comments that I should have worn shoes that fit me, don't. I was wearing my size; it's just that weightlifting shoes across the board have narrow toe boxes. They're a great way to do permanent damage to your toes.
Yeah, putting on weightlifting shoes may increase your squat. But I see that as a band-aid solution for having both weak feet and having poor ankle mobility. Both of which can be remedied from minimal, wide-toed, and flat shoewear.
All load bearing animals, oxen, horses, donkeys, all get shoes. You’re not better than a horse. Be barefoot as much as you can but not in the gym :)
@@oliverallen5324 Man, learn to read. When did I say I was barefoot.
Stories like this just annoy me. There are plenty of people who don't wear shoes on the platform. Let's see Eddie Hall, Thor and many other WR holders. Albeit it not in the sport of powerlifting but saying its more dangerous than wearing a deadlift slipper or a light shoe is just plain dumb.