At-home exercisers? Shoes or not?

[KimRaye]

After my weigh-in question, I should be afraid to ask but....when you're at home exercising, do you wear shoes or not?

I don't wear shoes but, I tried it once with shoes and, they just feel cluncky to me but, when I don't wear shoes, I think I'm doing more tip-toe exertion than foot exertion. Is that wrong? I have Big calves already and, all this tip-toeing seems to make them bigger.

I've been making a more conscious effort to do full-foot down but, will wearing shoes help at all, in the long run?

TIA

Kim

 

[tiggerlover]

Hi Kim! I always wear shoes, I just feel it is necessary for support and never really thought twice about it. But I guess it is all a matter of personal choice.

 

[ohMom]

YES!!! SHOES!!!!

be kind to your feet they need supported even at-home exercising. take from a victim of tendonitis!!

 

[TammyNC]

I always wear my shoes for support and I find that it helps my posture as well during exercises.

 

[Beastlover]

Depends on what I am doing.

Here goes:
Yoga, Pilates, Tae Bo, Zumba....bare foot, no socks.
Treadmill, Stairstepper, Step Workout, Aerobics....shoes all the way.

Great post!! Interesting!!

 

[sap1227]

No shoes for me. DH always tells me I need to wear shoes for support and I am sure he is right, but I still don't. I am also a "tip-toe" kind of person.

Christy

 

[summersfam4]

Also a tendonitis victim, I started having problems in high school. During workouts, shoes, shoes, shoes. They are necessary for good support although I can fully understand not wearing them for yoga, but for Tae-bo, I need the real support during those kicks (this face kinda looks like me doind Tae-bo ) I also believe in getting a professional fit for shoes, and spending more money for good quality support, spend a bit more now, have good knees later! Good question, it made me think about why I do what I do!

Kelly

 

[KathyTX]

Pilates- no shoes.

Walk away the pounds: If I'm doing it on the carpet, no shoes (this might be bad, but it's more comfortable.) If I'm doing in on a hard surface, definitely shoes.

 

[mommyflower]

I wear shoes because if I don't I seem to twist my ankle more and step with the wrong part of my foot. My feet point in and when I stand without shoes all of my weight is supported by the inside of my feet instead of whole foot. All of this is due to a twist in the bottom of my spine. My doctor says I really should wear shoes all the time, but I just can't do it. Sorry to ramble on. Yes shoes are important so you don't get hurt, but you also need to make sure they have good arch support or it really won't help.

 

[JustMe28]

I always wear shoes while exercising because if I don't it's like I can feel the bone on the bottom of my feet and that feels very, very uncomfortable, so for me, I wear my shoes.

 

[raidermatt]

As with others, it depends for me.

If I'm doing Tae Bo or martial arts on the carpet, I don't wear shoes. There's a lot of twisting of the foot, and the shoes make it hard on the knees. Lately, I've been exercising in the garage, and therefore on mats, but I still don't wear shoes as it still feels more comfortable. Its also what I'm used to as we don't wear shoes in my MA class.

For just about everything else, I wear shoes. I wouldn't even consider not wearing shoes for anything with a lot of jarring, like running or step aerobics.

 

[Octoberbride03]

I'm with the others:

PIlates or stretching: no shoes, and no socks

Weights, walking, aerobics and FIRM tapes: shoes.

Shoes are especially important while using weights. if you drop dummbbells accidently your foot will be more protected. And be sure to wear shoes that let your feet expand while you work out.

 

[believe]

I do Tae-bo, Pilates and Walking off the Pounds...no shoes unless. Just don't feel right wearing shoes in the house. More comfortable without shoes.

 

[MelanieC]

I agree, I think shoes are important.

I do a lot of step, so shoes is a must. I will do yoga and abs only without shoes though.

 

[JulieK]

I wear shoes. I need them for stability and to absorb some of the shock from my knees and shins.

 

[sharoncity]

I use the stepper and I just can't do it in shoes. I've tried several pairs of sneakers which are perfectly comfortable for all other purposes, but NOT on the stepper. I tried slippers just for traction - Nope! no good. The bottoms of my feet really hurt after about 10 min in any kind of shoe on that *evil* thing. I just go barefoot now and no problems - yet!!! I also do the Firm tape barefoot - but I'm just a barefoot kinda girl anyhow!

 

[KimRaye]

Well, based upon everyone's replies, I tried wearing my Easy Spirit (WDW) shoes, instead of my Kenney's and, it WAS a bit nicer and, easier on my calves. I now have my Easy Spirit's down in the basement where I do my WATP videos! Thanks everyone!

 

[Nancy]

I only wear sneakers when I go to Curves or when I'm on the Gizelle...and that is only because the foot hold for that is full of hard bumpy dots and it hurts your feet. If I'm doing any of the tapes at home, I'm on my carpet and don't wear shoes.

 

[sm4987]

no shoes unless I'm on my treadmill or my bike