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It recently came to my attention this past summer that there is a new craze in running...running "barefoot" or using the innovative Vibram Fivefingers. Once I laid eyes upon these "rubber soles" I couldn't resist but buy them. I gave them a trial run while training on my summer packet for soccer and definitely fell in love.
According to vibramfingers.com/technology/health_wellness, the shoes will benefit you in the following ways:
#1 Strengthens Muscles in the Feet and Lower Legs-wearing Fivefingers will stimulate and strengthen muscles in the feet and lower legs, improving general foot health and reducing the risk of injury.
#2 Improves Range of Motion in Ankles, Feet and Toes-no longer 'cast' in a shoe, the foot and toes move more naturally.
#3 Stimulates Neural Function Important to Balance and Agility-when wearing Vibram Fivefingers, thousands of neurological receptors in the feet send valuable information to the brain, improving balance and agility.
#4 Improves Proprioception and Body Awareness-those same neurological receptors heighten body awareness, sending messages about body mechanics, form, and movement.
#5 Eliminates Heel Lift to Align the Spine and Improve Posture-by lowering the heel, our bodyweight becomes evenly distributed across the footbed, promoting proper posture and spine alignment.
#6 Allows the Foot and Body to Move Naturally, Which Just FEELS GOOD.
For any of you interested in Vibram Fivefinger's it is recommended that you GRADUALLY break them in just for the simple reason that they are so different, it will be a very unique experience when you first start wearing them. Start with your high cushioned shoes and progressively move down to shoes with less and less cushion. For my fitness lovers, this is a great way to spice up your routine! Believe me your gastrocnemius and soleus will be feeling it the next day. I've done quite a bit of research on these and there are some pro and con articles out there. These may not work for YOU, however, it is a matter of physically going to a store and testing them out for yourself.
Here are a couple of websites to look at that will give you some more info on these awesome shoes:
Have a great first FULL week of school everybody! Hope to see all of you get your "fitness" on at the Bronco Fitness Center :)
-Stephanie Sandino
Definitely want to emphasize the gradually breaking them in, train in them too quickly and you will end up on crutches and a cast like I did all summer.
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