Bare Foot Running

Blog By: Aishwarya Ghumekar

If you enjoy running, chances are good you’ve seen a fellow runner at a race or out on the road recently with a pair of sock-style minimalist running shoes — or running without any shoes at all. This trend, which was popularized by journalist Chistopher McDougall in his best-selling book Born to Run, is inspiring more and more runners to return to the roots of the sport and go barefoot.

Pros of barefoot running:

It can strengthen feet and reduce injuries. The benefits from this style are low impact on the heel, thus translating to less loading pressure on the weight-bearing limbs. Shorter strides minimize heel striking, and higher cadence allows for speed during the shorter stride. You also have better energy-efficiency, as the body is under less shock from impact, as well as the use of core strength for better body mechanics.
It makes your feet feel great on the right surfaces.Running barefoot on grass feels great and gives runners a fast, natural way to run on their forefoot
A variety of good shoes are available. The wide variety of barefoot running shoes now available means that you can get the experience in a way that better protects your feet from the elements — and in a style that works well for you.
It’s a nice change of pace while training. When used as a small supplement to training, short periods of barefoot running are a great way for most runners to strengthen their feet and improve their stride.

Cons of barefoot running:

You risk injury if you transition too quickly. Adjusting to barefoot or minimal running must be done very slowly.Injury is likely from the change in footwear and running style.
The shoes can cause blisters. The new barefoot running shoes may look cool, but some minimal shoes can cause problems with blisters as runners break them in, Mayer says.
The shoes are pricey. These specialty shoes will cost you more than the average running shoe. A pair of Vibrams costs about $90 and other brands are around the same price point.

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