This was posted by my gym.

Barefoot at the gym.

Those of you that have been to our studio have noticed that we have a few trainers and clients that always seem to have their shoes off when you are there. You might be thinking WHY?

Years ago our trainer, Derrick DeLay started to do some research on shoes so he had the ability to make sound recommendations on what type of footwear would be best for his clients. In this pursuit of knowledge, he found some pretty interesting information.

Humans began wearing shoes around 40 thousand years ago to protect their feet from rough terrain and cold temperatures. Modern humans have been around for 150 to 200 thousand years. That means humans have been going barefoot for most of our history. That raises the question, did our barefoot ancestors suffer with plantar fasciitis, hammer toes, bunions, morton's neuromas, and the like at higher or lower rates than we modern, shoe wearing, people?

The research says that habitually barefoot people hardly ever, if ever, suffer from the foot issues habitual shoe wearers experience. That means habitually wearing shoes with things like arch support, motion control, narrow toe boxes, toe spring, heels elevated above the toes (most modern shoes) are the cause of the problems.

Because we all grew up in habitually shod culture we don't think of shoes as the problem. We assume the problem is our feet and we look for shoes and orthotics to fix our feet. Our feet are only broken because of shoes. Eliminate the cause, shoes, and the problems go away and your feet get stronger and become more capable at supporting and moving your body.

In the last 10 years a growing body of research has demonstrated the benefits of going barefoot over wearing shoes. Benefits in foot health, balance, quality of movement, and brain health. To be leaders in the health and fitness industry we have to follow the research. We can lead and educate, or we can pander to people's misconceptions. The research says, "take off your shoes." Our culture says, "bare feet are weird, gross, dangerous, unhygienic."

As a company, we had to make a choice about allowing trainers and clients go with or without shoes, ignore the research or act on it. Here is the problem- ignoring the research would be easy. Nothing to do but give some general advice about buying shoes that fit well, are comfortable, and changed out after a few months. Acting on the research would be challenging. Not only would we have to do something different. We would have to do something our culture views as odd, dirty, dangerous, and a sign of poverty. What to do? Act with integrity or do what is easy? Based on the research, our commitment to health, fitness, and doing the right thing, we gave our staff permission to go without shoes. Some clients asked why, and after hearing the explanation, decided to shun their shoes. For some, they aren't ready or have no desire to go without shoes and that is ok too. Our trainers have the ability to talk with them about shoe options that would be the best for their activities.