Running totally barefoot is for babies, hippies, and dilettantes.

-Anonymous anti-barefooter

The Barefoot Revolution- Minimalist Options

So you want to run barefoot, but just cant bring yourself to actually hit the city streets with those naked feet of yours?  This is probably the most common reason why there are

shoes marketed for being most “like barefoot”.  There is glass, garbage, gum, and generally nasty water and crap everywhere.  Whomever would want to touch any of that with their barefoot could be crazy.  We have compiled a list of different options for those of you who want to benefits of running barefoot, without all of the risks.

They are organized by type(including example pictures), with associated reviews(we paraphrased and condensed many reviews into one uber review), and recommended usage(which type of runner each type of footwear would work best for).

Type- Most Minimal

The Huarache Running Sandal

Review:

This is a great shoe (sandal) once you figure out the quirks of making them and tying them.  What is both an upside and downside is that these are handmade.  You have to buy the rubber sole material, and the type of lace (here a piece of rubber and a leather strap, respectively), trace out your foot, cut it out, lace it, then tweak it to make it work well for you.  All of this takes a little time, but once you get the fit right, it feels great.  It offers good protection from glass and gravel while still giving you the feeling that nothing in on your feet.  These have some problems though in extremely wet, muddy, or technical terrain.  Also not really a winter shoe for snowy locations.

Recommendation:

Great for the runner on a budget and for road runners, as well as anyone running up to 50 miles.  At less than $25, this sandal will last as long as the sole material holds up.  This could be over 1000 miles depending on the material!  It does well for road

runners, runners who do fire roads or dirt single track.  May not work well or hold up on extremely hilly rocky terrain without significant reductions in speed.  This is the official Growstronger.com minimalist shoe.

Type- Most Like Barefoot

The Vibram Five Fingers

Review:

With the separate toes, lack of any midsole, and thin rubber outsole, this shoe was most like being barefoot.  It comes in several models to fit each runners needs and fit the climate. However, due to the highly specialized design, it may not fit every foot, so you should try it before you buy it.  Vibram sole can last over 1000 miles, and the different models will also suit different terrains.  the upper material has been known to tear though after only a few hundred miles.

Recommendation:

Although this shoe needs to be tried on and fit precisely before you buy it, for those that can fit into it, it is the thought of as THE barefoot running shoe.  Recommended for all types of runners, running any terrain, and for any distance.  These can get expensive, anywhere from $75-$120, so they are not great for budget minded runners, but with a good stride these can last for 1000’s of miles.

Type- The Curious Runner

Nike Free-like Shoes

Review:

This is a great all around running shoe.  If you like the idea of keeping the look of a running shoe, but like the idea of creating a more flexible shoe for your feet, this could be it.  Some complaints were that it still had some significant support compared to being actually barefoot, and that the heel was still higher than the forefoot, making it easier to heelstrike.  These also aren’t as good for very technical trails as the individualized lugs have been known to break off.

Recommendation:

Great shoe for people who are interesting in seeing what barefoot running is like, but don’t want to invest too much time in rebuilding their training plans.  For all types of runners in all climates, though it may be best for gym use and road use.  At $85 the shoe may be minimal, but the price is not.  This would also make a good transition shoe for runners wearing very supportive shoes with orthodics.

Type- The Zero Cost Alternative

Modified Current Running Shoe

Review:

Although this is the cheapest option- being free- it is a little complicated to do.  Basically you cut a wedge out of the heel of the shoes you are wearing now.  The idea is to make the heel just as high as the forefoot, thereby removing the heel lift.  A brief example:  The shoe to the right has more foam under the heel than the forefoot.  You can see this with the white foam between the red colors and how it tapers down to all red in the toe area.  What you do is take a knife, and, carefully, cut off the white foam.  This leaves no tread on the heel so there is no traction, but a good stride should not necessitate needing a heel.  Though not having any of the barefoot feel, unless you are wearing a minimalist shoe, this setup seems to be able to allow for proper form.

Recommendation:

Great option for anyone who wants to work on their stride, or for runners covering very technical terrain over many miles, over 50 at least.  Can work for any climate.  Not for runners wanting a more minimalist or barefoot feeling shoe.  Cheapest option being that it is free.  Not for runners afraid to use knives.

Type- Best All-Rounder

Racing Flats

Review:

This is a great all around option.  Racing flats have been around for many years.  There are cross country versions that give added traction and protection for trail runners, and they are already some of the lightest and most minimal running shoes you can buy.  Although they are incredibly light and flexible, they still generally have some heel lift, again, allowing for heel strike, and are still not minimal enough to give the barefoot experience.  However, this option seemed to work best for many different types of runners.

Recommendation:

Best shoe for anyone who still wants to wear a more traditional looking shoe.  Also best for anyone who want more protection than the few millimeters of rubber that a true minimalist shoe delivers.  Recommended for all runners, on all terrains, all climates and all distances.  Also, as many of these can be bought for $20-50, this is a great shoe for all types of budgets.

Type- Most Minimal While Still Looking Like a Shoe

Water Shoes/Feelmax Type Shoes

Review:

With a similar amount of material between you and the ground as the Five Fingers or the Huarache, these shoes will give you good protection, excellent ground feel, a fairly long life, as well as warmth.  The Feelmax shoes seem to wear through a little quicker than the water shoes.  Also these are both very minimal shoes.  They have some traction, but may not be the best for extremely technical trails with lots of steep angles.  These both look enough like normal shoes that they can be worn around town, but are also so minimal that they give you great ground feel and also feel quite a lot like being barefoot.

Recommendation:

For the runners who want very minimal footwear and also don’t want people staring at their feet.  The water socks are perhaps the cheapest of any product if you want to purchase a shoe.  Anywhere from $5-40 means you can go in many directions and have many options.  The Feelmax shoes are a little more expensive, around $70+.  These two options will work for any runner at any distance, in any climate, but you may not want to use these on the most technical of trails due to the thinness of the sole and the lack many of the models have of traction.

Type- All Around Minimal Shoe

Yoga and Martial Arts Shoes

Review:

These are great options.  As you can see from the example shoe to the left, these have no midsole, and no heel lift.  Many will have a little more grippy outsoles than our previous type.  Being lace up they have a good fit, and seeing as how they are still formed around a last-meaning they are molded to the shape of a foot-gives them some upsides and downsides.  The downside is that they dont seem to fit every runner the same way, and they tend to be cut to give some arch support.  The upside though are those very traits.  If you run on more undulating terrain, that support seems to hold your foot in place inside the shoe better than if it wasn’t there.  Many of the name brand shoe companies make these shoes so they can be very stylish as well.

Recommendation:

This is for runners who want to look good while also having as many benefits of going minimalist as possible.  For any runner who finds the shoe comfortable, in any climate, and on most terrains.  You may find traction a problem on very loose terrain.  Moderately priced, these shoes run around $60, so they are not great for the most budget minded.  The glue holding the shoe to the sole has also been a point of contention for some people so this shoe may only last in the hundreds instead of 1000’s of miles.  However, they should work well for anyone racing any distance.

These options are but a few of many out there.  We tried to give you a good example of where to start though, and these seem to all be the most popular options among both barefoot and minimalist runners.  Remember that when starting any barefoot running regimen, that you need to start very slowly.

If anyone has any questions about different options, where to find or buy these shoes, or how to make or modify some of the shoes shown in a couple of the above options, let us know and we will be happy to help out!  Happy Feet Mean Happy Running!

For those of you who were previously forum members, we apologize for having to delete your user data.  In our absence, there were over 4000 new members who were not of the “genuine” user variety.  In an effort to reactive everything, we decided to wipe the slate clean.

Think of it as a new beginning.  There are new forum topics, and any old conversations, being erased, are no longer old, but new because they arent there anymore!!

For those of you who are new to Growstronger.com, or who were not previously members or visitors of the forums, feel free to click on our message board button to the right, or got to growstronger.com/forum, and start a training or diet journal, talk about running, biking, weightlifting, or anything else.

Happy talking everyone!!

Hello and Welcome Back Everyone,

That long awaited time, when we at Growstronger.com started the site back up has arrived.  We have retooled and overhauled our goals as a company and now we are coming back to you to provide the same quality exercise and wellness posting that you came to love in us.

For those of you who are newcomers, Growstronger.com is a site that specializes not just on conditioning the body, but the mind and soul as well.  We believe that this gives the individual the greatest overall health to help each person become the greatest of all people.  Grow Smarter, Grow Faster, Growstronger.com!!

So, in addition to more services that we will be bringing on board in the near future, we are going to be giving you one post a week, tailored to helping everyone see another perspective, exercise tips, mental exercises, or various challenges that the authors are completing in order to gain more knowledge in their health pursuits, and for all of our benefits.

Look for the first posting to be started this Sunday, and each week we will be bringing you at least one new post.

Thanks to everyone who has stayed with us during this seemingly endless downtime, and thank you to all our new subscribers.  We will be bringing the forums back online in the next few weeks as well for all of you to post your own challenges, goals, and discussions on topics of your own.

Thank you,

The Growstronger.com Team

It isn’t necessary to invest billions of dollars in genetic research or to implement a worldwide crusade against the top causes of death (2). The two basic words for increasing your probabilities of living a longer and a healthier life are grow stronger. Between the first and second century there was a poet named Juvenal. Although little is known about his life, there is a phrase of his that we know about. And that is “Mens sana in corpore sano.” In English, this phrase can be translated to “A healthy mind in a healthy body.” This poet of Ancient Rome didn’t intend to establish a relation between mind and body, but for many people it became an axiom in order to grow stronger.

As a matter of fact, there is a sports club, the Carlton Football Club that uses it as its motto (3). Unfortunately, millions of Americans do not follow this simple piece of advice and plunge themselves to an unhealthy lifestyle. Inadequate nourishment (fast food is a perfect example) and the lack of exercise are causing millions of deaths in the world. If the population of the United States wants to grow stronger, it needs to make some changes.

Making A Change: Why is it so important?
According to the American Obesity Association, 127 million Americans are overweight, another 60 million are obese and 9 million are severely obese (4). With these numbers, is it possible for America to grow stronger? What kind of country are we giving to our kids? These new generations will grow surrounded by people who are not exploiting the full capacity of their mind and their bodies.

Do we really want to teach them mediocrity instead of excellence? What can we do in order to help them grow stronger? An excellent example of the consequences of an unhealthy life is the movie Supersize Me. This film, made by the independent director Morgan Spurlock, shows the real effects of what happens to a healthy man when he subjects himself to the habits of the average person (5). If we really want to endure as a civilization, and assure a future to our children, we need to grow stronger. The problem is that many people do not know were to start in order to grow stronger. Many find exercise and dieting too much of an effort, so they continue with their lives, unaware of the price that they will have to pay later in their life. So, where do we need to start in order to grow stronger, both in mind and body?

The first step to grow stronger is to assume a compromise with ourselves. This isn’t easy. It may be one of the most difficult things to do since it is a long-term decision. After all, you need to dedicate time, effort, and money, into an objective that will cost a lot of sacrifices and won’t allow you to see the results for a long time. Remember, though, that in order to grow stronger and stay that way, you will need to exercise for the rest of your life. Do not expect to do some cycling and pushups for half a year and then forget about exercising.

Steps to Grow Stronger
Our body is the product of millions of years of evolution. This trial and error process was the one that designed us. The human body requires adequate nourishment if we want it to grow stronger. The second step is to find out how healthy you are. And the only way to do this is to go to the doctors. They will perform a series of tests to your body in order to determine what is good, and wrong, with your lifestyle.

If we consider the numbers provided by the American Obesity Association, it is quite probable that you will not pass many of these tests. The third step is to look for professional help. Go to a certified gymnasium and tell them about your commitment to grow stronger. Since they are professionals, and have helped thousands of people with their new lives, they will be able to help you in your transformation process. Let them know, though, that you are looking for a long-term solution and not just a fit body for the summer months. That way, you will not be subject of extreme diets or tiresome training routines. In case you are not interested in gymnasiums, you may go for sports.

There are dozens of sports to choose from, and most of them are practiced at every major city. Look for a sport with which you feel identified. It can be a solitary sport like swimming or a group activity like hockey. One word of caution, though, in your quest to grow stronger, is do not go for a sport if you are obese or severely obese. Even, something as easy as jogging can damage your body. Consider that it wasn’t designed to carry such amount of mass. In those cases, look for professional help.

Finally, you will need to change your habits of consumption. Lucky for us, supermarkets offer a wide variety of foods to choose from. You don’t have to become a calorie-freak, though, in order to grow stronger. You just need to be conscious of what you eat. The human body can be seen as a machine. As in the case of the machines produced by our industry, if the body isn’t adequately maintained and used, it won’t work properly. And, after a time, it will break down.

It is our sole responsibility, not of the government or our loved ones, to assure ourselves that our bodies will be able to grow stronger. So do not wait until is too late. If you really want to grow stronger, you need to start as soon as possible. Leave behind those soft drinks and start drinking water. Say good-bye to fast food joints and learn the pleasure of eating Japanese food. And, instead of spending long evenings as a couch potato, buy a stationary bike and use it for a couple of hours. Your body, and your mind, will thank you for it.

References:

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_expectancy

2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death

3. http://carltonfc.com.au/default.asp?pg=contributors&spg=display&articleid=213805

4. http://www.obesity.org/subs/fastfacts/obesity_US.shtml

5. http://www.supersizeme.com/

Acupuncture: A Natural Method
We never stop to consider about a natural way of healing because higher amount of trust and confidence is given to doctors and their modern medicine compared to an acupuncturist and his needles. This is because there is fear surrounding alternative healing methods due to ambiguity and lack of knowledge about the procedure that is involved. Simple modern medicine that we just swallow everyday for maybe a headache can cause side effects to our digestive system. It is time to consider a natural way of healing to help us grow stronger mentally, physically and emotionally without side effects.

Acupuncture is a totally natural way of healing as seen in its definition, by the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture as a method to encourage the body to promote natural healing and to improve functioning by inserting needles and applying electrical or heat stimulations to precise acupuncture points (1). The fact that the treatment uses needles could be a main cause that most people tend to avoid it, as needles are usually associated with pain.

The needles used in acupuncture are not the same as the hypodermic needles that are being utilized in hospitals as those needles are hollow and have cutting edges (2). Acupuncturist use needles that are thin and solid which are made out of stainless steel so its application will not be painful as having an injection or taking a blood sample. There is lesser chance of experiencing irritation or abrasion on the skin so those with sensitive skin can also have a go at acupuncture treatment too.

What are the benefits of acupuncture?
Three main benefits of acupuncture treatment are that it provides healing for diseases and medical conditions, it maintains good health and well-being and it prevents illness. Acupuncture treatment has obtained worldwide recognition through the World Health Organization to treat medical conditions such as Digestive, Respiratory, Neurological, Muscular and Reproduction disorders.

Although acupuncture has much benefits to offer, it is still hasn’t secured its place in the community as many of us don’t fully understand the wonderful concept of healing in acupuncture that will allow us to grow stronger naturally. Since acupuncture originated from the Chinese culture one can only understand it better by looking back into its roots.

Why does it work?
The Traditional Chinese explanation states that there are energy channels called Meridian flowing all through our body. These Meridians are akin to rivers that flow in our body to flourish and irrigate the tissues in the body. When there is a blockage in the Meridian the energy can’t flow freely and it causes medical conditions to arise. Acupuncturist identifies the obstruction in the flow of energy and uses the needles to open back the passage of the Meridian for a smooth flow of energy, which will than, promote the body to heal itself internally naturally.

Modern explanation about the concept of acupuncture is that by placing the needles in specific parts of the body it stimulates the nervous system to produce chemicals, which is than released in vital parts of the body such as the brains, muscles and spinal cord. The chemicals help to reduce the feeling of pain or it sets off other chemicals and hormones that will stimulate the bodies own internal system to heal itself naturally.

Both the explanation emphasis on one factor, by using needles the healing process is triggered in the body naturally. Acupuncture also brings about a balance within the internal organs in the body that will eliminate problems in absorption, energy production and establish a better circulation of blood in the body.

The Acupuncture Process
Acupuncturists will first carry out a diagnosis before deciding on the treatment. The diagnosis is made based on the patient’s features, tongue, pulse, body odor, breathing patterns, body appearances and the sound of voice. The diagnosis will inform the acupuncturist about the seriousness of the medical condition of the patient. There is approximately 2000 acupuncture points in the body and the needles will be placed according to the diagnosis that is obtained.

The point that needs to observed here is that if we were to obtain a diagnosis in a hospital for a particular illness, there is always the pain staking process of blood sampling. Depending on the disease, there will be various tests taken that can be painful, also the test results will not be immediate whilst with acupuncture some people experience no pain at all, while others just feel a pinch.

Just because acupuncture is a classical art of healing it doesn’t mean that the treatment can only administered by a practitioner from an oriental background but there are also Western doctors who are trained and educated well in the art of acupuncture. This is known as Medical Acupuncture, which goes to indicate that acupuncture treatment can also be easily obtained even in Western countries. In today’s high tech world needs for natural healing are growing stronger day by day as more people become victims to stress and tension.

On the surface, acupuncture seems to be this perfect mode of treatment that can overrule modern medicine but the issue is whether it is as effective as modern medicine. Research has proven that acupuncture is in fact truly beneficial in treating medical conditions such as Headaches and neck pain, Musculoskeletal pain; that is pain, fatigue and discomfort in the abdomen, Dental pain, Backaches, Asthma, Pregnancy induced nausea or vomiting and Drug and alcohol abuse.

Currently acupuncture is being used to increase fertility in couples that experience reproduction problems and to help stroke patients. In the near future acupuncture will just not be an alternative method of treatment but has the opportunity of developing into the most desirable medical treatment if it can prove to treat chronic diseases such as cancer and heart diseases.

References:

1. http://www.medicalacupuncture.org

2. http://www.library.thinkquest.org