The Official Gym & Fitness Thread

What kind of socks do you wear? If its cotton its time to change it up. Other than with my work boots I couldnt tell you the last time I wore cotton socks. synthetic blends FTW

I have two pair of merrell and two pair of inov8. My merrell's get the most use by far.

Merrell Men's Bare Access 2 Running Shoe

Bare access 2 Lifting, running, trail races, casual. They do take time to get use to though. Most people are use to thick healed shoes with tons of support. Minimal shoes require more foot, ankle, calf strength and flexability so when starting out its best to alternate regular shoes and minimal shoes to condition your body for them.

If I workout at home with the kettelbell I go barefoot to help strengthen my feet also.

 

I don't wear socks with them usually but when I do, its smart wool.



This is what I have...

 

Man, I've been wanting to try some of the Merrells. Right now I mainly use the Reebok CrossFit Nano Speeds, but I ordered them online and they're about a half size too big.

How is the insole and the heel on the Merrells? I need something pretty soft that can help me absorb a lot of heel impact. We do a lot of running, and I am currently 230 lbs.

 

I wouldn't say that opposite muscles are being used. Your hamstrings and hip flexors play a HUGE role in your front squat, as well as your deadlift. I would try hitting your FS on a different day. How much/how often do you vary your weight/set/rep scheme on your FS? Do you ever incorporate any other form of squat? i.e. box squats, rest-pause, etc?

 

holy shit

You must not be doing legs hard enough lol. To test it, do legs. 2 days later, take a shit. If you can get off the toilet without screaming in agony or falling to the floor, you're not doing legs hard enough.

 

Got 285 again today. I was scared to try 290. I had just done 225 for 10, so my form is a little sloppy. Also, omit my arms...genetics are a bitch

EDIT: Does anyone know how to get the video to post straight to here? I did the standard URL like I would for a pic

 

actually minimalist shoes solved alot of my foot/knee problems
i only get blisters or rubbing if i run more than 5 miles.....but if i want to do that, i'll just wear socks with them

 

You must not be doing legs hard enough lol. To test it, do legs. 2 days later, take a shit. If you can get off the toilet without screaming in agony or falling to the floor, you're not doing legs hard enough.[/QUOTE]

two days after I do legs I look like a baby deer stumbling about. Its hard to get into my truck sometimes hahahaha

 

that's symptoms of a proper leg day, my friend!

 

Yeah its a love hate relationship

 

I wear the Trailrunners in the gym as well.

 

If you want a soft sole I would say stay far away from minimal shoes then. Running in minimal shoes requires you to land on your forefoot. Heal strikes are a no no and will destroy your knees if you try them with barefoot/minimal shoes.
I would suggest the brooks pure flow. less heal than most shoes but a step in the right direction towards minimal. I have a pair and my feet feel like they are wrapped in pillows compared to my merrells and inov8's

Most shoes have around a 12mm drop (difference between heal and toe). The merrells I use have 4mm drop.

Nice shoes. Start using socks and I bet it will help. I have actualy been using Targets brand of poly blend socks with great results. I also have some

Injinji - 2012 - Performance Lightweight No-Show Toesocks, Black , Medium

Injinji's that are awesome. They look silly and feel kinda strange without shoes on but as soon as you put your shoes on they feel normal.

I was pretty damn weak after todays workout. Kinda hard to stand and balance after hamstring curls.

Foam roller ftw

 

I get called a bro a lot but after running with the vibrams for awhile...

when I'd PT with the battalion, we'd do 10-15 miles a week, and I had ridiculous shin splints...and my 2mile time was around 7 mins

I run about 20-25 miles a week with the vibrams, and have yet to get any shin splints because of how they force you to change your running style

worth a shot IMO

 

I love foam rollers. If I don't have trouble walking two days after leg day, I know I didn't do them good enough

 

Damn. That's around my 1 mile time.

 

yep. Changed my thoughts on running all together. I use to hate it, shin splints all the time. I started using merrells and after the initial calf soreness from forefoot landing I was worry free.

 

Screw both of yall lol!!! In high school, I played soccer and got down to a 6:30 mile. I was also 5'11'' and 140 lbs lol. 6 years later, I'm 5'11'' and 200 and doing about a 9 min mile lol. I should really be doing more cardio

 

best lightweight minimalist shoes i've had are New Balance MT10 and Sketchers Go Bionic Trail

they are both awesome, but if you've never worn a barefoot style shoe, the NBs will shred your calves.....after the 1st time i ran in them, my calves were in knots for days

 

my miles is probably at 12 right now