Running Barefoot on a Treadmill (Read 615 times)

Has anyone ever tried this? I read on another forum where a person actually tried this while rehabbing an injury. I would never try this because to me this doesn't sound like a safe thing to do. Also the Treadmill I run on is at my local YMCA, and one of their regulations is that proper footwear is required at all times.

Never tried barefoot on a treadmill, mostly because I hate treadmills. Did an 8 miler barefoot yesterday outside, though. I'm doing about 20 miles per week barefoot, and another 20 in Vibram FiveFingers. Adding barefoot running to my training has been a huge benefit for me. My form, balance, lower-leg strength, and efficiency are all much better, and all knee pains went away. Obviously you need to start out very slow and be smart about it -- your feet are extremely weak and wimpy compared to the rest of you if you've always worn shoes. Going barefoot means starting from scratch again. goddess9, everyone's ankles roll to some extent on landing. Pronation is natural and necessary. Some people overpronoate, and some underpronate, which can cause problems. When you're barefoot, you get much more feedback from your feet which makes it easier to find your natural form. Running shoes are designed to control pronation, which gives the muscles that are supposed to control it nothing to do, and makes them weak.

Good article in new Runner's World (one with Ryan Hall on cover) on Vibram FiveFingers...