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It’s no secret that barefoot running is having a serious moment right now. Those Vibram five-toed boots have become nearly as ubiquitous as yoga pants, and every major shoe manufacturer has rolled out some barefoot (or at least minimalist) shoe. A lot of people also run fully barefooted–including one guy at my gym the other day. Which is where I draw the line. More
If you’re a slightly nerdy runner like me—or if you’re one of thousands who’ve begun to wonder if the whole barefoot running trend is for you—it’s easy to geek out over foot strikes. Should you land on your forefoot, or should you land on your heel? Photos from BYU Biomechanics of the foot strikes of all 10k runners at the 2012 Olympic trials proves what I think is probably the best answer: That your foot should land however you damn well please. More
2011′s hottest shoe, the Vibram FiveFingers boot, is in some hot water–and not just because it’s a hideously-constructed shoe that’s somehow made it acceptable for young men to stride into a wine bar essentially barefoot. No, the maker of the ultra-popular footwear is being brought to court by a plaintiff who alleges that they’ve made false, baseless claims about the health benefits of barefoot running…and, by extension, their shoes. More
There’s a schism in the running world. On one side, there are the pure barefoot runners, who run on ultra-callused feet, unshod in rain or shine. On the other, there are “barefoot” runners (like yours truly), who don’t actually run on bare feet, but rather, in barefoot-style, minimalist running shoes, like these swanky Merrells we’re giving away. And, just in time, there’s a new study out, which indicates that a minimalist shoe may actually be more efficient than both a purely bare foot, and a foot clad in a heavier shoe. More
Since the New Year, we’ve been writing about barefoot running–and, more specifically, our love affair with the only cute zero-drop shoes we’ve ever found, the Merrell Dash Glove. Now, you can win a pair and try them out for yourself–because we’re giving away two pairs of Merrell barefoot running shoes to one lucky Blisstree reader. Read on to find out how to enter to win. More
About a month ago, Merrell was kind enough to send me a pair of their vegan-friendly Pace Glove minimalist/barefoot running shoes, which I’ve been using several times per week since then. Over the weekend, I was finally able to get back to my pre-minimalist distance, and it was amazing. If my shoes and I were friends on Facebook, this would be the time when we went from “It’s Complicated” to “In A Relationship,” because, while I was iffy at first, this style of running is tought…and really beneficial. But not for the reasons I initially thought. More
Continuing with our weekly column, “That Girl”, we are celebrating the accomplishments of real women who make health and fitness a priority because we know that true athletes come in all shapes, sizes, ages and athletic abilities from around the world. So this week we’re celebrating Shivella Rogers, an inspiring runner who not only runs barefoot (and injury free), but also juggles while she runs! She also reminds us of the importance of attitude and character, saying it’s way more important than speed and strength.
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Whether you love or hate the way these ultra-popular barefoot-style running shoes look, they’re a sign of the times–and for some, a status symbol of sorts, signifying their desire to live a more natural lifestyle. But when people become too focused on the fad–and not enough on the technique or potential for injury–they can get hurt in a hurry. Is it bad for you? No. But while barefoot and minimalist running is great for some people, it comes with more than a few caveats. More
Last week, I wrote about my first venture into minimalist running, which is also often called “barefoot“, despite the use of shoes. The trend, which the Daily Mail and Huffington Post both identified as one of the hottest of 2011, was too tempting not to step up to–especially since scientists are starting to pay more attention, too. Before barefoot running caught on, the risk of injury was hugely hyped. But after reading up on some opposition, and armed with the loads of feedback from readers about how to avoid injury, I think I’ve cracked the code for an effective, injury-free barefoot run. More
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In 2011, a lot of fitness trends gained steam–but one pulled ahead of the pack, and it didn’t have shoes on. This was definitely the year of barefoot running and barefoot shoes. But are we actually made to run unshod? Scientists have only just begun to study the impact of this trend–but that’s not stopping scores of folks, myself included, from jumping on the barefoot train. More
Prince Harry is visiting California, and on a recent shopping trip to The Marine Corps Exchange sporting goods store in San Diego, he picked up a pair of… More
I have a major frenemy in my life. And right now, we are definitely leaning more towards enemies than friends. To be perfectly honest, we’re in the midst of all-out war. My so-called “friend” has betrayed me. Let me down. Turned against me, yet again. Why I continue to trust her, I don’t know. Somehow, I keep thinking next time will be different.
Instead, it’s like clockwork. Every time I get ready to do something big, she retaliates. It’s like she gets jealous that she is not getting enough attention anymore. Like the inevitable battle between teens and parents, she want to be in control and have the final say on everything I do. Quite frankly, she behaves like a spoiled brat.
I am speaking, of course, about my Achilles. More
Get Inline – Pick the best rollerblades whether you’re a beginner or advanced, so you can torch calories and fat like a pro. (FitSugar)
Au Revoir, Madame Michaels – The Biggest Loser trainer talks about leaving the show, moving on to promote her motivational book, and develop her family life. (That’s Fit)
Dairy-Free Protein, 101 – Read it, print it, and take it to the store: This vegan protein bar breakdown will save your last-minute breakfast or lunch. (MindBodyGreen) More
Fashion isn’t one of our strongest areas of expertise (for that, we recommend our sister site, TheGloss), but when we spotted Vibram FiveFingers’ 2011 Fall collection, what little fashion sense we do have was extremely offended. Call us stuck-up New Yorkers, but we think there’s a time and a place for fitness gear. We like the comfort of an elastic waistband as much as anyone else, but we don’t wear sweatpants outside the gym. And lululemon makes some pretty fashionable duds (however ethically or ecologically evil they may be), but we’re smart enough to know that yoga pants at work isn’t a good look. Vibram FiveFingers shoes are no exception. More
