Off Topic: Vibram Five Fingers

Two of my favorite internet personalities, Tim Ferriss and Kevin Rose, teamed up to discuss the benefits of training with Vibram FiveFingers shoes. Props are also made to Injinji socks.



I often recommended that my clients periodically train without shoes. The research I've read suggests training barefoot can improve balance and increases strength in the foot and ankle.

Many clients are reluctant to train without their shoes, either because of personal habits or facility regulations. Vibrams may be the perfect compromise between training in a fully supported athletic shoe and training in no shoe at all. I have not tried this product personally yet, so I encourage you to share your thoughts and insights in the comments section below.

Quick Tip
If nothing else, take off your shoes and massage the soles of your feet with a foam roller. Even better, use a tennis ball (or other round, semi-hard object) on the bottoms of your feet and really work into the plantar fascia and other musculature down there. Massaging your feet in this manner adds maybe 4 minutes to your SMR routine and will be well worth the performance and health benefits.