Squats, shoes and body mechanics

[greyhair]

So, I'm getting ready to cycle back-in some squats into my leg day.
And I'm thinking about buying some new shoes to lift.
It occurred to me that the thickness of the heal could have some impact on how you squat and the effect of the squats on the leg.

I'm making an educated guess here, but I believe that the thinner the heal, the more the glutes can get engaged. The higher heal will engage the quads a little more.

I'm also guessing that a flat heal favors a really deep squat (hips way below the knee) over a higher heal (less vertical distance between hips and knee)

What do you think and why?


Also, any recommendations on a good low cost lifting shoe?
I like a very flexible sole. Make calf work much more effective IMHO.

[dmangiarelli]

It sounds to me like you are looking for a wrestling shoe. I see several guys in my gym use them on leg day. Thin sole, and high on the ankle.

For me, I like the support of a sturdy shoe (bad ankles) and so I use a high top with plenty of support...

[grace_ou]

Chucks 40 bucks best lifting shoes ever..

I have several pairs of oly shoes paid over $140 a pair and I still like the chucks better.. I lift better flat footed though. I like to get as close to bare foot as possible.

[Arlecchino]

OP, correct on all points.

I prefer CT's over wrestling shoes because the sole is reinforced around the edges, so if you push your feet outward (spread the floor (no Myagi)) your feet do not shift as they do for wrestling shoes.

If you want to squat with a closer stance, and favor more quad involvement, addistar's are great, but pricey.

Number one thing to avoid is a stupid damn squishy sole.

[greyhair]

Originally Posted by Arlecchino

OP, correct on all points.

I prefer CT's over wrestling shoes because the sole is reinforced around the edges, so if you push your feet outward (spread the floor (no Myagi)) your feet do not shift as they do for wrestling shoes.

If you want to squat with a closer stance, and favor more quad involvement, addistar's are great, but pricey.

Number one thing to avoid is a stupid damn squishy sole.

Yeah, the running shoe sole is a problem.

Just to make sure,
We're talking about these, right?


Looks like they might fit the bill.
Pretty close to the ground and a very flexible sole and I'm pretty sure I can get them cheap.

[Old-Time-Lifter]

I need to dig out my old lifting shoes. They are the old style red and white, I don't remember who made them? Maybe York imported them I don't remember? Used to be advertised in PL USA.

[woodlake]

VS Athletics has a pretty good lifting shoe, I think they are about $75.00 which is not too bad. They are not as nice as the Adidas or Nike but they are less than half the price.

[Nikonguy]

Charles Hollis Taylor's..........C-h-u-c-k-s

Who's gonna argue with Grace?

[musclegym2]

The Nike free is also an option good feel close to the ground, no extras.

[SR800]

This from wally world, very durable and unknowingly purpose build for squats, the Airspeed Diego or Legend II

http://www.planetshoes.com/mmplanet/...119_detail.jpg

[Leinenkugels]

Originally Posted by grace_ou

Chucks 40 bucks best lifting shoes ever..

I have several pairs of oly shoes paid over $140 a pair and I still like the chucks better.. I lift better flat footed though. I like to get as close to bare foot as possible.

Seconded. I have also used Sambas for when I squat and go for a light run right afterwards. I don't like running in Chucks - personal preference. I found the flats or barefoot really helped with my squating stability and staying back on heels and not leaning forward. Especially - front and OH squats.

[Marius_Ursus]

I squat in beach combers. I haven't used Chuck Taylors or wrestling shoes, but I've read many times on dragondoor that they're both excellent choices.

[Griff79]

I do my leg work in my Timberland work boots. I like the hard sole with little give or compression. After all these years the heel is about 1/2 inch so I don't think it makes much of a difference. They have good support if I want to lace them up but I usually only go half way up and they provide good grip on any surface.

Griff

[jsmircich]

I have the Otomix Extreme Trainer Pro. Pricey, but I only use them in the gym so I don't wear them out as quick as I do regular sneaks. They are not as good for cardio. Otomix doesn't seem to carry them anymore, but they have them on bb.com. I'll probably try the Ultimate Trainer next. I needed a high type due to extremely messed up feet (extra bones causing no arch) which led to weak ankes. Now it's such a habit to wear high tops that a regular cut sneak feels awkward.

http://bodybuilding.com/store/tshirt...tremeshoe.html

http://bodybuilding.com/store/tshirt...trainshoe.html

[widebody195]

I use a pair of flat soled (non cleated) Kipsta soccer shoes for squat work. The thin flat sole doesn't compress like crosstrainers; they provide decent support and they look cool besides.

[ALBPM]

Puma First Round - nice flat sole minimal padding so very solid for squats and leg presses.

[Old-Time-Lifter]

My wife found my old lifting shoes last week, I haven't had a chance to clean them up yet. I will do so tonight though as I'm planning doing squats this evening and I'm looking forward to using them again.

[GoOrange]

You want a shoe with a low, flat heel.

Of all the threads I've seen on this topic, the most common replies that fit the bill are:

-Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars
-Soccer shoes like the Addidas Samba Classic
-Nike Free running shoes (check the models out carefully, some have more heel cushion than others)
-Skate sneakers (like Vans)
-Dedicated lifting shoes (sold at specialty shops, expensive and not much use for anything else)

Personally, I use the skate shoes. They've got a nice flat sole and I wear them out and about on occasion as well.

Traditional running shoes are probably the worse. Cross trainers can be bad as many of them have a hefty heel.

[greyhair]

So,

I finally bought a new pair.
Here they are



I haven't squatted with them yet.
We'll see how it goes.

[Nikonguy]

U stylin' now Gh!

[greyhair]

Originally Posted by Nikonguy

U stylin' now Gh!

LAMOROLF Nikonguy.
Obvioiusly, a "tongue in cheek" comment.
The last time I was stylin' was ahh....... Never.

More seriously, I did some squats (sets of ten) with the new flat sneaker.
I'm afraid it made less of a difference than I had hoped.
I'm trying some 15s tomorrow. We'll see how that goes.

OTOH, standing calfs with the soft sole were much different.
I suspect that since the foot is flat with no lift at the heal, the range of motion is greater by about 1/2"
That may not sound like much, but the whole range of motion for the movement can't be much more than 3" so 1/2" makes a difference.

[Fitness-Treff]

Im 42 Years old, I Like Bodybuilding-Training. My Body is Ok with German Nutrition, Minerals and Vitamins. Every Day nothing Sports ist a loos day. MY English ist not so good, greetings from Germany

[greyhair]

Originally Posted by Fitness-Treff

Im 42 Years old, I Like Bodybuilding-Training. My Body is Ok with German Nutrition, Minerals and Vitamins. Every Day nothing Sports ist a loos day. MY English ist not so good, greetings from Germany

FT,

Wie Gehts! Willkommen.
Ich verstehe ein wenig deutsch.
Aber,
Dies ist eine au?ergew?hnliche Ort sagen hello.
Vielleicht im Forum uber 35Jar.

[gforcecorp]

Good info here...