What is your opinion on wearing shoes?

[Tallgirll22T]

Maybe it is because I am a country girl, but I don't like to wear shoes. So it shouldn't be surprising that I don't like to wear shoes when I train either. It is just awkward and hard to move sometimes. I like to feel the ground beneath me. I figure I am ok not wearing shoes when I kickbox, but what about when I am lifting weights? Is it really necessary to drag on super cute Brooks running/walking shoes with the super awesome arch support? I like doing weighted one-legged calf-raises off a step, as well as push ups and stuff that just isn't as pleasing while wearing those clunky shoes. However, if I could seriously hurt myself or high arches, I'd like to know about some evidence.

[Boss Man]

It's better to wear some kind of training shoes, particularly for the support when lifting weights, In humble opinion, especially as some gyms will have wooden floorboards, possibly with the odd splinter or two in them, or possibly quite rough abrasive carpeting, but also as some exercises will place strain on the feet like calf exercises, lunges etc, where you're getting dorsiflexion of the ankles or weight shifting onto one leg and also you can use a good training shoe or powerlifting shoe as a form of stabilistion too.

Walking without shoes as well will incrase the risk of damage to feet from hidden issues like occasional mild pain, small stones, rocks, small pieces of broken glass, but obviously you have taken such things into account.

[Tallgirll22T]

Yeah, I of course wear shoes when I walk/jog/run. This is embarassing but I actually broke a toe once because I was running a mile at a time without running shoes. I will look into shoes specifically for lifting or training as I don't like training in runners. Thanks.

[Zhaga]

I'm always wearing training shoes. At home enemy number one is the couch, IDK its normal to hit it and hurt toes once a day . And what you think after 2 hours in the gym I would hurt foot on all gym machines .. So training shoes are a must for me.....