Talk to me about weight lifting shoes

[Regiment]

Currently wear some flat, minimalist running shoes for squats and deadlifts.

So my height and slightly stiff ankles, when I squat low, I'm folding myself up so put a lot of weight on my lower back. Tried squatting today with a 2.5kg plate beneath each heel and it felt like night and day, back was a lot more vertical, hit my quads a bit more and felt comfortable, so...weight lifting shoes, who uses them and what are your experiences with using them for squats and deadlifts?

[Halb]

Have you tried to give your ankles greater mobility?

http://www.strengthcoach.com/public/1298.cfm

http://www.mikereinold.com/2013/03/ankle-mobility-...

[_bryan_]

I use steel toe cap working boots for squatting and deadlifts, made a massive difference to stability and the ability to "drive through the heels". I sometimes forget when warming up to change shoes and I notice it within the first rep of the first set, just don't feel as strong without them.

[goldblum]

Halb's bang on. Lack of ankle flexibilty can also lead to tibial rotation which, in turn, leads to knee valgus. Ever seen people squat and one knee or both start to wobble on the ascent? Heel lifts or weightlifting shoes go a long way to curing this.

Loads of stretches you can do... .

[Regiment]

Looking at the Nike Romaleos 2 which are getting great reviews but at £165, they're very expensive. I've heard bad things about using plates under my heels as it'll cause problems with my arches so won't be doing, anyone know of a cheaper weight lifting option, it'll purely be squats and deads.

[goldblum]

Something like this will do:



Perhaps sir would like something a bit more substantial? Like this:

[Regiment]

Problem with using plates and boards though is getting into position as well, with the squat rack I use, I need to take a big step back. Didnt want to have 165kg on my shoulders and then have to step back, get my heals on a bit of wood/plates and then squat

[Juanco20]

I've got these and they are great. My ankle is fubar at the moment (needs surgery, massively limited dorsiflexion) but they help massively. Looking forward to a time when I can use them with a fully functioning ankle

[didelydoo]

Try here, this is where I got mine- https://www.strengthshop.co.uk/lifting-shoes.html

I wear them for everything at the gym.

[Ordinary_Chap]

didelydoo said:

Try here, this is where I got mine- https://www.strengthshop.co.uk/lifting-shoes.html

I wear them for everything at the gym.

Thanks for posting.

Its good timing for me as my shoes are more than a little long in the tooth. I have a pair of trainers that are 5 years old (skinflint I know) and the other halfs dog bit a hole in the breathable layer which now means folk get to see my socks and I've been wondering what I should replace my trusty old trainers with as I'd like to be able to deadlift in them. I currently deadlift in my socks as trainers cause pain in the bottom of my feet.

I do like a lot of them but I can't bring myself to spending around £150 on some of the other trainers posted.

Lee

[didelydoo]

Ordinary_Chap said:

Thanks for posting.

Its good timing for me as my shoes are more than a little long in the tooth. I have a pair of trainers that are 5 years old (skinflint I know) and the other halfs dog bit a hole in the breathable layer which now means folk get to see my socks and I've been wondering what I should replace my trusty old trainers with as I'd like to be able to deadlift in them. I currently deadlift in my socks as trainers cause pain in the bottom of my feet.

I do like a lot of them but I can't bring myself to spending around £150 on some of the other trainers posted.

Lee

Strengthshop is a good port of call for pretty much anything training related, good prices too

[22s]

I have Pendlay Do-Wins (http://californiastrength.com/store/weightlifting-shoe-2011-pendlay-wl-yellow) and they are fantastic. Had them about 9 months now and wear them for everything from squats through to bench; you would be surprised what a difference they make to all your lifts.

The quality of the shoe is very good and I also find them very comfortable. Highly recommended.

As an aside, I train in a gym where a lot of GB Olympians do their thing and they mostly wear Adidas (although this could be because they are sponsored by them rather than them being the best shoes ). I have tried on a friend's pair of Adistars and they were very good - nice grip and felt very stable. The new Nike shoes are worn by one of the GB weightlifters but I think they look absolutely awful (although that shouldn't really matter).

[mu0n]

Asics Onitsuka Tigers.

Comfiest shoes for the gym ever !

[zax]

Aside from the risk of broken toes (although I don't think trainers provide any real protection from a dropped 25kg plate either) what's the general opinion on barefoot or minimal footwear when lifting? Recently I've been using my old feelmax shoe/sock things and rather like them. That said I have relatively flexible ankles and haven't been putting anything under my heels anyway...

[Halb]

I like my VFFs, I think they are ace for lifting weights. Squats, deadlifts and overhead press especially.

[Regiment]

I use my New Balance Minimus shoes for everything at the moment, all my running and lifting at the minute.

[Regiment]

https://www.strengthshop.co.uk/weightlifting/shoes...

Ordered me some of these just now since it's payday . Cheap and hopefully cheerful, just have them for squats so do deadlifting barefoot.

[Halb]

What high street store sell OL shoes?

[Art0ir]

Regiment said:

https://www.strengthshop.co.uk/weightlifting/shoes...

Ordered me some of these just now since it's payday . Cheap and hopefully cheerful, just have them for squats so do deadlifting barefoot.

How are you getting on with these? I squat low bar and considering a pair to help me stay more upright until I get my dorsiflexion where it should be.

[Halb]

Anyone?