*** The 2011 Gym Rats Thread ***

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Caporegime
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just did some extensive reading on barefoot walking/running, etc. it seems as though there is a strong chance my professional physiotherapist is wrong.

i have now came to the conclusion that, i should throw out all of my shoes and only wear vibram five fingers or go barefoot whenever possible.

shoes are causing the problem, and most likely what caused me to have collapsed arches and, since wearing insoles i have actually developed severe pains in my good knee, i mean so much pain i struggled to stand on it.

barefoot is a lot healthier for your foot, joints, bones and knee's. by going barefoot it forces you to walk, run and lift properly, the way the body was designed to do so.

read below for more information:

So, if you feel that I am wrong about recommending Vibrams to people with your condition, please read these articles written by and about people with flat feet and collapsed arches who ran in Vibrams without issues and even found their legs and feet much stronger and healthier and even gaining their arches back. I beg you, I beg you, I beg you not to pass judgment without reading each of these articles. I have quoted a few specific quotes from the articles in this post, but each article contains more information:

http://venutip.com/content/flat-footed-runner-tries-vibram-fivefingers


People in this thread state that their feet actually adapted and began to have arches:
http://birthdayshoes.com/forum/five...ussion/flat-feet-and-the-vibram-five-fingers/


This man had "clinically-diagnosed arch problems as a child -- flat feet supreme -- and was prescribed not only custom orthopedic insoles but also exercises for the feet themselves, rolling up towels with the toes, etc."
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tim-ferriss/the-barefoot-alternative_b_207121.html

He reported these results after wearing the VFFs:
"Needless to say, the exercises fell by the wayside, and I took to increasing levels of support through the shoes themselves. VFFs have been nothing short of spectacular for me, despite my history of flat feet.

Barefoot runners are often asked "but what do you use for arch support?", to which they respond: "your arches". I've found that my arches, and foot as a whole, feels better with less support rather than more."


This article:
http://buyvibrams.com/why-buy-vibrams/vibram-five-fingers-and-flat-feet

Says that
Many people who want to buy Vibram Five Fingers or other 5 finger shoes are concerned because they have flat feet or a collapsed arch. It’s easy to see how this could raise some concern, but there’s good news. Barefoot running actually helps people with flat feet.

A collapsed arch, or flat feet, can be caused by improper running form. When you slip on a pair of 5 finger shoes, you are forced to correct your stride. The arch in your foot is actually composed of a series of muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The arch is supposed to be there to help absorb the impact of running. When you are wearing a traditional running shoe, you completely eliminate the need for that arch since it is molded into the shoe.

Take this as a comparison. If you were to wear a cast on your hand for 18 years, would your hand have any strength? The answer is no, your hand would likely be held to whatever form it has been held in for 18 years.

To get back to the point, Vibram Five Fingers actually aid people with flat feet. Many people have recovered from a collapsed arch or developed one by changing their running style. With 5 finger shoes, the runner is unable to run on their heel, and subsequently run on the balls of their feet. In turn, the lower leg muscles and muscles in the feet are strengthened.

A Harvard Professor has reviewed the health benefits of barefoot running and shared it with Nature Video. We suggest you watch his video; Harvard Professor’s View of Barefoot Running




http://www.runblogger.com/2011/01/stories-of-success-running-in-vibram.html

This one says that
"Almost two years ago, according to a podiatrist, I had posterior-tibialis insertional tendonitis. He recommended more support and rest, but even with my urging didn't check wear pattern or watch me run. Although flat footed, I am pretty neutral. I think the injury came from an "update" to a favorite shoe. The "update" had an increased heel-forefoot drop, increased arch support and stiffened midsole. My guess is that rather than too little support, there was too much support and pressure on the posterior tibial tendon at the navicular bone, but who knows?

After a few weeks of rest, I decided to go 180 degrees from the recommendation. I got rid of my shoes and insoles and switched to Vibram Fivefingers KSOs. Within two months I had adopted a midfoot/forefoot landing and was running 15 miles on concrete/asphalt in my KSOs. I alternated the KSOs with neutral trainers and racing flats.

About 9 months ago, I retired my KSOs and started running about 80% of my miles in my new Bikilas, including 18 mile long runs and speed workouts. The remainder of my runs have been in racing flats and barefoot. I now believe that starting out barefoot would have been even more helpful. I’ve had no additional injuries (still have 10 year chronic high hamstring tendinopathy...but that’s another story). It’s now cold, icy and snowy here in Chicago, so I’m primarily using my flats (even tried a trail shoe for a few runs) until it warms up."





Here is:
http://www.supplementreviews.com/vibram/five-fingers
A review of VFFs (they were given 10/10 for weightlifting and a 10/10 for running) by a person with "fairly flat feet and generally poor posture, but my Vibrams are very comfortable and I’ve noticed that my posture has greatly improved during my cardio sessions. Additionally the burn throughout my calves during these workouts is FAR more intense and satisfying."



I found ARTICLE after ARTICLE written by people with YOUR condition who reported much healthier feet, arches growing back, less pain in their feet and other joints, better run times, and so on. Tons of benefits for people with YOUR specific condition.

Now, on to the other thing mentioned. Many people recommend the VFFs for squats and deadlifts because MOST people who train want a shoe that is good for that AND running/doing cardio. This is where the VFFs excel over proper lifting shoes.

Also keep in mind, I am not recommending flat shoes for you (or anyone). I am essentially recommending no shoes.


The good news is, I may have found you a cure.
 
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Soldato
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Hmmm..I have a predicament guys!

I'm going away next Thursday....Morning at 2am...I normally do a three day split Mon/Weds/Fri....Shall I try and squeeze them all in at the begining of the week or just leave it next week? And carry on after

Just miss Friday's session, it's not worth obsessing over and won't makea difference =)
 
Soldato
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when you cant even trust specialists in hospitals at their own trade, who can you trust?

tbh i would be better off googling how to treat myself in future than go to my GP.

From my few experiences with doctors, I would have to agree that self diagnosis and treatment (except for maybe brain surgery and major invasive surgery) is the way to go.
 
Caporegime
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From my few experiences with doctors, I would have to agree that self diagnosis and treatment (except for maybe brain surgery and major invasive surgery) is the way to go.

i got slated for saying GP's were thick in GD, but its true, its as if we are all on a conveyor belt and their job is to get us out the door as soon as possible without even taking anything we say into account, because they know best.
 
Soldato
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i got slated for saying GP's were thick in GD, but its true, its as if we are all on a conveyor belt and their job is to get us out the door as soon as possible without even taking anything we say into account, because they know best.

I know what you mean. I think one of the main problems is a NHS that is struggling and broken. Doctors have such short time allocations to see each patient that you just get the generic answers/solutions regardless of if they aren't right for you.

But I have also come across plenty of doctors who don't listen at all, have poor bedside manners and generally seem clueless. Fortunately I have never needed to use the medical system much at all.
 
Caporegime
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I know what you mean. I think one of the main problems is a NHS that is struggling and broken. Doctors have such short time allocations to see each patient that you just get the generic answers/solutions regardless of if they aren't right for you.

But I have also come across plenty of doctors who don't listen at all, have poor bedside manners and generally seem clueless. Fortunately I have never needed to use the medical system much at all.

the best one is dentists too, my old one gave me a filling (this was when i was under 16). i went to a new dentist 10 years later told him my filling fell out a few years back and now whenever i eat anything sweet, it gets stuck in the hole and it is painful. what does the dentist say, "hmmmmm, tbh i wouldnt even bother filling it tbh, it wasnt a proper filling and if i re-did it, it's likely to fall out again." WTF??? so my old dentist just put it there for the fun of it because they had nothing better to do with their time and im now in pain for no reason? i was so mad, i had to grit my teeth (excuse the pun) and just forget it, i know there was no point asking twice as if he did do it, his heart wouldn't be in it and likely do something wrong on purpose like pull the full tooth out.
 
Associate
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First session for 3 weeks due to holidays and no access to the gym. Did a full body workout just to ease myself back in - blasted out some really good form/weight squats, bench press, pull ups and some shoulder work.

Skipped the deadlifts because I very slightly tweaked my Achilles on the squats, but it seems 100% fine now.

Happy to be back ;)
 
Man of Honour
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I'll stick my squat video here as it'll get noticed more, that and the other thread is a picture thread :p


Thats less than 50kg...Yes, pants but it's my first leg session after 6 months off I think :o...And even then I was only doing something like 35kg due to not having any kind of rack
Sorry, had this open in a tab and forgot about it :o

- knees come too far forward
- weight translates to front of foot resulting in heels coming up

Can't see anything else from that angle.

Aim to sit back a lot more, and possibly have the bar slightly lower on your back.

Try this:
but with your feet way more parallel than that guy.

Progress until your toes are 2" away from the wall and your knees still don't touch it.



Edit: just saw your BOR form. Main problem, the bar isn't moving vertically. Impressive, but wrong ;)
 
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Man of Honour
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First session for 3 weeks due to holidays and no access to the gym. Did a full body workout just to ease myself back in - blasted out some really good form/weight squats, bench press, pull ups and some shoulder work.

Skipped the deadlifts because I very slightly tweaked my Achilles on the squats, but it seems 100% fine now.

Happy to be back ;)
Seems like my previous post might be relevant to you as well, because you really shouldn't be bending at your ankle enough to strain your achilles.

Also, I deadlifted with a sprained ankle, man up :p
 
Associate
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Yeh it does seem relevant, my knees come forward a lot, but it's the only way I've found without overbalancing backwards. I'm still working on flexibility for squats until my technique is 100%, it is however a lot better than it used to be, I'll attempt to take a video when I next squat (over a week as the weights room is closed for refurb...)

Edit: Not even sure if it was the squats, just I registered it after doing them and stretching after, quite possibly did something before/after
 
Soldato
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This is not helping my bulk; epic food poisoning :/ thrown up ten times so far today and can't see that being the last one! Feeling absolutely terrible, and really cannot stomach the idea of eating food atm :/
 
Soldato
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Right, I think I will give this insulin control/diet jobby a go starting this week once I have finished what's in the fridge.

Should I post my queries in this thread or the diet thread as it looks like it will need quite a bit of planning?
 
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Caporegime
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when you cant even trust specialists in hospitals at their own trade, who can you trust?

tbh i would be better off googling how to treat myself in future than go to my GP.

I was having eye spasms, so I went to my GP...Had various theorys, had MRI scans, the lot. All came back fine. He then went on to tell me why I was at the GP for a 'follow up'...Then carried on to tell me that nothing can be done and I need to live with it because there is nothing he can do.

So...I went to the opticians and within twenty minutes they told me what my issue was....Since then i've had far less spasms :)

Silly gp's :o

Just miss Friday's session, it's not worth obsessing over and won't makea difference =)

True...Did think that

just do a 2 day split

monday - upper body
tuesday - lower body

leaving wednesday as a day of rest before leaving.

Or this.....Turns out I have no car on Monday now though...so hmmm

Sorry, had this open in a tab and forgot about it :o

- knees come too far forward
- weight translates to front of foot resulting in heels coming up

Can't see anything else from that angle.

Aim to sit back a lot more, and possibly have the bar slightly lower on your back.

Try this:
but with your feet way more parallel than that guy.

Progress until your toes are 2" away from the wall and your knees still don't touch it.

Edit: just saw your BOR form. Main problem, the bar isn't moving vertically. Impressive, but wrong ;)

Too far forward? How do you mean? I'll check the vid in a second though...Are you basically wanting me to 'lean' back more on to my heals?

However, I will try to get the bar lower :)

And yeah...Been told about the BOR form...shh :p ;)
 
Man of Honour
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Basically you want to maintain an almost vertical shin.

This means sticking your bum out a lot more and "sitting back", which possibly requires more hamstring/glute flexibility than you currently have (could also just be a technique issue though). But yes, for deads and squats you want to be pushing through your heels.

Incidentally, this probably means front squatting would come quite naturally to you because your ankle mobility is excellent.
 
Caporegime
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Basically you want to maintain an almost vertical shin.

This means sticking your bum out a lot more and "sitting back", which possibly requires more hamstring/glute flexibility than you currently have (could also just be a technique issue though). But yes, for deads and squats you want to be pushing through your heels.

Incidentally, this probably means front squatting would come quite naturally to you because your ankle mobility is excellent.

Have thought about front squats...May give them a try next week :)

Also...I find if I try to stick my bum back...I would no doubt just topple backwards :o...I have balance like a badger on a tightrope :p

Oh and ta for the comment about ankle flexibility :p...They don't bend too well the other way mind! Although i'm doing exercises for that
 
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