Weightlifting or flat soled shoes for squatting

[tank]

Originally Posted by JTurner

Tried out my old flat squat shoes last night and it feels better, for now. Since going heavy with the heels I've picked up a few knee tweaks, probably through a form fault as I seem more prone to shift weight towards my toes with them. Filmed a light set of each and there is no difference in depth, just a more upright torso position with the heel.

hmmm. then some questions would be:

1) what's safest
2) what's more comfortable
3) what will help you lift more at the 1RM range

your form will change as the weight you lift increases. i would continue experimenting between the two until you know which is personally preferrable at maximal weights, which is where you want to end up.

[JTurner]

Originally Posted by tank

hmmm. then some questions would be:

1) what's safest
2) what's more comfortable
3) what will help you lift more at the 1RM range

your form will change as the weight you lift increases. i would continue experimenting between the two until you know which is personally preferrable at maximal weights, which is where you want to end up.

Pretty much the thoughts that go through my mind. Flat takes 1) and 2) right now. I'll be squatting properly tomorrow, not sure what up to but it'll give me an idea of 3).

[tank]

Originally Posted by JTurner

Pretty much the thoughts that go through my mind. Flat takes 1) and 2) right now. I'll be squatting properly tomorrow, not sure what up to but it'll give me an idea of 3).

just remember that sacrificing 1 and 2 for 3 could make for a shorter lifting career!

[5kgLifter]

Originally Posted by Fazc

I tried a heeled shoe, Do-Wins. Ended up with some additional knee stress. It makes sense that the heel should work, but I could never get it right.

Perhaps I'll try it later today when I wrap up with high-bar.

Could be that the heel is too high on those shoes, for you, or too low, of course. I read that people have to experiment to get the right heel height, from the permitted range, which is 1/2 to 1 inch (?? not sure).

[TitanCT]

when youre heels are lifted off the ground it tends to put a little more stress on your quads, flatter the foot, more even the tension across your legs. a good friend of mine actually squats in wrestling shoes that have a slightly raised section on the ball of the foot. we're talking like a quarter of an inch, but he prefers to squat that way.

the issue in squatting in runnin shoes or softer crosstraining style sneakers is simple. the rubber is soft and unstable. if you currently squat in running shoes, i dare you to try a set in your socks or barefoot. i'd bet money you'll feel stronger and more stable.

the reason combat boots work for squats is because the rubber on the soles is very hard and durable.