Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

2

So...

I was at my university gym today, doing some muscle ups wearing my VFF.

After a while, someone who worked there came over to me and said VFF is not allowed due to safety reasons. I've never heard anything like it before, and I would like to know what their reasons are.

Here goes my question:

Is there any reports showing increased risk of foot injury in a weightlifting room compared to "one pocket" shoes?

I have problems seeing why, unless the "one pocket" shoe is a safety shoe.

If anybody here knows anything, either for or against, I would like to see the report/paper on it.

BTW: Chalk, which is used for safety reasons, is not allowed either.

Thanks, frustrated weightlifter.

flag	asked Sep 9 2011 at 21:43 Lars 1,402●3●14

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They can't be concerned about dropping weight on your feet, can they? It seems silly, but I can't think of any other reason... – lindsey Sep 9 2011 at 22:07

Unless you are wearing motogp boots you will be screwed no matter what. – saiklón Sep 9 2011 at 22:25

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P.S. This reminds me of John Durant's post on his Crossfit gym telling him that he couldn't go barefoot for hygiene reasons. As if shoes that are worn on the streets of NYC are more hygienic than the barefeet that come out of those shoes! Ridiculous. – gilliebean♦ Sep 9 2011 at 23:26

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This gym is included in my tuition, and is located 400m from my residence. Other gyms would cost me a whole lot, and since I'm a student I can not afford it. – Lars Sep 10 2011 at 0:11

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I just joined the YMCA instead on the other gym in my area. No chalk there, either. Sucks. Get some chuck taylors man, decent for lifting. Minimal, as far as normal footwear goes. And it'll get the gym dorks off your back. – ben61820 Sep 10 2011 at 1:37

show 3 more comments

Katherine · Answer 1 · 2011-09-09 23:44:31Z UTC

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Great article:

Getting Vibrams Unbanned from Your Gym http://www.awesomebymystandards.com/2010/07/gym-nazi-defense-101-unbanning-your-vibram-fivefingers-from-your-local-gym/

answered Sep 9 2011 at 23:44

Katherine
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Thank you Katherine! A very good article! – Lars Sep 10 2011 at 0:09

Ambimorph · Answer 2 · 2011-09-09 22:08:37Z UTC

The first time I wore VFFs to a fitness class, the teacher gave me a really hard time, saying I needed proper support to do her class (it was step aerobics). She relented when I told her I would take full responsibility for it, and stop if it hurt, etc.

Funnily enough, a year later I heard her explaining to someone else about Vibrams, barefoot running, and how it can help with posture and foot strength.

So, if your experience is like mine, maybe it's just that they are basing safety on the idea that you need support. Maybe you should ask them their reasons, and if it is this then take them some articles.

Carrisa · Answer 3 · 2011-09-09 22:13:12Z UTC

sigh I'm a Group Fitness Instructor, so I work in multiple gyms... ALL of them frown on VFFs "due to safety reasons", however, one of the members just dropped a 45lb weight on his foot.. he was wearing one-pockets... and the weight broke his toe. IMO: If you are gonna drop a weight on your foot, it does not matter what kind of shoe you are wearing, it's gonna leave a mark!! lol I wear my VFFs too and get frowned upon. I think People are reluctant to change. However, in the last month, FOUR of my students have switched to VFFs... so soon, we shall conquer :)

Omnomnivore · Answer 4 · 2011-09-09 22:18:51Z UTC

It's probably like anything else; people base their opinions and rules on conventional wisdom, and right now conventional wisdom says you need a thick sole and lots of support for a proper, safe shoe. As more research is done into barefooting, this could change. Places like gyms are (almost) always going to default to the lowest common denominator when it comes to safety, since people don't like taking personal responsibility anymore and they are afraid of getting sued.

Happy Now · Answer 5 · 2011-09-09 22:40:03Z UTC

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The only safety thing I can think of is if there is a lot of equipment held up on poles you could potentially hit one just right so as to make your toes to the splits. I am a somewhat clutzy lady, and have broken several toes by getting them snagged on chair legs, so a single pocket shoe would prevent your toes from catching on anything, but that's all I can think of, and seems unlikely with moderately coordinated people.

edited Sep 9 2011 at 22:40

answered Sep 9 2011 at 22:25

Happy Now
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Lol, I've totally done this with my Vibrams! I work at a gym and, although dropping a weight would mess your foot up one way or another, a snagged toe is a Vibram specific injury. – FED at LiveCaveman.com Sep 10 2011 at 0:51

There was a photo I saw about why the military doesn't allow VFFs with a pine cone stuck between someone's toes. That seems like a bit of a stretch to me though. Snagging on some sort of artillery tripod seems much more likely. – Happy Now Sep 10 2011 at 1:48

Daniel Kirsner · Answer 6 · 2011-09-10 02:01:36Z UTC

Did you tell him that VFFs are http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_clothing essential to your faith, Minimology, and that he needs to practice religious tolerance lest you and your fellow Minimologists file a religious discrimination lawsuit naming him and the university as co-defendants?

skm · Answer 7 · 2011-09-10 01:32:43Z UTC

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I work at a University Recreation Center that doesn't allow VFFs. (Which makes me really sad considering that I own a pair and can't even wear them at my own gym). It's truly more of a liability issue than a safety issue. Not exactly sure of the details regarding the liability specifics though.

answered Sep 10 2011 at 1:32

skm
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There aren't any. They truly make that shit up. Besides, liability is (purportedly) based on safety. – Katherine Sep 10 2011 at 9:49

David Csonka · Answer 8 · 2011-09-10 14:54:06Z UTC

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They gym people don't have "reasons".

They're just ignorant meatheads.

So they make up asinine arguments like "safety" reasons.

As if their pair of Nike Free's will protect their dainty toes from 30 pounds of iron.

answered Sep 10 2011 at 14:54

David Csonka
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mth · Answer 9 · 2011-09-09 23:20:49Z UTC

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Next time you're at the gym, you should ask the worker that told you not to wear the VFFs. Then answer your own question here so that if there is a valid reason, we will know and not be guessing.

Thanks.

answered Sep 9 2011 at 23:20

mth
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The worker did not have a valid reason. – Lars Sep 10 2011 at 0:03

Amberlie · Answer 10 · 2011-09-09 23:22:08Z UTC

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I thought about getting them so I could transition to barefoot running, but decided against it. My older sibs both don't wear them to the gym. I'm pretty sure they aren't allowed at our gym.

answered Sep 9 2011 at 23:22

Amberlie
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Erin H · Answer 11 · 2011-09-10 01:37:17Z UTC

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Can you ask to speak with the owner and manager?

answered Sep 10 2011 at 1:37

Erin H
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James Hooper · Answer 12 · 2011-09-10 07:59:04Z UTC

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Glue some foam to the top of your Vibrams? Or develop a line of "Steel Cap" Vibrams Safety Boots?

Good luck.

answered Sep 10 2011 at 7:59

James Hooper
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Vibram fivefingers beeing more dangerous than other shoes in a gym?

12 Answers