>> |
Anonymous
Due to insoles, you're effectively isolated from using the force of your foot muscle contractions except the very last one that pushes you upward. With just the minimum amount of padding, you can run as forward and high as your body was built to go. It lets you run more intensely without tiring yourself out as quickly since you're using compound muscle groups with every step, meaning quicker leg muscle gains all around.
Onto the last point now: the rigid shape of sole between toes and upper foot in regular shoes doesn't give you the full benefit of using your digits' specific calve-long muscle in running--the sole forces you to use primarily the big toe and 2nd toe to push off, which is what builds your common calve muscle. When you use all digits, you form some good definition alongside the bigger calve muscle too, and it's entirely functional. In vibrams, you're free to run barefoot as nature intended, except you're protected from debris due to the tough yet flexible rubber sole.
And here's the part of the review that might mean something to you. I'm an ex-marathon runner, I lost significant weight via running in regular shoes (50lb). I lived by those shoes and refused to toss them even with so many holes and dirt infecting them. But I took the leap to vibrams anyways, because my sister's boyfriend got them one day and I was intrigued by why someone would run in them. So a month ago, I started doing HIIT with the vibrams for the first time. My lungs didn't really care, but boy did those things give my leg muscles a workout.
|