Barefoot and Balanced

I was training a brand new client recently with a balance and agility focus and a thought came to me - a barefoot thought actually. He's a hiker - a serious hiker - we're talking major climbs, multiple times a week. Naturally my first words once we started training were: Take off your shoes, we'll be training barefoot. (I love when clients just listen and don't argue with this request!) My thought, however, was this: How many people actually understand that true balance and stability begins with the 44+ muscles on the bottom of our feet?
If we're ignoring those, it's no different than using a band aid on a wound that needs stitching. We'll never stop the bleeding, only slow it down. If we're never increasing strength in those 44+ muscles, we'll never gain true strength, rather only build many supportive muscles around our feet to mimic the real thing. Now don't get me wrong, any intrinsic muscle building in the ankles and hips will always lead to better balance but imagine if we had the whole package! 1 session in and my newbie trainee was singing the praise of barefoot training. We attempted no running - yet. We included two, 3 minute intervals of barefoot treadmill, uphill walking and lots of squats, balance discs, battling ropes and upper body training.
When it comes to balance and stability training, your feet need to be on the ground. Otherwise, you're simply adapting to the cushioning in your shoe. Undoubtedly you change your shoes which have different levels of cushioning. You should train your body to be responsive to any surface. This is best possible when the muscles and proprioceptors in your feet have been awakened and strengthened!
May balanced feet be with you : )
www.luongofootwear.com