Heeled Shoes Necessary?

[bobmen10000]

I use a pair of Rogue Do-Wins for squats but tonight, after some minor groin pain while belt squatting, I went barefoot and instantly felt much better. Now, my stance is wider than normal on the leverage belt squat machine so that could be it but I decided to a few reps with 135 on a safety squat bar while barefoot and again, it felt much better without the elevated heel. I can't say I am getting deeper, however those few reps felt as good as I have felt depth wise the last couple months

So, do you think a flat shoe, sans the rubber insert, is worth a try? If so, any really cheap suggestions?

[Hamburgerfan]

I compete wearing sabo deadlifts, but 90% of the time I train in chucks because I wear them all the time anyway and I don't want to bring special shoes and change them at the gym. Depending on your squat style and flexibility, you might be just fine without a heel.

The new sabos are on sale for $90, and chucks are okay too if you're cheap.

For $12 a year, I will tell you what shoes to wear.

[bobmen10000]

I am still waiting for the deadlift program at that price...

I looked into getting sabos before deciding on the Do-Wins, thought heeled shoes would help and I think Rip remarked that heeled shoes had some sort of benefit to deadlifting so thought it was a win-win and I needed a shoe that came in extra wide sizes, don't think the Sabos do. Years ago I used chucks but I left the sole in them which I guess is bad.

[Hamburgerfan]

My chucks still have the insoles in them. I do okay anyway

[bobmen10000]

My chucks still have the insoles in them. I do okay anyway

You could have just told me insoles in was part of the conjugate way and I would have believed you.

[cole]

i prefer heels, in fact the higher the better. i have a pair of adidas powerlift 3 with a 0.60 in heel and a pair of do-wins with 0.75 and i actually pull better in the do-wins. just helps keep me over the bar a little longer and helps with the feeling of stability. after a year of researching this shit, ive come to the conclusion that you should do what feels good for you, not what someone else says.

[bobmen10000]

i prefer heels, in fact the higher the better. i have a pair of adidas powerlift 3 with a 0.60 in heel and a pair of do-wins with 0.75 and i actually pull better in the do-wins. just helps keep me over the bar a little longer and helps with the feeling of stability. after a year of researching this shit, ive come to the conclusion that you should do what feels good for you, not what someone else says.

True enough. I know that no heels felt a helluva lot better on the belt squat, it was night and day. Might play around with it a for a while and dig out my old pair of chucks to compare.

[Cody]

So, do you think a flat shoe, sans the rubber insert, is worth a try? If so, any really cheap suggestions?

Chuck's with the insoles ripped out are A-OK.

[brkriete]

I think you guys have inspired me to try no heels for a bit and see how it feels.