By Michael Margulies, owner of Core Fitness and personal trainer

Bare Foot running has become a popular fitness fad. Many workout enthusiast are throwing out there sneakers or down grading to Vibrams a glove like slipper for the feet. For some people who are born genetically gifted with a nice arch, strong fascia, and great heal to foot strike you may be lucky and do great at bare foot running. For the rest of us barefoot running will inevitably lead to injury blisters and at best some real achy feet.

Modern shoes especially if they are over cushioned feel great but in time actually weaken our feet and in fact may cause injury. Here is my solution barefoot indoor workouts I have found that over time with overly cushioned sneakers my feet are weaker than they should be and my lifts like squats lunges and deadlifts are not optimal. I recently decided to test out my theory within several workouts I am squatting in better form then I ever have and not only that I am adding weight to the bar.

Fitness begins from the feet up. If your feet are unstable you will be weak through your kinetic chain now my feet and ankles are in a better bio mechanical position And the movements are more natural. Also my feet feel stronger.

Examples of exercises that benefit from bare feet:

Squats weighted or body weight your feet ankles will work and stimulate muscles in the foot and ankle.

Lunges, non-weighted at first. Your toes and feet have to develop more flexibility because shoes prevent full range of motion.

All balance exercises because they will activate the feet, ankles, and metatarsals like never before.

My personal favorite, the kettlebell swing, because my feet can help my body generate more power. In this productive efficient metabolic exercise.

So take my advice give indoor barefoot workouts a try and leave your sneakers for the outdoors.