Minimalist Running? Here are Six Simple Exercises For Stronger Strides

Thinking about embracing minimalist or barefoot running? Dr Marybeth Crane, a board certified podiatric foot and ankle surgeon, marathon runner and Ironman triathlete, in Grapevine, Texas, discusses a better approach to minimalism. It is imperative to realize that your feet are weak in their current state and you need to add a foot and leg strengthening program to your current regimen. Here are six simple exercises you can do daily to improve your intrinsic foot strength. For more info, go to www.myrundoc.com or www.faant.com and check out the sportsmedicine blogs!

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[thatoneguy1020]

i think i will actually use these exersies, im gonna start running bearfoot and i dont want to end up at the PT again (last time i pulled my groin)

what do you think of running bearfoot i know there is alot of debate about it.

[myrundoc]

@thatoneguy1020 Take a look at my blog post on minimalism

[SexSlave94]

I recently injured my ankle and the Dr told me to try some new shoes and inserts, i got some NB840 with some green "superfeet" I wasn't aware that barefoot is better. My questions are: can i train in Vibrams just to strengthen my feet and then still wear regular shoes or do i have to wear minimalist shoes all the time? 2nd: I rarely run, my exercises consists of swimming/bike (i have flex flat feet) would it still be recommended/worth it to go barefoot? if some1 can help me id appreciate it thnx

[tedrickart]

don't you want to go further up on the forefoot in the balancing? it's much easier to balance when your fully up there. try it. or take ballet if you don't.

[runlevel0]

Hey, hasn't she Morton's Toe ?

It clearly seems that the first metatarsal is shorter and the halux is clearly shorter. Just like mine, BTW. I was in fact searching exercises because of that. I do the towel one and picking up stuff a lot because I believe in the power of a full body workout. I did not know that my feet where 'abnormal' until this Monday. So that I presume that the horror stories of Morton's Toe victims are almost surely another case of weak and untrained muscles. THX DOC !

[turbocarr]

Nice feet.

[turbo4141]

Nice feet.  ;-)

[swillip48]

She has cute feet.

[TheLinkMedic]

Great video, thanks for the information this is what I was looking for! Especially the one for the posterior tibialis, I couldn't even find a single exercise to strengthen it just the anterior. Not only that these are so easy to do, thanks again. 

[rizwan1983]

@thatoneguy1020 It's pretty good. Takes a while to transition (your calf muscles in particular will take a hit). But once you get used to it becomes almost natural.

[ACOWSAYSMOO2009]

@thatoneguy1020 not trying to correct you in a lame way, but it's called barefoot running.

[femfusionfitness]

Great exercise suggestions --- I love the deep squats!