no shoes?

[sanderson]

I haven't been wearing shoes lately when I do t-tapp. Is that a major no-no? I was wearing my special shoes that enhance a cross training workout, but they didn't seem like the right shoe for t-tapp. Any idea if wearing socks without shoes for it is okay?

[BlessedMama]

Shoes are generally recommended until you have built up ankle and foot strength (metatarsals). And knees!

Cross trainers should have a wide toe box to allow toes to "jazz" or spread apart. Skechers Energy are the ones a lot of Tappers use--I use the Skechers Millenium.

There is a Barefoot Basic workout, which offers a lot of tips and tweaks for doing it barefoot, but it takes up the activation to a whole new level! Let's just say no gripping with the toes allowed!

I'm not a trainer (yet) but am sharing what's been recommended in the past. It's very important to build up strength in the ankles and knees before attempting T-Tapp barefoot, to avoid injury.

That said, it's okay to do Hoedowns throughout the day without running to put shoes on--but keep T-Tapp principles in mind! Weight on outside edge of foot, no rolling out the ankles, and don't grip the floor with your toes!

I'm sure you'll get more input from Michelle or one of the other trainers!

HTH!

[bevibrant]

Trisch is right about shoes. A good cross trainer supports you better in the beginning. If you really want to do it barefoot, I highly suggest you get the Barefoot Workout and pay careful attention to what she teaches in that DVD.

[TaraC]

I find that without shoes my ankles ache, so I obviously need the support. Also if I've had a pair of trainers for more than 6 months I can feel the ache, so I know that they need replacing.

Without shoes don't you find that you wobble more too?

[daisy_s]

Without shoes I just cannot stand on both legs at all What about one leg in balance or TTN!

[monica213]

BWO Barefoot if you must (Great workout!) NEVER inst 2 barefoot. Teresa has even said no trainer has the strength to do Inst 2 barefoot, so why sacrifice form/results.

[daisy_s]

BWO Barefoot if you must (Great workout!) NEVER inst 2 barefoot. Teresa has even said no trainer has the strength to do Inst 2 barefoot, so why sacrifice form/results.

Wow, this sounds scarry I am glad I got my shoes already

[monica213]

I would be scared to try it LOL

[wandererot]

This was a little bit of an a-ha moment for me. I don't do the work-outs without shoes, but I have started doing TTN daily and occassionally do that without shoes (if I'm just trying to fit in something for the day, I do that and OIP/HF/E). The BBJ of both feet (but especially right) have really been bothering me for about the last week. I have arthritis in that joint and I thought it may just be getting a little worse.

I think the pain may be caused (or at least worsened) by trying to do this move without shoes on. I was thinking about this thread yesterday when I did TTN with shoes and could really tell a difference from when I don't wear shoes. I think I may be gripping with my toes when I try to do the moves without shoes so I could see that causing some problems. I'm hoping that avoiding doing any standing workout moves without shoes will help to give my joints a break. I even did the full foot fitness last week trying to deal with this (I had only done parts of it before because it is so long). I'm also thinking that I may have tried to move to more advanced tweaking before my muscles were really ready for them based on what I read in an old thread that was recently bumped up.

Wanda