Squatting and boxing shoes

[.:: JSFD26 ::.]

Has anyone tried squatting in boxing shoes before? Obviously I'm not talking about the really high top ones or the ones with the little heel but ones with completely flat soles. I was suggested to squat using Chucks then I thought why not using some boxing shoes? Im thinking some like the Rivals.



Any thoughts?

[Redd Foxx]

Yea, I didn't like it. The stability was nice but I was less likely to get pain in my legs afterward if I used cushioned shoes. With bodyweight or low-weight, the difference is moot but when I was bulked up and squatting 2-300lbs the boxing/wrestling shows became a problem for me. I have a healthy arch so I'm not sure what the exact issue was.

I will say that I love slim trainers or boxing shoes for most other stuff though incl general weight training, jump rope (especially), etc.

[AddiX]

I'd imagine actual squat shoes probably have much harder bottoms. I don't squat though so I have no clue.

[jaded]

I have found the best shoes for squatting are boots with a wide sole that plant your feet for stability. Boxing shoes won't do that for you...they are designed for pivot.

Real weight lifting shoes are hard so your energy is not absorbed and projected upwards...a bit wedged so you heels are up a bit...and a wider for stability. But boots (old school) are the widest and most stable I always found. You don't want to wobble even slightly or be trying to counter a wobble when squatting...it can cause injury.

[.:: JSFD26 ::.]

I have found the best shoes for squatting are boots with a wide sole that plant your feet for stability. Boxing shoes won't do that for you...they are designed for pivot.

Real weight lifting shoes are hard so your energy is not absorbed and projected upwards...a bit wedged so you heels are up a bit...and a wider for stability. But boots (old school) are the widest and most stable I always found. You don't want to wobble even slightly or be trying to counter a wobble when squatting...it can cause injury.

See, now Im hearing two different things. You're suggesting shoes with wedged heels which is what I was looking at originally but I've been suggested flat shoes such as Chucks for squatting twice now.

These were the shoes I was looking at originally:


Until two people suggested Chucks then I thought maybe boxing shoes would work. I guess it's a bad idea from what you guys are saying.

[.:: JSFD26 ::.]

Yea, I didn't like it. The stability was nice but I was less likely to get pain in my legs afterward if I used cushioned shoes. With bodyweight or low-weight, the difference is moot but when I was bulked up and squatting 2-300lbs the boxing/wrestling shows became a problem for me. I have a healthy arch so I'm not sure what the exact issue was.

I will say that I love slim trainers or boxing shoes for most other stuff though incl general weight training, jump rope (especially), etc.

Interesting...

I figured I'd ask before I went into the gym with boxing shoes only to turn around and say **** this (in case I didnt like it).

[Redd Foxx]

Interesting...

I figured I'd ask before I went into the gym with boxing shoes only to turn around and say **** this (in case I didnt like it).

It's a tough call. I was really into bodybuilding at the time and got them because the powerlifters all wore wrestling shoes (which are essentially the same thing). Started getting sciatic irritation and other issues that didn't go away until I switched back to my trainers. Everyone is built differently though and they work out for many others so, YMMV.

[jaded]

See, now Im hearing two different things. You're suggesting shoes with wedged heels which is what I was looking at originally but I've been suggested flat shoes such as Chucks for squatting twice now.

These were the shoes I was looking at originally:


Until two people suggested Chucks then I thought maybe boxing shoes would work. I guess it's a bad idea from what you guys are saying.

You can see the wedge on those shoes. For most people...they are able to get down deeper and without bending back forward (which puts a lot of stress on your lower back).

Look at yourself sideways in the mirror without any weight and squat down flat footed and raised heels. Go below parallel...if you struggle to go low or bend forward...and if the opposite is true with heels raised...you will have your answer. For me it makes a huge difference with heels raised....I use boots with orthopedics. This allows me to feel bolted to the ground and raises my heels just right (between the heel thickness and added height from the orthopedics) and gives me much better form...but that's me. You might be different for many reasons.

This might help...



The Truth about Heels Elevated

Elevating the heels is usually done to ensure the full foot remains in pressure on the ground, and also to make up for any lack of depth from a flat footed position. Many view it as a "shortcut" in light of poor flexibility, but we have to remember that weightlifting shoes also perform the same function.

Taking a step back and looking at this objectively, if we want to have the deepest squat depth we can, as soon as possible, and elevating the heels was the way to achieve that, why wouldn't we?

Elevated heels will change the pelvic angle and encourage the knees to track forward over the toes. This, as I mentioned earlier, will encourage much more quad involvement, depending on the depth you reach. Poliquin also uses heels-elevated squats as a way to tap into the strength of the quads, especially the rectus femoris and VMO, to specifically hypertrophy them.

I say to treat elevating your heels as an option, not only a solution. Work to achieve the ROM and mobility necessary to get as close to a full range squat as possible without anything under the heels. If you need to use heel lifts, use them, but do your accessory work on the side so that the end goal is you squatting without them.

Take home point: If you have weak quads or want to develop them, try deliberately elevating your heels during squats. If you lack depth in your squat, heel elevation will help, for now. Don't rely on them forever, though. Get your flexibility up, and you'll get more work done in your sets from the added ROM.

[Butt stuff]

My ankles are pretty poop after all the injuries I've had with them. So I've ordered some reebok crossfit trainers as they're supposed to be great for stability and also sprinting/explosive training. I wonder how they'd fair for proper boxing training.

[.:: JSFD26 ::.]

So, I've looked a little more into this and realized that even the shoes they wear at the Olympics have raised heels.

And look what they used to do back in the day: