The Benefits Of Vibram Five Fingers' Barefoot Design

While the shape of a Vibram Five Fingers shoe may seem peculiar to some, it actually presents a new way to go about sports. The idea behind the Five Fingers design is that it enables the wearer to optimize the use of his or her feet. And it doesn't just stop at adding flexibility. It also allows the foot to better feel the ground, just as they would when barefoot.

But how does going barefoot benefit the body? The human foot is a complex mechanism on its own, with 26 bones, 33 joints, 20 muscles and hundreds of various other parts that make it an anatomical marvel. This complexity is stifled by the design of the traditional shoe. While the design of conventional shoes keeps the foot rigid and isolated from the ground, the design of the Five Fingers brings the foot back in touch with the ground. Since the Vibram shoe allows for the foot's free movement, the foot is stimulated and more important muscles are exercised.

According to scientists and coaches, stimulating the foot comes with a great number of benefits. Among these include the strengthening of foot and lower leg muscles. It also engages the neural function important to balance and mobility. While barefoot, the body works to recognize surfaces and improve one's balance. At the same time, proprioception and body awareness is enhanced as well.

Since the Vibram Five Fingers shoe delivers that feeling of being barefoot, wearers can get the benefits of barefoot training without the risks of actually exposing the sole to the ground. This makes it an ideal shoe for various sports, including running and hiking.

Run by the Zapatka family for three generations, The Shoe Mart provides a wide array of men's and women's shoes. The Shoe Mart's range of offerings covers a wide array of shoe types, including innovative footwear such as Vibram Five Fingers. To learn more about its offerings, visit TheShoeMart.com or call 800-850-7463.