Lately I seem to see or hear everyone and their dog racing out to buy a shiny new pair of Romaleos 2 or similar. If you listen closely these elevated heel lifting shoes will apparently cure most ailments and hell there might just be peace in the middle east if they wore these damn shoes!!!
But guess what wearing a pair of these is just a more stable version of the old board or 2.5 kg plates under the heels. You know that board that most articles,trainers and coaches suggested you try and wean yourself off once you fixed your mobility issues. Now yes I do know that every cool Olympic lifter is wearing them but hey dipshit you are a powerlifter remember, different squat mechanics and all?????
Actually spend some time with your facility coaches and work our what your issues are. Perhaps you have poor internal rotations in your hips, maybe a weak anterior core is causing your but wink. Hell you may have a host of really nasty mobility issues that if resolved will have you squatting like Tom Platz. But here's the thing if you jump in straight away how the fuck will you know.
Now someone that trains with me is going to say, Thomo you wear Romaleos 2's when you squat. Yup you got me, guilty as charged. But here is the difference, I have spent the better part of 3 months experimenting with my stance toe position and working through a shit load of mobility issues to determine that the elevated heel is ok for me. How do I know, well getting good independent advice for a start from a sports physio and importantly countless videos of my form in and out of the shoes.
So while I am not trying to harm the Nike share price, hold off on the damn shoes until you know whether they actually are the best training intervention for your squat!
Stay Strong
Thomo
Hi Thomo, Got to a Andy Bolton seminar last year. About 40 of us there and he watch our form as we lifted. Waited till the end and told us off as we had all kept our shoes/trainers on. Flat feet is what you need as nature designed us very well to squat. Add good form and you should be there.
ReplyDeleteUse a specialist slipper or a tight surf board shoe for hygeine.
The problem with most peoples squats is too much ego leading to much weight. I cannot see any sports physio or coach worth their salt recommending elevated heels unless they have done a lot of work with their client first.
Nice blog by the way,I have enjoyed reading it tonight.
Stay Well Stay Happy
John