Crossfit is a method of fitness training that emphasizes short, high-intensity workouts using functional movements to increase strength, endurance, balance, and overall fitness. It is used by many police and fire departments to keep their members operating at their peak physical performance levels. The workouts are constantly varied and focus on functional movements, such as pushing, pulling, lifting, and running. The crossfit philosophy is that true fitness means your body is prepared for anything.
One of the core principles of crossfit is that moving naturally, the way human bodies have been moving since the beginning of time, provides the most benefit for overall conditioning buy using the body the way it was meant to be used. This principle has lead to the crossfitter’s preference for minimalist shoes. Crossfit training includes a lot of running and lifting weights, both of which benefit from the use of crossfit shoes.
Crossfit shoes try to emulate the barefoot experience in running to aid in the natural strengthening of feet, ankles, and calf muscles. Traditional running shoes provide cushioning and raised heel beds to soften the pounding effect on ankles and joints. Crossfit shoes are designed to encourage the minimalist method of running. The minimalist method is basically how you would naturally run without shoes. Instead of striking the ground with your heel, you strike with the ball of your foot. This strengthens ankles and calves, improves balance, and lessens the negative effects of landing hard on your heels. When done properly, it also helps you achieve greater speed and efficiency.
It does take training though. If you are used to traditional running shoes you, have become accustomed to the increased balance they provide. When switching to crossfit shoes, you have to develop your muscles to keep yourself balanced. Once you do, your increased strength and balance means fewer running injuries.
Crossfit shoes are also better designed for weightlifting than traditional running and athletic shoes. The current crop of athletic shoes are all about the cushioning. The idea is that the cushioning absorbs the shock of the footfall, thereby protecting joints from the damage that can occur from repeated impact. When lifting weights, there are two reason why cushion in your shoes is not desired. First, you want an efficient transfer of force from yourself to the floor. This enables you to lift more weight. If you’re wearing cushioned shoes, the cushion absorbs much of that force, and it is lost. Second, the cushion provides an uneven and unpredictable surface to stand on. This may cause a loss of balance. Lifting heavy weights requires a secure and stable foot position.
Crossfit shoes provide for the needs of weightlifting by offering a thin, firm, sole that keeps your foot in close contact with the ground. You use the resistance provided by the ground to increase your ability to lift more weight. There are weightlifters who lift barefoot for this reason. The obvious problem with that is the danger of falling weights. Crossfit shoes allow you to emulate this without leaving yourself vulnerable.
The rise of crossfit training has given rise to the need for crossfit shoes. Given that the training is varied, you need to find shoes that are most suitable for most situations. In general within the crossfit community, that has turned out to be minimalist running shoes.