Do you shug with shoes on?

[HelloKitty]

Hi all, I’m new and seriously thinking of taking up SG. One of the things that really appeals to me is the idea of just rolling out of bed, picking up the sledge, and getting to work. However, question: do you wear shoes while working out? I notice in Reinhard’s videos he’s not wearing them, but the purpose was to demonstrate the moves, not necessarily a real workout.

Let me be upfront: I’m lazy. So the idea of not even having to put on shoes for this workout makes it even more appealing than it is already! I really won’t be able to think of any other excuse not to start . But I’m wondering about the long-term effects of doing SG in bare feet. Any thoughts?

[Phineas]

Well, I can tell you that I've been at this for a touch over 3 months now and I have never shugged with shoes on. If it's cold in the house when I get up, maybe socks, but never shoes. As it is only working your upper body, I can't imagine that there would be any negative effects from shugging shoeless other than a sore toe/foot if you happen to drop the SG.

I'm pretty sure there is someone here who shugs completely nude!

[Midwestern Ranger]

I mainly shugg in a pair of ugly old Crocs. I figure in the very unlikely case I drop the hammer on my foot the extra cushion would help. Don't do it nude, although I prefer to be shirtless because my movements are a little more fluid that way.

[reinhard]

Shoes would probably be a useful extra measure of protection, but I can't say I avail myself of them. I almost always shug barefoot. It's not a deliberate policy, we just don't normally wear shoes inside he house and it's never occurred to me to put them on for this.

Reinhard

[HelloKitty]

Ok, thanks guys. I'll happily leave my shoes off . Will be buying my sledgehammer tomorrow!

[winnie96]

Congrats to you, HelloKitty! You're not going to believe how much fun shugging is, what a great start it is to your day, and how it helps your shape! I've been doing it for almost 5 months now, without fail.

I sometimes do shoes, sometimes not, and it doesn't seem to make any difference. The Main Thing is to remove any obstacles to starting your workout, and if putting on shoes would be an obstacle, just don't do it!

Good luck on your start-up, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

[gratefuldeb67]

Hi all, just chiming in here. I never used shoes when I Shovelglove.
Similar to Yoga, which is done barefoot, this seems like it would be weird with shoes. I find being barefoot very grounding and better for balance.
Debs

[BuckeyePink]

New Shugger here, too. I wear shoes, just because that is a habit of mine. Shoes=Activity. No Shoes=Relax.

However, I did nearly 9 years of ballet, plus adult classes in yoga & other dancey stuff, all wearing no shoes or slippers. Shugging feels like the gym-type moves for me, therefore, shoes.

I'm loving Stoke the Oven!

~Anna

[Jishin]

Depends. In winter, when my feet get cold easily, shoes. In summer, nah, not usually. But that's mostly because I don't wear shoes in the house unless it's cold.

[morganalefay]

I wear 'em if I'm shugging outside. I never wear shoes for doing exercise indoors, but then I'm a yoga-head, too.

This is not without its hazards. I once dropped a 5kg dumbbell on my toe, though I have so far managed to avoid doing the same with my hammer.

[Neptunus]

Barefoot is best, I think. I don't have a habit of wearing shoes inside, like many here.

Since it was brought up, there's something incredibly silly and fun about naked shugging (naked shugging? Now, 'shugging' already was a dubious word..). I condone it!