EXCUSE # 16: I HAVE WEAK ANKLES

This is not an objection at all. It's actually a reason to walk barefoot (though start slowly). Weak ankles are caused by too much support (and a lack of mobility) in a shoe and not enough blood flow to the ankles.





  Consider this: our shoes are typically the cause of ankle sprains. In almost any athletic shoe you wear, you're raised above the ground at least a half (1/2) inch or more ( and sometimes up to two inches), and they have super grippy tread. ⇩





  The higher you're off the ground, the more likely you are to catch this tread on a rock, a curb, a crack in the sidewalk, or almost anything you stepped on, and roll an ankle. Moreover, grippy rubber shoes bottom is supposed to be good for traction, right? Well, yes ... except if it causes your foot to stick or catch a surface while momentum continues to carry your body mass forward. When you want to go one way and your foot inside the shoe, is stuck going another way, you could end up with an ankle sprain.







  Here's the good news. When you're fully barefoot walking or running, you're directly on the ground surface so it's much harder to roll an ankle. And if you're fully barefoot, you tend to skim over obstacles rather than 'stick on' to them and twist.

  Sure, if you step on a ball or other obstacle accidentally underfoot, you can always roll anything, but when you're barefoot (or in very flat footwear) you're already almost on the ground. there is no place to roll.

  Ankles can be strengthened over time by being barefoot. Unless you have pins and other hardware in your ankle that prevent mobility, even short distances barefoot walking can benefit your weak ankles.Just start slowly and listen to your ankles. If they start getting tired, stop walking. 

  If your ankles are weak, you just need to start slowly with barefoot walking and focus on the other exercises mentioned in this blog. The ankle is a system of interconnected muscles, ligaments , and tendons, and therefore can be strengthened. It just take time, patience and bay steps barefoot walking. 



  In nature we never had anything wrapped around our ankles. Even a tall Native moccasin was no more than soft leather (never use rubber or plastic) that covered the ankle. The ankle must be allowed to move unencumbered in order to stay flexible and strong.

  You can bring that flexibility and strength back through barefoot walking, particularly on uneven surfaces.