One of the simplest ways to get a decent workout is to step outside your house and just start running. The only potential hassle is really the weather. Just walking out the door and getting started does eliminate a lot of excuses.It turns out that those who run barefoot tend to land on the balls of their feet. Those who run in running shoes tend to land on their heels. This is an unnatural adaptation our body has made because of the extra padding put into this type of shoe. It’s not something you can really do without shoes in fact. It may well be a cause of knee injuries while running. There is no evidence to support the shoe manufacturer’s claim that shoes actually reduce knee injuries.
Because shoes obvious reduce other injuries such as glass underfoot and stubbed toes, I don’t advise you to start running without shoes unless you can do so in a very safe area. But I do think it will make you a better athlete if you can learn to run on the balls of your feet and not on your heels. Most athletic movements require you to be on the balls of your feet and not on your heels. You are more balanced this way and ready to move more rapidly.
I just added a new article to FitDaily on running and how it relates to knee injuries. You can read all about the Running Shoe Myth and Knee Injuries here.
