Germany has a new trend - barefoot movement

More and more Europeans prefer a barefoot lifestyle, and the financial crisis is not at all to blame for this, the reason for everything is the barfoot movement (from the English barefoot - barefoot, the German version - barfuss). A trend of fashion or a desire to feel more free? Be that as it may, but the tramp lifestyle is gaining momentum. Europeans, sparkling with bare heels, can even be found on the platform of the Cologne station during rush hour.

Barefooters are conditionally divided into three groups: those who occasionally take off their shoes for short walks; lovers of morning jogging without sneakers; as well as extreme sportsmen, who not only measure kilometers daily with bare feet, but also make long-distance marching throws.

35-year-old Dresden resident Johannes Hacker celebrated a significant date a month ago: for a year now, he regularly makes morning and evening runs without sneakers. “I don't even know what to call it: birthday or Baresday,” he jokes. To such sports, he was pushed by ordinary curiosity. After reading the research of biological scientists on the benefits of running barefoot, Johannes decided to check the facts on his own experience and ... immediately got irritated feet.

“The biggest mistake newcomers make is impatience. When you ran the first kilometer, stopping is already very difficult! I advise you to start a little, take short steps, monitor your movements, muscles, ligaments, listen to your body. This can be compared to playing a musical instrument: the theory is important, but only practice really helps, ”he advises.

Today, Johannes Hacker is an active member of the German branch of the international Barefoot Runners Society. With his like-minded people, he jogs around the city and prepares to take part in the Berlin marathon next year. Proponents of barefoot running often cite the example of two-time Olympic champion Bikilu Ababa, who barefoot successfully overcame the marathon distance in 1960. “I want to popularize the barfoot movement in Germany,” Johannes says enthusiastically. “Unfortunately, people are often too conservative in their habits, or simply afraid.” Although, according to him, everyone can throw off their shoes and run. There are very few exceptions for medical reasons. The main thing is that the tracks are safe.

In 1992, the first barefoot park appeared in Rhineland-Palatinate. Today, there are already several dozen of them throughout Germany. Entire families come here to walk barefoot on stones, grass, water and clay. The length of the paths can reach five kilometers. Guaranteed safety and a whole palette of sensations are the reason for the popularity of such parks. The number of visitors is measured in tens of thousands per year. Doctors agree that such a natural foot massage helps to improve health, and a fifteen-minute warm-up barefoot walk on the lawn is enough to keep your legs warm at night.

Shoe manufacturers also adapt to the wishes of customers. A new trend is the so-called “minimalist” five-fingered running shoes (minimalistische Laufschuhen). Made of flexible and lightweight material, this shoe protects the athlete from cuts and injuries on the one hand and, on the other hand, gives a feeling of movement barefoot. About this writes the site w-wdorld.de