Stength Shoes

[Brett Hagmann]

Has anyone used Stength Shoes in their training? I bought a pair 3 years ago and when i used them for a month or so doing the drills that came with the shoes I noticed decent increase in my speed and leg power. They increased my vertical by 6 inches or so only after two months. I can't seem to continue training with them for the periods of time they recommend because its hard to motivate myself to do it. I need a training partner or a coach to scream at me to FINISH.

I've heard people say they are a big joke, and ive also heard people complement them. Has anyone on this forum used them? If so, what do you think of them and do you have any additional training drills for them?

[James Whisman]

I used them some back in HS. Like you I've heard good and bad. They increased my speed a little, but whose to say training w/o them wouldn't have shown similar results. I have heard of some torn achilies tendons from them...but nothing first hand. If they are working keep at it.

[Kyle]

Check out this article.

http://www.drsquat.com/index.cfm?action=viewarticle&articleID=76

[Brett Hagmann]

in the study done, "untrained athletes" were chosen to do the experiment. No wonder they got injured and produced the results that they did. I'm still looking for some other personal opinions on these shoes. I'm H-O-P-I-N-G they are going to increase my power clean and snatch. I'm waiting to hear someone tell me that they'll lead to some kind of permanent injury, then i'll quit using them at the drop of a dime. I have gotten shin splints from them, but i've learned that w/ any calf work and running you also have to do tibia raises to build that muscle up. For example, it's kind of like doing all bicep curls and nothing for your tricep, just very unbalanced and leads to injury.

[Mike Westerling]

....first time I'd seen my calves grow in all my years training. Unfortunately I was one of the ones that tore my achilles. Needed surgery and everything. Probably could've been avoided if I backed off a bit when they started feeling tight all the time but I kept pushing it then one day "pop" while I was playing football. Watch the warning signs and you should be ok. Good luck.
-Mike

[Garrick Daft]

Wonder what would happen if I bought some and wore them while walking a mile in my 85lb Xvest? I just might have to find out..

[jbeeks99]

OK I've had enough! strength shoes are the stupidest thing on the market! There are plenty of studies out there they compare the shoes vs. plain plyos. guess what, there results came out the same if not better for plyos. strength shoes put direct pressure on the calve and achilles! strength shoes will not make you stronger in oly lifting! hard work and practice are the only things you need to worry about.

there are no shortcuts or specialized training. you have a strength coach so do what he says and lift, stay during the summer and lift with the team, and you will get better and stronger at cleans and every thing else.

and I know so much cause I used do be a Div. I strength coach! trust me, remember what I said Before Brett!

[Brett Hagmann]

I know Jarrod, i know. Trust me, i do lift! I clean, jerk, snatch, bench, squat...everything. I do more than our strength coach tells us. I'm just tryin to find somethin that will gimme more power and speed...plus beef up the calf muscles too.

[jbeeks99]

I wouldn't do to much more work than what your coach has ya do. unless it's for technique. why do you want your calves big for? if so your barkin up the wrong tree! hamstrings and ass power are speed! give it time! in 6 months you'll be astonished at where you were. getting strong at oly lifts takes time and work on technique. plus even if you're the fastest guy on the team, you'll never play if you don't know the defense!!!!!!!!!

learn your playbook!!!!
nuff said!

keep us all informed!

Jarrod

[Brandon Campbell]

haha hey just run on your toes like your supposed to. Same result, less injuries. The increase in speed is from the drills not the shoes. Do sprints, box jumps, quick feet drills stuff like that to increase foot speed for Oly lifting.

[Garrick Daft]

I know Jarrod, i know. Trust me, i do lift! I clean, jerk, snatch, bench, squat...everything. I do more than our strength coach tells us. I'm just tryin to find somethin that will gimme more power and speed...plus beef up the calf muscles too.


Seriously though this is a good thread because the overall point I'm getting is that the gimmicks, .. can't replace good old fashioned mind splitting body crushing workouts!

[Brett Hagmann]

jeeze, im just gettin ripped here. the reason i said beef up the calve muscles is because i play linebacker at 207 and i need to get up to 225ish. I could use some extra muscle fiber in my calves bc they aren't very big. regarless i still run a 4.5 or better so im happy.

Jarrod, i did get in 3 plays in our Spring Red/White game. I consider that good for not playing hs football and missing tues/thurs practices due to Class :) . I am learning the defense tho, and i am excited about the future.

[Garrick Daft]

How tall are you Brett?

[jbeeks99]

I'm not tryin to rip ya, we'll maybe just a little! :EB:

don't worry about your calves, you'll gain muscle in your legs a lot easier. the strength will come, the weight will come, just work hard and you will succeed!

if you run a 4.5, gain good weight. don't try to gain weight fast it will really mess with your speed. plus springball is over so you should be able to easily put on 15 pounds over the summer. are you gonna work out during the summer with the team?

[Brett Hagmann]

i'm 6'2"

I don't think i'll be here over the summer w/ them because I don't have anywhere to stay since im not on scholarship yet. I don't think it matters because i can accomplish more if i train on my own back home. I know what i have to do.

[jbeeks99]

i would try and stay with the team if you could. you might be able to accomplish more at home but, you'll gain a lot if you stay. coaches will know that you stayed and that says a lot in the coaches eyes. they see that as comittment, and as a walk on you need every edge that you can get. at boise state everyone stays for the summer! iv'e learned this first hand, as a coach, and as a player. if you have to sell blood, to stay for the summer do it!

i really, really have to stress the importance of staying!

but, you're the boss and the decision is yours. like i said, i was in the exact same spot you're in 10 years ago. so take it for what it's worth.

good luck bro!!

[jbeeks99]

we totally got off subject!! oh well!! :FF:

[Dan Harrison]

I wouldn't do to much more work than what your coach has ya do. unless it's for technique. why do you want your calves big for? if so your barkin up the wrong tree! hamstrings and ass power are speed! give it time! in 6 months you'll be astonished at where you were. getting strong at oly lifts takes time and work on technique. plus even if you're the fastest guy on the team, you'll never play if you don't know the defense!!!!!!!!!

learn your playbook!!!!
nuff said!

keep us all informed!

Jarrod

I've never seen someone do a respectable truck pull with wimpy calves. Calves are very important IMO to strongman, but olylifts may be another sory.

[Chris Bartley]

I've never seen someone do a respectable truck pull with wimpy calves. Calves are very important IMO to strongman, but olylifts may be another sory.
sweet, my calves are kind of big from being so fat. and i have beaten charles mickey on the truck pull, so you must be right.

[jbeeks99]

I've never seen someone do a respectable truck pull with wimpy calves. Calves are very important IMO to strongman, but olylifts may be another sory.

you don't need calves to powerclean 400 pounds! look at Jesse! :T:

really you don't, i've seen guys clean 365-385, and they were 200 pounds! and i'm talking skinny, skinny calves! but he also verticaled over 40 inches!

[Josh Kamins]

I just watched Rudy, every walk-on should watch that.

[Ben Booker]

Howdy, my brother and i both used the shoes and we both gained more speed and explosion. It's just like everything else. There are way to many determining factors to make such a close ended statement. For example; are you: warming up, stretching, how much other training are you doing, have you work out your calves before, have you ever had an injury in that area, how hard are you training with just the shoes, are you following the directions, are you for 1/2 hour around you house with the shoes before jumping in to the shoe training, are you drinking enough water.

Just like every thing else, listen to what your body tells you, make considerations with regard to other training that relates to calve work, and make sure your form is right.

You might find out that your calves are getting as much training as is safe to do, or you might have a slot to fit the training in. Just look at the whole picture.