👟 The silent mistake at Valdebebas that could lead to injuries

In the modern Valdebebas gym, where every minute of training is optimized, there is a silent and common practice among many Real Madrid players: performing strength exercises with highly cushioned running shoes.

It seems like a minor wardrobe choice, but it is something that can directly affect the quality of the workouts and even, in the worst cases, increase the risk of injuries, as many runners know.

👟 The Wrong Footwear: More Common Than It Seems

According to the photographs the club usually publishes on its official channels, a good part of the squad performs squats, lunges, deadlifts, or plyometric exercises with shoes specifically designed for long-distance running, not for weightlifting.

These shoes, very suitable for running long distances at moderate paces due to their high cushioning and soft sole, are designed to absorb impacts, but not for stability, as even the manufacturers themselves acknowledge.

Graphically speaking, using this type of footwear for strength training is like lifting weights on a mattress.

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🤕 What's at Stake?

• Wasted Performance: the strength you develop doing deadlifts or squats depends on a stable base. If the shoe absorbs part of that strength, the player misses out on some of its benefits.

• Risk of Injuries: the instability of a soft shoe can lead to micro-movements in ankles, knees, or hips. In elite athletes who already carry high loads, this can result in tendinitis, sprains, or chronic back strains.

• Postural Misalignment: Many running shoes have elevated heels and curved soles to facilitate more efficient transitions and strides. This alters the natural posture, something especially delicate in exercises where the spine and pelvis must remain aligned and firm.

✅ What Should They Be Using?

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The ideal is to use weightlifting shoes or flat, firm footwear like CrossFit shoes, as used by Carvajal, Rudiger, or Mbappé in the photographs shared by Real Madrid.

👍🏻 Does Training with Unstable Shoes Offer Any Benefits?

Training strength with unstable shoes can help the footballer, but only if done specifically, controlled, and with clear objectives. This doesn't seem to be the case with the white squad, where the variety of footwear for gym exercises is notable.

For example, training with controlled instability improves motor control and strengthens ankles, knees, and hips, which can be beneficial in real game situations.

Real Madrid has won Champions, leagues, and super cups by paying attention to every detail. And something as seemingly trivial as gym footwear can be the difference between a brilliant season... or an injury that changes everything overnight.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

📸 PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU - AFP or licensors