Virtualmeet.net

I'm just wondering, why do you not allow lifting in barefeet, especially with the deadlift?

Hi Jin,

A warm welcome to Virtualmeet.net! :)

Good question. The main reason is that lifting barefoot is not allowed in any federation I know of. I believe that it is a good idea to maintain close compatibility with real-world rules for many reasons. It helps us gain the respect of the community at large if we are known for keeping the rules tight and doing our best to stay away from accepting "gym lifts". It also helps those who aim at real-world competing get a feel for the sport using rules that will mostly apply in real meets as well. Having rules to worry about is a good thing in that respect.

While we take a fairly conservative line in terms of rules and judging (notably IPF depth on the squat), we do allow some modifications to suit the virtual format better and make it easy for folks to participate without owning singlets, competition approved plates etc. But most people have gym shoes. In that respect I think barefoot lifting would be too big a departure from traditional powerlifting rules.

That's cool. Just means that I need to do some of my pulling with shoes on. Unfortunately I've gotten so used to training barefoot, it'll just take a while getting used to it.

BTW when would be the next deadlift meet?

Roger that.

No date has been set for another deadlift meet yet, but it is soon time to start planning next year's meet timetable. I like to plan the meets one year at a time so that everyone knows what meets are available and can plan their training accordingly. A push-pull meet has been in the queue for some time, so we are most likely going to open the year with that. But other than that, everything is still possible and I would welcome any suggestions for what meets to arrange when. Once I have a meet schedule proposal, I will post it on the forum for feedback like I did last year (http://virtualmeet.net/community/forum/meet-talk/87/0/). If you already have any preference for when you would like to see another deadlift meet, please let me know.  :)

You probably saw it already, but the current list of meets can be found here (http://virtualmeet.net/meets/).

Any advice on where to get a cheap pair of flat shoes? 

I deadlift and squat barefoot, but I'd like to do some meets in 2010. 

I am assuming based on above posts that no exceptions will be made to the "no barefeet" rule.

Converse Chuck Taylors are good.  "Bruce Lee" slippers are good too if the sole is non-slip.  Vans work though the sole seems too thick to me.  I wear Chucks myself though I'm considering weightlifting shoes with a heel for squats.

Hey Tim, happy to hear about your meet plans, always nice to see new faces join in. Lifting barefeet is currently a good way to get your lifts red lighted as the rules (http://virtualmeet.net/meets/rules/) are quite closely aligned with what you would see in official meets. So definitively get some shoes. :)

Like Wade said, Chucks are good, especially if you tend to squat wide and sit back quite far (as are wrestling shoes, the beauty is that the lower end shoes are more than good enough). Many RAW squatters like some heel though since it eases making depth with a narrower stance (especially as we're talking IPF depth here). Some go with a full weightlifting heel. I currently have a locally produced shoe with a sole half that height. It seems to be a good compromise, especially as I am notorious for turning my squats into good mornings at any possible occasion. :D But it took some getting used to after squatting in wrestling shoes, I guess you'll be facing the same kind of shock if you go from barefeet to a decent heel.

Then again, if you do end up getting weightlifting shoes, then you would probably also like a pair of wrestling shoes, Chucks or slippers for the deadlift to get closer to the iron and your gravity back. Whether to use a heel or not on the squat and bench is subject to personal preferences, but I have yet to hear of anyone swearing by a weightlifting heel on the deadlift (anyone?). That said, you see a lot of folks who still do it since they "only" have one pair of lifting shoes. If I had only one pair, I would probably opt for a flat shoe, but then again, deadlift slippers are pretty cheap.

I kind of figured that would be the advice, but I wanted to check before I spent any money.  I quickly checked into the "Bruce Lee" Slippers, seems like it will be easy to get them real cheap.  Thanks!

Huh, I never tried this, ever since I started to take my squatting seriously, I've been doing it barefoot (well, actually with socks on, but that's beside the point), it would be a shock to wear shoes with a elevated heel.  But it may be worth a try if it may ease getting depth. 

I also tend to good morning my heavier weights like you, but I think that happens to many people on heavy attempts.

so I'm guessing the rules haven't changed? Socks count as barefoot then? Thanks I look forward to future meets!

Correct, lifting in socks remains a nasty way to go. But good of you to check! :)