👟 The silent mistake at Valdebebas that could lead to injuries | OneFootball

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

It seems like a minor wardrobe choice, but it's something that can directly affect the quality of training and even, in the worst-case scenario, increase the risk of injury, as many runners know.

👟 The wrong footwear: more common than you think

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

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

In a graphic way, using this type of footwear for strength training is like lifting weights on a mattress.

🤕 What's at stake?

✅ What should they be using?

The ideal is to use weightlifting shoes or flat and firm footwear like CrossFit, like the ones used by Carvajal, Rudiger, or Mbappé in the photos disseminated by Real Madrid.

👍🏻 Does training with unstable shoes provide any benefits?

Training strength with unstable shoes can help the footballer, but only if done in a specific, controlled, and targeted way. It 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, leagues, and super cups by taking care of every minor detail. And something as seemingly trivial as gym footwear can be the difference between a brilliant season... or an injury that changes everything from one day to the next.

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

📸 PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU - AFP or licensors