As you know from my previous postings, I am a big fan of mobile, almost barefoot type shoes.  The question I get is from people who are in the military goes normally like this “I love my (insert Nike Free, Virbrams, Tigers, etc here) but when I leave or go back on active duty, I have to wear this horrible, heavy stiff combat boats.  Are there any other options?”

The only other option I could find that was pretty close was boots made by Camper out of Europe.  I first saw them at the Z-Health Master Trainer eval in CA this past January as Dr. Cobb had a pair.  They were lightweight and pretty flexible too, but as far as I could gather they were not specially made for military applications.

Camper Boots (from zappos.com)

You are in luck now!  The fine folks at Nike after much R and D have released their SFB aka Special Forces Boot.  I did a Z-Health session on an athlete earlier today who is leaving for Army Ranger school in about a month and he mentioned that he picked up a pair and LOVES them so far.  He said they are quite flexible and super light weight.  This is HUGE if you are doing 5 mile runs in boots and extremely fast marches carrying a crapload of weight on your back.  The last thing you want is a pair of heavy, stiff boats.  Remember, there are reflexes in the foot that go up into the hip, so messed up feet/ankles = messed up hips; thus decreasing your power and speed and potentially adding to injuries.

Nike SFB Men’s Boot according to the Nike website

A 21st century boot for high-speed operators, the lightweight Nike
SFB Men’s Boot was engineered to the specifications and needs of
Special Forces including elite military, law enforcement and first
responder professionals. As the lightest, fastest-drying, highest
mobility performance boot we’ve ever made, the SFB offers superior
comfort for extended wear, straight out of the box

Nylon and suede upper
Nike Free outsole technology
Outsole designed for traction and breathability
Weight: 15.9 oz. based on Men’s size 10

If you are in the military or have loved ones that are, this may be an option for them.  As always, have them check to make sure that it is an option for them, but many times it is now.

Time to get the military up to the 21st century with new footwear.  The amount of energy and potentially reducing injuries is huge.  As always with more flexible shoes, make sure to do your foot and ankle mobility.

Check out the pics below from Nike. com and this link

Nike SFB Mens Boot

If you have found any other boots that are lightweight and very flexible, post a comment below!

Rock on

Mike T Nelson

PS

I want to send a special shout out to everyone that is in the military and their families.  Thank you very much for all that you do (many of it, we will never even hear about).

Have you heard this before?

• I am too busy to eat well
• I just don’t have time
• I travel a lot and don’t have time or access to good nutritious food
• Taco Bell needs my support!

Nutrition is very important for athletic performance, both in the gym and on the playing field.  The key is to be CONSITENT.

The wind was up here recently, so I decided to take some time off and go kiteboarding with my friend Rob.  Do you have to let your nutrition slip just to have fun with your friends?  Find out below

What are other tips that work well for you?  Post them in the comments!

Rock on

Mike T Nelson

Play Now:

 Nutrition on the Go [5:34m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Do your shoes suck?

How would you know?

Do you have foot/ankle pain?

Worst…..shoes…….ever

Great “shoes” and happy feet!

Listen to the audio below as I detail

• How to find good shoes
• Why are good shoes important
• Performance applications
• Can better shoes increase your strength and performance?

Rock on

Mike T Nelson

Play Now:

 Do Your Shoes Suck? [7:39m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

I get the question a lot about what it is like to train at the Extreme Human Performance center, so I thought that since I am the research guy, I would do an experiment.

I invited Dave Sandel over since he also trains here in the Twin Cities Minnesota area.  He came over last week and we did some Z-Health on him, got down to business training and he pulled a deadlift PR (personal record) and even took out the 400 lb tire.   We throw in some Kettlebell work just for good measure too.

What Happened?

Before I get to that, here is a short tour of the private facility.

What the heck, that is your garage man!

Yep!  Truth be told I used to train at a big club in the Twin Cities here part time and I could not take it.   You don’t need a room full of chrome to get stronger, move better, and kick a$$.    You don’t need a $4,000 pulley a “wazi strength thing” and stay the hell off the treadmill!

You need basic, top of the line, equipment.   Basics are best, yet nobody wants to practice them.  Lift heavy stuff, set it down, make sure you don’t degrade your movement (if you leave the gym dragging your right leg, did you really get any better?)    Spend your money on the basics and then spend a ton of money on education!  Figure out better (not always newer) techniques.   The body is very complex, why do you think a weekend certification is going to cover it?  Pleeeeeze.  Focus on the nervous system,  since is the chief in charge and runs the show.

How I Ended Up in My Garage

So after the gym I was at filed bankruptcy on me (I did not even know, I found out by going there one night and found a note on the door!).  I checked into a few other places and could not stomach it.   I could not take all the chrome, had to keep your shoes on all the time (love barefoot training), can’t drop a heavy weight and some places you can’t even deadlift!  What?  The most basic function and you can’t even perform it there?  Time for plan B and vowed to set up a place that I could control, right outside my door, done by my rules to get athletes  RESULTS.   I LOVE it and would not trade it for any chrome gym around, no matter the amount of money.  Oh yeah, I control the stereo too—hehehe.  If you bring your Jonas Brothers CD you will NOT be let it.

What Happened to Dave?

I will let Dave tell you first hand.  Head on over to his blog below.  Keep in mind that if you are easily offended, read with caution.   It is all Dave and I did not even see it until he posted it online; so the account is not altered in any way.

Athlete Creator Dave Sandel hits ups the Xtreme Human Performance Center in MN

Rock on

Mike T Nelson

PS

If you are here in the St. Paul/ White Bear Lake/ Twin Cities area Minnesota and want to train here, drop me a line at  Info@ExtremeHumanPerformance.com and we may be able to arrange it.   Serious inquires only and there are only a severely limted number of spots open while I am finishing my PhD.

Thanks for all the comments on the post below

Tennis Elbow Pain: Tendinosis vs Tendonitis

I was hoping to get the answer back to you sooner, but I was holed up in the lab almost all of yesterday running data on the Monster Energy Drink Study so that I can graduate soon!

The good news is that I shot a video for you, so check it out if you want some options to get rid of that elbow pain.

Notes:

• I used a Kettlebell here for a weight, but any weight will work fine
• Make sure it is not too painful.  Pick a lighter weight
• Ideally hit about 10-15 reps with a 5 sec eccentric (lowering) motion.
• You should see some change within about a week
• I’ve found that I needed to do it about as lo
  ng after as it took to make the pain go away.  So it cleared up pretty well for me in 12 days, so I did it for a total of 24 days.
• You can do it every day if you need to
• The volume on the video is a bit soft since I was outside

Again, this is just an option to try.  I had tennis elbows really bad in both elbows several years ago and this works wonders.

Long term, I recommend some mobility work (like Z-Health) to keep all your joints working well.

You wil also have to drop any movements/exercises that are creating pain in your training, yes even if that is the beloved KB swing.   Try a 1 hand swing and see if that is better, if not, don’t do it until you get the pain under control.

Remember, if you are in pain, you will not have amazing athletic performance (and it just plain sucks)

Any comments, let me know!

Rock on

Mike T Nelson