I own a lot of deadlifting socks. I have purchased just about every pair available in stores like SBD, CEP Compression, and PRO Compression. (Yes, I have an addiction, but I also do it because it helps me to gain a biomechanical advantage.)
Today I will explain why people wear socks while deadlifting and clarify what are the benefits.
In general, people wear socks while deadlifting because it reduces the distance to the floor, and shortens the range of motion. Lifting weights in socks also change biomechanics and helps to better engage the posterior chain muscles (glutes and hamstrings).
Here you have my overall answer, but below I’ll give more detail about what’s the point of deadlift socks and provide scientific proof of why lifting weights in socks helps with your posture.
What are deadlift socks?
If you train in the gym regularly, chances are you’ve seen people squatting and deadlifting in socks without wearing any type of footwear.
Deadlifting socks (or deadlifting stockings) are knee-high socks that are designed to prevent the barbell from scraping the shin and scratching the skin.
They also gently squeeze legs a bit more than typical socks, which helps to improve blood circulation.
I generally prefer to lift without shoes because it helps to feel the lift
How do deadlifting socks work?
According to the article published in the Journal of Applied Biomechanics, “lifting unshod (socks only or barefoot) provides a stable platform and force transfer from the ground to the bar. For me, it just feels more natural when I perform the lift.”
For me, I often feel like I have much better balance because training in socks shifts my weight towards the back, which helps to engage the glutes and hammies better.
Is it safe to deadlift in socks?
I never find any problems with safety in deadlifting in socks. As long as I have strong body awareness and I won’t drop the weight directly on my toes.
According to the previously mentioned article, “dropping something heavy on your foot is a common cause of fractures and can result in foot injury and stop you from working out for weeks or months.”
You also should be mindful of your surroundings. Just because you don’t drop the weight on your toes it does not means that others won’t do it accidentally.
Deadlifting in socks vs shoes
There is a great debate – shoes vs socks, in the strength and conditioning world. On the one side, you have people who say that weightlifting shoes help to generate more power and allow you to lift heavier weights.
On the other side, you have people who say that going barefoot is better for your biomechanics and foot health.
For example, Rudy Meir, Ph.D., a professor from the Southern Cross University in Melbourne said that deadlifting at 60% of 1RM in socks was better than in shoes. However, for the deadlifting of 80% 1RM was the other way around.
Dr. Meir also pointed out that deadlifting in socks had a higher rate of force development, but deadlifting in shoes was more effective in improving time-to-peak force.
As you can see, it’s complicated.
To be frank, I wouldn’t make my decision to deadlift with or without shoes based on research, but on the matter of personal preferences.
Should you wear shoes or socks when deadlifting?
People who want to get better peak strength and lift more weight should wear shoes when deadlifting.
However, people who want to work on their balance, improve foot mechanics, and improve the range of motion in their foot and ankle joints, should be wearing socks.
Apart from foot biomechanics, wearing socks while lifting weights helps to reduce the formation of bunions, hammertoes, or other foot problems.
Why Do I Deadlift In Socks?
One of the biggest reasons why I deadlift in socks is because I work hard to get rid of my bunions.
Here’s a photo where you can see that my big toe on the right foot is shifted to the side more, compared to the left one.
I’ve been wearing improperly fitted shoes for many years when I was growing up.
This made my toes clench and shift my big toes to the side.
After visiting my physiotherapist, he gave me a laundry list of things to do. One of them was to lift weights in socks.
Another reason why I like to deadlift in socks (without shoes) or wear minimalistic footwear is that it helps with my lifting position.
I feel like I put more pressure on my posterior chain muscles, instead of my quads.
Does lifting in socks really helps?
Deadlifting in socks really changed my life because it improved my foot mechanics, which then translated into better mobility in the knee and hip.
I know it may sound strange, but not wearing shoes in the gym also helped me with foot stability and balance.
Nicholas B. Holowka, Ph.D., a professor from Harvard University, says “people who habitually wear minimal footwear have a longitudinal arch that is stiffer both statically and dynamically than those who habitually wear conventional modern shoes.”
“The use of shoes with built-in features like arch supports, toe boxes, or elevated heels restrict foot motion and is associated with weaker foot muscles and reduced foot stiffness,” Dr. Holowka explains.
What Are The Benefits Of Deadlifting In Socks?
Overall, deadlifting socks are worth it because they keep your feet protected from any splinters or scratches.
Plus, it helps to keep your feet clean from dirt and bacteria that can accumulate on the gym floors.
Walking without socks in the gym is not that different than showering at the gym without shower shoes.
It’s just gross.
Benefits of deadlifting in socks
Here are the benefits of deadlifting in socks.
1. Wearing socks absorb moisture
Lifting weights in socks helps to absorb sweat and moisture, which helps to reduce the risk of slips, trips, and falls, especially when the floor is wet.
Cleaning the gym floor often happens multiple times per day. Not wearing socks is a major trip hazard.
Accidents from trips are very common in the gym, even among the people who wear shoes.
Most athletic shoes come with a synthetic rubber sole, which provides better grip and traction. However, if you don’t wear socks, the chances of tripping and losing balance go up, not down.
2. Deadlifting in socks reduces bad smell
Smelly feet is no joke. People’s feet can develop odor and smell bad because of the build-up of sweat and bacteria. The amount you sweat can be affected by things like hot weather, excess weight, medications, and so on.
Plus, one study has shown that people who exercise without any socks have 22% greater foot sweat production, compared to people who train with their shoes on.
My point is that nobody wants to smell anyone’s stinky feet. For god’s sake, if you choose to train barefoot, train with your socks.
3. Socks Protect Your Shins
You wanna know how to stop your shins from hurting when I deadlift? Wear deadlifting socks. Most of the deadlifting socks are knee-high, which means they cover the whole lower leg up to the knee.
This is really important for powerlifters and Olympic lifters because you don’t want the bar to scratch your skin.
Wearing socks while deadlifting that have a tight-knit fabric helps to reduce the drag and protects the shin during pulling movements.
4. Gives You Extra Compression
I find that deadlifting in socks is better than going completely barefoot. I feel it adds extra compression that helps me with better ankle stiffness.
Plus, the full-length deadlifting socks are designed to stabilize, support, and stimulate pressure around my calf as well as with my foot.
Technically, I could use just regular long socks that cover the shin and call it a day. However, I prefer to use deadlifting socks with some level of stiffness and compression.
Are compression socks good for deadlifting?
Sometimes I also use simple compression socks for my deadlifts.
When it comes to tightness, I like to do deadlifts in my socks that have medium compression (around 15 to 20 mmHg).
They are light and easy to put on. Plus, I also feel like my legs are less tired during the workout, as well as later on during the day.
It does feel like compression socks significantly improve my post-recovery time while decreasing muscle fatigue and soreness.
Learn more: Click here to learn more about how to do deadlifts at planet fitness.
Conclusion
I’ve been deadlifting in socks for over 2 years now and I don’t go back. It helps me feel more grounded, I have better foot and ankle mobility and I feel less DOMS after my workout.
Wearing socks is better than going barefoot because it gives better control of your foot when standing on the ground.
Some socks from CEP compression don’t slip and their proven blend of materials prevents blisters.
I like to use compression socks for the gym, but you can use any knee-high socks, as long as they feel tight and have a good layer of protection at the front.