👟 The silent mistake at Valdebebas that could lead to injuries

Yahoo

05-08-2025

In the sophisticated gym of Valdebebas, where every minute of training is optimized, a silent practice has become habitual among many Real Madrid players: doing strength exercises with highly cushioned running shoes.
What seems like a minor wardrobe choice may be directly affecting the quality of strength training and, in the worst-case scenario, increasing the risk of injury.
👟 The wrong footwear: more common than it seems
According to the photos published by the club on its official channels, a good part of the squad does squats, lunges, deadlifts, or plyometric exercises with shoes designed for running long distances, not for weightlifting.
These shoes, known for their high cushioning and soft sole, are designed to absorb impacts, but not to provide 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?
Wasted performance: the strength developed in exercises like deadlifts or squats depends on a stable base. If the shoe absorbs part of that force, the player wastes part of the benefits.
Risk of functional injuries: the instability of a soft shoe can lead to micromovements in ankles, knees, or hips. In elite athletes who already carry high volumes of load, this can result in tendinitis, sprains, or chronic back overloads.
Postural misalignment: many running shoes have elevated heels and curved soles. This modifies the athlete's natural posture, something especially delicate in exercises where the spine and pelvis must be kept aligned and firm.
✅ What should they be using?
The ideal is to use weightlifting shoes or flat, firm shoes like CrossFit, such as those used by Carvajal, Rudiger, or Mbappé in the photos disseminated by Real Madrid.
👍🏻 Does training with unstable shoes provide benefits?
Training strength with unstable shoes can have certain benefits for the professional footballer, but only if done in a specific, controlled, and targeted manner.
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. But in the high-performance environment, small margins create enormous differences.
And something as seemingly trivial as gym footwear can be the difference between a brilliant season... or an injury that changes everything.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.
📸 PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU - AFP or licensors