Fitness Center Attire

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ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  The Commander's Action Line is a forum for the Ellsworth community to make suggestions or voice concerns about Ellsworth directly to Col. Mark Weatherington, 28th Bomb Wing commander. Below, he answers a concern in regard to "five finger shoes" being worn in the Bellamy Fitness Center.

QUESTION
I have recently found out that anyone using the fitness center is not allowed to wear Vibram Five Fingers, or "toe shoes", in the free weight area. Although the employee that is enforcing this rule was not able to give a justification to why, I can make a educated guess at why this is in place. I believe it is enforced because individuals are assuming these shoes will not protect the wearer if the weights are dropped on the foot. This makes sense except for the fact that any shoe will not provide protection. If I was to drop a 45lb plate on someone wearing "normal" shoes versus the Vibram Five Fingers, there will be an injury regardless. There are also other shoes categorized in the "Minimalist Footwear" that are not "Toe Shoes" that the employees are not enforcing; for example, Asics, Nike, Addidas, and Reebok all have there version of the Vibram Five Fingers, but they did not part the shoe into toes. If we go even to a more old school approach, then even Converse Chuck Taylors, which are used by many pro Olympic Weightlifters and Powerlifters, should be banned as well. These other brands have the same, if not less, material used on there shoes has the toe shoes. If they were to really do a study on what shoes provide protection, then everyone should be wearing safety/steel toed boots, which are actually not allowed in the fitness center too.

Please review/revise this policy so everyone can perform at there top athletic abilities in physical fitness. If this is really that much of a concern, then many individuals and soon to more every year will not be able to promote Excellence In All We Do to themselves and others properly.


Col. Mark Weatherington
Col. Mark
Weatherington		 RESPONSE
First, thanks for the question and for your dedication to a fit lifestyle.

When first introduced, the manufacturer's guidelines recommended restricting the use of this product in areas where a potential safety risk would occur, such as the free weight room areas. We followed this guidance from the manufacturer.

Based on your question, we asked our safety office to reassess this issue and they concluded there appears to be no greater potential for mishap by wearing Vibram footwear products as there is with ordinary fitness shoes.

As a result, the Bellamy Fitness Center staff is amending current policy to allow the use of this product in the free weight area. Should you have additional questions concerning this topic, please feel free to contact our Fitness Center Director, Mr. Rick Ives, at 385-2266/7772.