MBT Techniques

MBT stands for Masai Barefoot Technology, which started in 1996. The theory's basis focuses on the positive effects on the human body by keeping it slightly off-balance or unstable. The Masai people walk barefoot everywhere, and the result is stronger musculature and fewer back problems. The overall goal of the technology remains to ease back and joint pain by building muscle and reducing shock to the entire skeletal system.

  1. Concentration

    • To begin using MBT shoes, you should only wear the footwear when you can concentrate on walking. At first, the instability feels strange, so focusing on your steps will keep you from falling or hurting yourself. Also take in how the overall walking motion feels in your new shoes. The more you recognize the differences, the better you will be at properly balancing.

    Slowly Build up Time

    • At first you should only wear the shoes between 30 to 45 minutes per day. If you are more physical fit and used to being active, you can wear the footwear up to two hours. Wear these shoes every day, the same amount of time for a week. Each week you should add 15 to 30 minutes per week until you are able to wear the shoes comfortably for more than two hours. At this point your body has adjusted to the overall feeling of the shoe and you can wear the MBTs all day.

    Stride by Pushing

    • Change your stride by learning to push your body instead of pull it forward. MBTs help you keep your stride at an appropriate length to keep you in balance. Most people tend to walk with their bodies in front of or behind their natural center of gravity. This weakens the core muscles and causes issues like back pain. As you learn to work with your center of gravity and take natural strides, you will see an increase in your core muscle strength as well as the proper usage of all body muscles. This helps to alleviate bad habits and correct various joint pains.

    Use For Training, Not Competition

    • MBTs tend to be good for training to walk or run long distances, but not for actually competing. Because of the instability the MBTs cause, you are unlikely to achieve your best time if using the shoes to compete. Training with the shoes gives you an advantage when switching back to normal shoes for competition. It is similar to running with additional weight. Your muscles get stronger and then perform better when the weight is removed. Overall, it should give you a bit of a time boost.