As I’ve been going to the gym more often (2 miles on a hilly treadmill program and some weights) I notice a knee hurting. Not terribly painful but enough. My chiropracter once said that my right foot rolls in and was causing my back pain - I’m assuming it is also causing knee paid. What luck has anyone had with using shoe inserts to help?
I think it’s very cool that you even know what the word “kipping” means.
Just an FYI, but there’s place in a workout for both “strict” pull-ups and kipping pull-ups. There’s even a 3rd version called “butterfly” pull-ups.
Keep doing what you’re doing!
Great job on the pull up! I will have to google ‘kipping’.
I walked 9 miles up/down a mountain. My heart pounded on the way up and my feet/knees hollared on the way down. Now my left big toe is very sore/red/swollen at the nail base and the nail is already coming loose.
Guessing this is a shoe issue? I wore running shoes and don’t recall the brand. Thx
“Kipping” or a “kip” comes from gymnastics. Using momentum (swinging) to connect to the next “routine” or the next pull-up in this case.
My best guesses:
It could be a shoe issue (size) — too short & toe hitting front of shoe, or hot swollen feet making a shoe that normally fits feel too tight.
Could be a fit issue (lacing)— lacing is such that it allowed your foot to scoot forward in the shoe & your toe was hitting the front and/or top.
Could be the toe nail needed to be clipped short before the hike.
Or some combo of the above!
I hike in Altra Lone Peak 3.0 trail runners except in winter when I wear hiking boots. The Altras have a very (!) roomy toe box and the lacing/ shoe shape keeps my heel back in the shoe — helping prevent forward slip on the downhills.
I also keep my gnarly toe nails clipped short, and on long hikes, especially long & hot, I tape my feet and change socks halfway.
Sorry about the toe! Ouch!
Thanks for the shoe rec!
Oops. I wear the 3.5, not 3.0 – Looks like the newest style is the 4.0
One of our hiking club members wore these Altras for his entire AT through hike.
FYI, Topo also makes a shoe with a wide toe box.
I stumbled across a gym not far from the house that offers small group classes for the 3 basic power lifts (DLs, Squat, Bench), in addition to strongman/strongwoman classes.
I stopped by the gym today to take a look in person. I think @sushiritto would approve 
I’m going to check out tomorrow’s deadlift class. Gulp. Definitely outside of my comfort zone, but I’m making myself go!
Hi Midwest, I don’t know what to ask but please be sure they are certified to instruct properly so you don’t hurt your back. Going to REI to look for shoes this weekend. Thx again
Not getting injured is very high on my list! Confidence is high that I’ll be in good hands.
One more thing about Altras…if you are not used to a zero drop or near-zero drop shoes, it might take some getting used to — strengthening parts of your foot, ankle, shins, etc.
Yes, proceed cautiously. Listen to your body as I’m sure you do anyway. But even folks with certifications are a mixed bag.
Here’s my thought. Before you go, I’d review an instructional video of each lift before the class to familiarize yourself with the lift. Please don’t “crucify” me here, because I know there are many in the audience who aren’t big fans, but I’d recommend the YouTube CrossFit instructional videos. They’re very short, one minute in length and the video goes over the major points of emphasis of each lift by listing the points on the screen with no narrator, just some background music. Just google “CrossFit Deadlift,” “CrossFit Bench Press,” etc.
Also, remember every human body is different. Make sure you feel comfortable in the position, no pain, and use light weights. Back is always a concern with the deadlift and squat and with the bench press, shoulders are always a concern. However, in the big scheme of lifting weights, these three lifts are relatively easy to learn.
Most of us do deadlifts and squats everyday. If you pick something up off the floor, like a laundry basket, then that’s a deadlift. When you get up from a chair, that’s a squat.
By far, the pull-up was a HUGE milestone, but I’m “online proud” of you for going outside your comfort zone and continuing to improve your body and health!
^^^Totally agree with the above. My trainer recommended zero-drop or near zero-drop shoes to help with knee pain and I’ve found it very difficult to get used to them. I’ve been doing lots of exercises to strengthen tight hamstrings, which my trainer believes is part of the knee pain problem. I’ve got a pair of Altra’s but I prefer the Hokka OV Clifton.
https://www.hokaoneone.com/hoka-outdoor-voices-clifton4.html
Got it! I’ve watched Mark Rippetoe on YouTube going thru proper DL form, and also Nia Shanks. I’ll check out CF!
I’ve taken a video of myself doing a DL in my modest basement set-up, and I did not see anything alarming. However, before getting in to body weight territory, I think it would be prudent to have a session with experienced powerlifters.
The guys I talked to at the gym said one of their members is 83 yo & recently did a 315# DL!
I’ll start with the DL instruction. No interest in bench press. I’m fine with my modest floor dumbbell presses. I’m also fine with goblet squats & not ready to invest in a rack. I’m unlikely to go to a gym regularly. But, I’ll keep an open mind!
I’d rather be hiking! 
Just this past weekend, I saw a older man, certainly not 83 years old, but definitely in his 60’s, not particularly in great overall shape, DL’ing 300-ish lbs. I also saw this past weekend, an older women, maybe 55-60-ish years old, climb the gym’s 15’ rope. That’s no easy task.
Zero-drop shoes are helpful if you are trying to midfoot or toe strike, instead of heel strike, since runners who midfoot or toe strike do not need the extra padding on the heel, which can lead to unintended heel strikes for them. But runners who continue to heel strike may find the less padding in the heel to be more painful.
Update: no deadlift class today, but one of the owners (middle-aged, powerlifting champion & coach) suggested we do a technique assessment.
It was fantastic. He asked good thoughtful questions about my routine and set-up at home. He had me start with 20# on the bar, and I told him I was going to say aloud my check list for getting into position.
After my first lift, he said “not bad” and made some corrections to my positioning/form and he gave me some other pointers to add to my check list. It was VERY helpful.
I had some questions about the descent and he had good tips for that as well.
He kept saying “Wow. Great. Let’s add another ten pounds.” I was relieved that his corrections were mostly tweaks and reminders, not OMG you’re going to seriously hurt yourself.
He got a personal best out of me. Deadlifted 135# and he said it looked really really good. “You’ve got this!”
He encouraged me to stop by the gym any time I had questions, or wanted another session, and I told him I’d be back if and when I’m ever ready to learn to back squat.
I’m so happy I went! And believe me, I was full of dread this morning! lol
Wooo!
Way to go Midwest
This made me chuckle. 
Sounds like you’re a natural! 135# is outstanding.
FWIW, there are off-shoots of deadlift. If interested in a couple accessory (optional) deadlifts, then look into “sumo” and “Romanian.” They’re performed with lighter weight and work different muscles than the traditional deadlift. Only if you think you want more variation in your deadlift workouts.
He offered to show me a Sumo DL and I took a pass. Maybe someday if I get bored with my little basic routine.
I’m going to focus on the straight bar now for DLs and set the trap bar to the side. My confidence is way up.