Feet going numb on the elliptical

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Replies

  • NaturalinCO
    NaturalinCO Posts: 164 Member
    Yep, this happens to me too. According to Dr Oz the laces are indeed too tight. He suggested tying your laces the opposite direction - or should I say LACING your shoes the opposite direction so they tie at the toe. I'm sure it'd look awfully odd, but I do need to try this myself! It's typically just my toes though - and very, very annoying.
  • ckenning
    ckenning Posts: 71
    That has happened to me many times...I tie my laces to tight I figured out.
  • jadedone
    jadedone Posts: 2,446 Member
    This happens to me when my laces are too tight. Especially at the front of my foot (near my toes). And if my feet aren't placed well and I am relying on the balls of my feet. So I adjust. And use reverse as well.
  • wiginn
    wiginn Posts: 147 Member
    I have had this problem in the past, too I have found that changing direction every 5 minutes has really helped (and works the muscles differently, too).
  • lovelyrose11
    lovelyrose11 Posts: 609 Member
    I have the exact same issue! My hubby makes fun of me all of the time. I have loosened my shoes to the point where they felt like they were gonna fall off and my feet still go numb. I have no idea why!
  • tinattinat
    tinattinat Posts: 56 Member
    My feet used to go numb, too. So I started do the backwards setting on it. I think it was forward for 5 minutes and backwards for 2 minutes. When I did that, it wouldn't really happen. Don't know why it happens in the first place, though. But the last couple times I've got on one, I went to 30 minutes and no numbness at all. Maybe try a different machine or a class or something! Change things up!
  • DopeItUp
    DopeItUp Posts: 18,771 Member
    I will +1 all the people who mentioned weight distribution. Something about the elliptical motion makes you lean forward/push with the balls of your feet typically. What I usually do is:

    1) Lift feet off of the pedals slightly at the top of the motion for a little bit.
    or
    2) Purposely lean way back so you're forced to use your heels
    or
    3) Lift toes/ball of foot off of the pedals for a minute or so, periodically. Only your heels should touch the pedals for this period. Kinda difficult at first.

    All of these things relieve the tingling almost immediately.
  • fisherlassie
    fisherlassie Posts: 542 Member
    You might try a different pair of shoes. Min felt like that with one but not the other. Actually the best thing for me on the elliptical is Birkenstocks! Funny I know but it's true!
  • craig1970
    craig1970 Posts: 139 Member
    I remember in my cycling class the instructor asked this question and her recommendation was to get a hard soled shoe, one that is not made for impact. I kind of have a 3 tier shoe system. I buy shoes for running, when I need new ones my current ones get bumped down to all other exercise, and then to elliptical and cycling.

    I think because of the cushion which is made for impact your foot doesn't come off the pedals to allow circulation. At least I have found this to be true for me.

    This sounds like problem and the solution! Nice input.
    I'll try tennis shoes instead of running shoes on the elliptical to see it it helps me, thanks.
  • rdsxgrl28
    rdsxgrl28 Posts: 165 Member
    Had this exact same problem after I gained all this weight. A friend suggested I go to a running store here, Marathon Sports.

    I figurd they would try to sell my $300 shoes LOL! Nope I got orthotics - sports gels and BINGO!! Just a $20 fix.
  • mlb929
    mlb929 Posts: 1,974 Member
    I've had the same issue - as I do when I run. After many dr's visits to many different tests, specialists, etc etc - my massage therapist pin pointed the problem for me.

    My piriformous muscles gets tight - rubs on my sciatic nerves and feet go numb. I do a big series of exercises for stretching my hip flexors, piriformous, and glutes, and this helps a bunch. Had nothing to do with how tight or shoeless I was. My elliptical at home I went barefoot on, and it make no difference.

    I work now on strengthening my hips and butt to try to give my overworked piriformous a break.
  • RockaholicMama
    RockaholicMama Posts: 786 Member
    For me it was shoes. I had a pair of Nike runners and my feet would go numb on both the bike and elliptical. I tried losing my laces and even wearing thinner socks. For me, if was the shoe. I switched the ReZigs and haven't looked back. Those things are great on my feet. Yesterday was my first day back to the gym after giving birth 3 weeks ago and once again, they never failed me :)
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