Numbness in toes/feet while doing cardio (mainly eleptical)

aslaurais
aslaurais Posts: 14 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Hello! I've always loved to exercise but as long as I can remember I've had an annoyance. My feet seem to at first get prickly on the heels and then toes. I wiggle my toes but still have the numbness. I recently bought new shoes (2 and a half sizes larger than the last thinking perhaps the larger size would help!) and they are better but I still have it. I put in some new 'Smart Arch - Custom molding orthotics" insoles in my shoes today for my workout but still had the numbing. Does anyone else have this problem? It's very annoying. I am just 'sucking it up' and doing the best I can but it's hard some days. I want to do 3-4 days of cardio/strength training and finding a solution would be so nice.

Thanks everyone in advance.
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Replies

  • HoneySunrise
    HoneySunrise Posts: 29 Member
    I have this very same thing and I've always wondering what it was. Like you, it seems to be the worst on the elliptical. I recently bought different shoes as well and it has helped a bit but not cured it. I think you're on the right track with the arch support, I always thought it might have had something to do with that. I never did figure out what it is but I'm glad to know I'm not the only one this happens to!
  • sjflowers
    sjflowers Posts: 148
    I had it too, but after pushing through it for a few weeks, it went away. I don't know what it is, but I don't think its anything to worry about.
    Good Luck
  • mzabicki
    mzabicki Posts: 13
    This happens to me too, I think it has something to do with posture, but I don't have any proof to back it up. I just noticed that when I stand straighter and don't slouch it isn't as bad. It's annoying but I don't think it's harmful. If it's something that you really love to do you may want to ask one of the trainers at the gym if your using the machine properly.
  • aslaurais
    aslaurais Posts: 14 Member
    Cool! So glad I'm not the only one! :D I bet it is my posture (will try standing taller tomorrow!). I spent a butt load of money on some Brooks hoping that would be the cure. I had originally been wearing some Sketchers for a year (size 8) and a specialist at a running store said my left foot was a lot larger (size 9.5!). So maybe I'll try another insole. I stepped on the 'Dr. Schol' foot thing at Walmart yesterday and it said I had a flat foot.. Maybe we all need more support?

    So glad I'm not alone.
  • wxgurl
    wxgurl Posts: 52 Member
    Definitely not alone! Mine is due to the fact that my second toe is longer than my big toe...so it never goes away, but I try to get shoes with good toe cushioning.
  • waldenlev
    waldenlev Posts: 102 Member
    I have it too, seems related to the fact that you don't actually lift you foot off the ellipitical so it never gets releif from pressure. I find that getting off the ellipitical every 10 minutes for just a minute or two really helps. As for shoes, not sure as I do ellipitical barefoot.
  • azwildcatfan94
    azwildcatfan94 Posts: 314 Member
    If your gym has more than one type of elliptical machine, try a different type. Sometimes different ones "fit" you better.
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    I wouldn't buy special shoes to correct this problem specifically for the elliptical- it happens to lots of people! Just move your feet around on the pedals periodically. If you need special correction for other activities, go for it, but moving your feet around should correct the problem on the elliptical.
  • sarscott
    sarscott Posts: 189 Member
    I was having that issue when I started running and really worried it was my weight and that I wasn't going to be able to continue until I lost more... A friend suggested I tie my shoes just a little looser and that seemed to do the trick! :)
  • DakotaKeogh
    DakotaKeogh Posts: 693 Member
    I wasn't experiencing this. But what was happening to me was my feet would spasm and charlie horse as soon as I took off my workout shoes. I mentioned it to a trainer and he looked inside my shoes and at my feet. He made some recommendations for different shoes and the problem disappeared. It's worth a shot to talk to a trainer or your doctor about it.
  • recoiljpr
    recoiljpr Posts: 292
    Actually, I "believe" I know why this happens to some of us. Do a test and walk normally around the room. Are your toes pointed out or in? Are your feet flat or do you walk over or under pronated? I walk with my toes pointed a bit out and I have over pronation (walk somewhat on the outer edges of my feet). When you are on an eliptical, your feet naturally go the way they want to and you put a lot of weight on one part of your foot (which causes the numbness, etc). When I am outside and my feet are able to move freely (when running) I never have the problem at all. I can run outside for an hour without any issues.

    What I found works for me is full length inserts. The 3/4 length inserts cause me to have an even worse time at it. Go to your local sporting goods store and find a good full padded insert. Take out your shoe inserts and replace it with that one. See if that doesn't help, I know it helped me!
  • konamouse
    konamouse Posts: 21
    Check your back posture. You might be pinching the low back nerves as they come out of the spinal column (look up spinal stenosis). If you are rounding your back, or have a slipped disc down in the lower region (L3-5 or S1), that can contribute. Strengthen those core muscles, don't slouch when sitting on a couch, lower back support in chairs/driving.
  • judyshin1220
    judyshin1220 Posts: 3
    Hey guys, kind of new to myfitnesspal!

    I used to have the same problem and it is more than likely because you are placing too much pressure on the front balls of your feet (which is apparently common) or the laces might be tied too tight. Both reduce circulation to your toes. Try changing your posture while on the elliptical making sure that you whole foot is on the pad, and if the numbness still happens, you might want to consult your physician. Make sure to take some breaks and regain that circulation in your foot in the meantime!

    Hope this helped! :)
  • DinahKyle
    DinahKyle Posts: 186 Member
    On the elliptical? Pedal backwards for a while - the change in movement restores the blood flow :)
  • donnab83
    donnab83 Posts: 105 Member
    I get this too! No idea why! I find moving my feet to the edge a little bit more helpful!
  • jillleanne
    jillleanne Posts: 72 Member
    Often numbness in the extremities is due to your circulation. Especially if your new to cardio, or are just starting a new cardio routine. You body can only pump so much blood around, and it chooses to pump it to your large skeletal muscles, brain, heart and other organs essential to life instead of pushing it down to your toes or fingers. As you improve your cardiac function this should go away. If not it could be another issue.

    Good Luck!
  • MogwaisGrandma
    MogwaisGrandma Posts: 195 Member
    I get used to get it really bad it too. Eliptical is worse but I also get it when I am on the treadmill. I try and adjust my feet to relieve it but it just comes back. Might try the peddle backwards thing, on the ET, next time it comes on but it has got better recently.
  • darciecoles
    darciecoles Posts: 7
    Sounds more like nerve compression, specifically the sciatic nerve. Not true Sciatica, it's what we call "pseudo-sciatica" or piriformis syndrome, and it's fairly common in people who do lots of running or standing cardio. What happens is that the nerves that make up the Sciatic nerve (which later splits into the Common Peroneal and Tibial nerves in the lower leg) get compressed somewhere along it's course. Due to the nature of nerves, you'll often feel numbness and tingling at the most distal point of the nerve, even if the compression happens closer to the source. The most common place for this to happen in the leg is actually in the glutes, specifically where the sciatic nerve passes under the piriformis muscle (in roughly 20% of people, the sciatic nerve will actually pass through the piriformis muscle belly), hence Piriformis Syndrome.

    The piriformis muscle is the major external rotator for your leg (rotates your leg and foot outwards). If you look at your feet while standing in your normal posture, you'll note that one or both feet will point outwards. Another indicator is if you sit in a chair with both your knees and hips at 90 degrees, and place one ankle over the opposite knee to create a figure 4. If you're piriformis is tight on your "4" leg, your knee will be drastically higher than your other knee. This is also the stretch position I recommend for most people as it's simple to incorporate into their daily lives--all you have to do is press your knee towards the ground to until you feel a stretch through your glutes.

    Numbness and tingling is a symptom of a problem with the nervous system, NOT the circulatory system. Compression to the circulatory system will result in blanching, colour changes, and often swelling distal to the source of compression. If you have either or both symptoms on a recurring basis, you should definitely speak to your doctor or another medical professional. Most often it can be treated with soft tissue manipulation, stretching routines and education, but it should not be taken lightly (but don't freak out either).
  • hjy319
    hjy319 Posts: 269 Member
    I get this too, the only shoes that I dont get the numbness in is my 5 finger shoes ( the toe shoes) its like being on the elliptical barefoot.
  • markklug
    markklug Posts: 4
    I have had this problem also, it's primary cause is from your foot strike on the machine try moveing your feet forward or back
    it little to see if this helps,also you may be pushing too hard with your feet. Try useing your arms more on the machine.
  • thisisjl
    thisisjl Posts: 1,074 Member
    Definitely not alone! Mine is due to the fact that my second toe is longer than my big toe...so it never goes away, but I try to get shoes with good toe cushioning.

    Hmmm is this really the cause of numb feet while working out? Mine is also longer than my big toe.
  • Megdmcda
    Megdmcda Posts: 273 Member
    my second toe does it on my right foot.....like someone said i think it may be constant pressure cuz mine only does it when i dance.....and i do it barefoot and tend to stay on my toes...........first time it happened i thought maybe i had broken my toe or something cuz i stubbed it earlier that day lmao
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,990 Member
    It happens because of CONSISTENT PRESSURE on the medial plantar nerve. And the heavier you are, the faster it happens. Easiest way to relieve pressure is to lift you feet off the pedals occasionally.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • somedaysoon84
    somedaysoon84 Posts: 82
    I have it too, seems related to the fact that you don't actually lift you foot off the ellipitical so it never gets releif from pressure. I find that getting off the ellipitical every 10 minutes for just a minute or two really helps. As for shoes, not sure as I do ellipitical barefoot.

    this used to happen to me as well, and it could get unbearable. i now get off and have a 30 second stretch/ water break between miles on the elliptical, ans it doesn't happen anymore. i also rotate using my whole foot and just the ball.
  • healthyhawaii
    healthyhawaii Posts: 11
    I have also had this happen to my big toes on each of my feet, but not while exercising ... I used to walk a lot in heels at work, and at the end of the day, I noticed that my toes would often feel numb. After a visit to the doctor, she concluded (after ruling out diabetes, which can cause numbness in extremities) that it was nerve damage caused by over-compression/overuse. I have .excessive Q angles on both my legs, and I suspect that that is what most of you have, too. This is more common for women than men due to our wider hips. Google it ... an excessive Q angle generally causes an over-pronation of the feet, in turn causing over-compression of the big toe (in my case) or other parts of the feet. Custom orthodics are one solution.

    Of course, that's just one explanation ... aside from diabetes, nerve issues, etc. :)

    HTH!!
  • sleepytexan
    sleepytexan Posts: 3,138 Member
    RSI: tarsal tunnel (like carpal tunnel, only in the foot).

    Get off the elliptical and try something else.
  • HoneySunrise
    HoneySunrise Posts: 29 Member
    My second toes are bigger too! On both feet.
  • caro1275
    caro1275 Posts: 198 Member
    I was having that issue when I started running and really worried it was my weight and that I wasn't going to be able to continue until I lost more... A friend suggested I tie my shoes just a little looser and that seemed to do the trick! :)


    Yes to above. This also happens to me and I agree with the poster above :)
  • jameswanless
    jameswanless Posts: 9
    Over pronation is rolling inward with collapsing ankles and arches. Under pronation or supination is walking on the outer edges of your feet.
  • jameswanless
    jameswanless Posts: 9
    I have over pronation (walk somewhat on the outer edges of my feet).

    Over pronation is rolling inward with collapsing ankles and sometimes flat arches. Under pronation or supination is rolling to the outer edges of your feet.

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