Anyone else's toes/feet go numb when working out?

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Replies

  • mleech77
    mleech77 Posts: 557 Member
    As most others have said, check the way you're lacing your shoes. If that doesn't help out I'd also suggest going to a proper running store and having them fit you for a pair of shoes. I used to have issues with my feet/legs when running, and after being fit for the right pair of shoes that all went away.
  • likemeinvisible
    likemeinvisible Posts: 309
    Feet swell with the workout so even when your laces were loose when you put them on, they might still be too tight afterwards.
  • srm1960
    srm1960 Posts: 281 Member
    :noway: bump
  • KirstenTheFamilyCoach
    KirstenTheFamilyCoach Posts: 327 Member
    I had this problem along with significant shin splints. I loved to Vibram's and it went away mostly. I still get numbness and pain but it's so much better than it was before. Part of it is that I'm overweight and under trained and part of it is that I have poor circulation and part of it is that I have very very very high arches.
  • Rebirth08
    Rebirth08 Posts: 174 Member
    It's amazing. When you come out and mention a problem, it's cool to see how many other people relate. I've experienced that too, mainly on the elliptical. I attributed it to standing in one place and moving at the same time. So, when I feel that numbing coming on, I will just shake my foot out a bit or re-position my foot on the foot plate thingy and that helps. But with the elliptical (thought I haven't done it in some time) I choose not to go for more than 30 min at a time. Because my feet do feel uncomfortable after some time. And as far as shoes, I bought some really good ones too - I have asics, arch support, larger size, all of that. I just think it's the elliptical, for me..

    as far as what you can do, I suggest moving your foot around on the foot plate thingy as you are exercising, and limit yourself to 30 min at a time. Treadmills don't bother me like that, but I'd rather do home dvd workouts (Tae-bo, aerobics, dancing videos) and exercise outside (walking/jogging, jumping jacks, etc) because I don't experience those problems. My favorite cardio machine tho is the stationary bike.

    So, for you, it may be that the elliptical and treadmill are good, but you should limit your use on them (not stop them alltogether tho) and explore other ways of getting a good workout (as you have been doing with JM and other things) :-)
  • zombilishious
    zombilishious Posts: 1,250 Member
    Your shoelaces are probably tied too tight over the top of your foot.
  • KatieJane83
    KatieJane83 Posts: 2,002 Member
    I had the exact same problem, and as others have said, it was a lacing issue. I know, it sounds ridiculous but that's what cured this problem for me and allowed me to actually run.

    Try lacing it the way they show for 'PROBLEM: High Instep' on this site - http://katierunsthis.com/2011/10/04/running-shoe-lacing-techniques/

    It allows the laces to be nice and loose across the top of the foot while still having enough length left to actually tie them properly, lol
  • Shyonenz
    Shyonenz Posts: 10
    Well done - will bump this for later :)
  • TeachTheGirl
    TeachTheGirl Posts: 2,091 Member
    Sometimes my pinky toe would fall asleep. I think it's probably due to my sneakers, but it only happens on rare occasions so I'm not too worried about it. Also I found that I had to plant my feet differently during stationary moves.
  • LavenderBouquet
    LavenderBouquet Posts: 736 Member
    This used to happen to me on the elliptical and treadmill when I wore certain shoes. I just started doing my workouts barefoot and it went away, though I realise this may not be a practical solution for everyone. I also didn't work out at a very intense level, so I didn't need a lot of support.
  • Mandamanda93
    Mandamanda93 Posts: 213 Member
    Sort of! The outsides of my feet go numb because of where I put my weight (very wide hips means I tend to put the pressure on the outside of my foot). It may be similar for some of you guys, I'm not quite sure.
    I'd check out where you place your weight, anyway. It could be anything from that to your shoes just being too tight.
  • tobejune
    tobejune Posts: 177
    I had this problem and changed the way I laced my shoes and it was instantly fixed. Google image search tying shoes to prevent pain in _____ (whatever area bothers you) good luck
  • crystal2point0
    crystal2point0 Posts: 52 Member
    I've always has this problem also on the elliptical. I will slightly change the position of my foot (without stopping the w/o) and wiggle or scrunch my toes to get circulation back. Its not long term fix though cause I have to do it several times throughout the w/o. I recently started wearing five fingers and it still happened one of the times I wore them but not the others.......so i'm not sure if its the shoes but it does seem much better.
  • bonjour24
    bonjour24 Posts: 1,119 Member
    it happens to me every time i'm on the elliptical. i've changed my shoes and tied my laces differently, but no change. i think it's to do with the location of the pressure on the foot. i still just do my workout with numb feet.
    i also used to get numb feet when i ran any more than about 10k. then some wonderful person on here showed me several different ways to tie my trainees. now i still get numb feet, but i usually deserve them after running for about 4hrs!!!
  • davesch2
    davesch2 Posts: 2
    I'm glad I've seen this post, I get this when snowboarding and exercising. I'll be trying out different lacing techniques to see if this cures it.
  • GGeileen1
    GGeileen1 Posts: 13 Member
    I get this too sometimes. Does anyone know if this has anything to do with salt consumption? Should we maybe lessen our sodium intake? Thoughts?
  • paintedlady77
    paintedlady77 Posts: 154 Member
    Lol! I thought it was just me! I'm buying new shoes this week. :flowerforyou:
  • CH0DE_LICK
    CH0DE_LICK Posts: 7
    My legs fall asleep when I'm on the toilet.
  • Rhozelyn
    Rhozelyn Posts: 201 Member
    bump
  • keepitcroosh
    keepitcroosh Posts: 301 Member
    Funny! The girl on the elliptical next to me the other night over heard me tell my friend about that. She said she researched it and also saw a podiatrist, and she needed arch support inserts. This is apparently very common with the elliptical because the foot beds you stand on are so flat. So is a treadmill. Outdoor running you have variations so it doesnt happen then. She said look it up on WebMD. See a foot doctor, or just try a bunch of arch inserts. I am going to do some reading up this weekend.


    I totally agree with this! I went to go see my doctor because i was getting that feeling every time i was on the elliptical, treadmill etc. . I unfortunately have a bunion and it started hurting as well. That's when it became a concern. I went to see a specialist, they hooked me up with custom made orthotics and there is a huge difference! I also tie my shoelaces very tight, even for weight training. Im sure this was one of the causes as well. My custom orthotic inserts can fit into heels, running shoes, flats, anything. I wear them all of the time. My suggestion though, don't go to some store and get a random pair of inserts, i had been trying to find an insert that WORKS for the past 6 years, and it got me nowhere until my doctor suggested i see a specialist and get it custom made. Also the really great thing about this was that i definitely needed to change my running shoes, and the specialist gave me tons of options and even told me which ones to stay away from.
  • DawnieB1977
    DawnieB1977 Posts: 4,248 Member
    It happens to me on the elliptical sometimes, usually if i do more than half an hour. It doesn't happen on any other machines though.
  • lynn1982
    lynn1982 Posts: 1,439 Member
    This used to happen to me on the elliptical. Switching directions every 10 minutes or so for a few minutes usually helped a bit, but then my feet would always go numb again. I started seeing a chiropractor about a year ago for back issues and I found my feet no longer went numb...so for me, it was an alignment problem.
  • ahsbasketball21
    ahsbasketball21 Posts: 3
    This problem is commonly fixed with cross training. May want to start out on the bike or stair stepper for 10 minutes and then try the elliptical or treadmill. Just switch machines every 10 or 15 minutes or so. May want to try a hamstring and calf stretch if not doing so already.
  • erickita89
    erickita89 Posts: 422 Member
    I also have this same problem! but t doesnt appen on an elliptical. it happens during my cardio classes when i am jumping around alot. I switched to a different sneaker and now it isnt occuring as often but it still happens. i just thought it was happening cuz i was over weight and my feet couldnt support the movement i was doing at my weight. my joints also hurt sometimes after.
  • erickita89
    erickita89 Posts: 422 Member
    This used to happen to me when I did step aerobics. I don't do step aerobics anymore.
    holy crap yes especially when i have the stair infront of me! ugh
  • davesch2
    davesch2 Posts: 2
    My legs fall asleep when I'm on the toilet.


    lol, I think you're sitting on the toilet too long then!
  • RhodRhod
    RhodRhod Posts: 109
    So I have been having this happen to me on the treadmill when I went from 3 miles to 4 miles, so bad I had to back down to 3 miles again. I googled how runners lace their shoes and did a full 4 miles with just a slight tingling. I wanted to tell everybody who had suggested lacing shoes differently thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart and I bow down to your awesomeness.
  • kirstymiller25
    kirstymiller25 Posts: 1
    I have been having this problem since I started jogging again. I bought some new shoes Ascis (same as my last pair just a newer model) in size 6. i tried the bigger size in the store felt like that was too much room in the front of the shoe so I stuck with a 6. I have noticed after about a mile of jogging my left toe starts to go numb and continues to stay numb until I am done running. After reading this thread I think I will try the loosening of laces to see if this helps seeings how it is my left foot and not both. I only notice this numbness while jogging. I have been debating whether I should go the next size up on my shoe to see if that helps but then I would worry about having too much movement and have a new problem altogether.
  • NomNomMom
    NomNomMom Posts: 80 Member
    I had this problem as well, I just found out that I was tying my shoes too tightly! :embarassed:

    Yes, been there too - worked for me when I loosened my laces a bit also. Simple fix! :laugh:
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