Help with shoes...foot falling asleep on elliptical?

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Replies

  • Missjulesdid
    Missjulesdid Posts: 1,444 Member
    I like to do the elliptical for 45-60 minutes at a stretch and my feet going numb was definitely a problem. I was able to greatly reduce the numbness by focusing on the running motion and lifting my own feet rather than just let the machine push them up on the upstrokes. I don't lift off the machine completely but I use my own strength to pick up my legs so that my feet are just barely touching the pedals. Also I do a heel to toe foot strike and lift my heel at the end of the strike really mimicking the walking/running motion (ok so yeah I know you shouldn't actually run with striking your heel first but on the elliptical it seems to work). It's not really a "foot strike" more like a weight shift from my heel to my toe at the appropriate time. It takes a bit of practice but play around with replicating the natural walking motion and hopefully you'll greatly reduce the numbness. Also, I think I get a better workout doing this as I am playing more with balance and using more of my own muscle/energy.
  • leannems
    leannems Posts: 516 Member
    Agreed with what everyone said - move your feet around (up off the pedal a bit, more forward on the pedal, more backward on the pedal) from time to time will prevent them from going numb. The only thing I didn't see mentioned was to go backwards every now and then to change your stride and put the pressure elsewhere. I do between 30-45 minutes on intervals, 4 lines forward, 2 lines backwards, etc., and have no numbness.

    One of my feet does fall asleep while running. It's the foot I under pronate. Lacing my shoes differently helped, but I think getting a really good pair designed for under pronation would probably be the only thing to make it go away while running.
  • Amanda_Gx6
    Amanda_Gx6 Posts: 320 Member
    This happened to me a lot before I read a different thread on here.

    Firstly make sure the bottom of your laces aren't tied too tight. this prevents you from moving the ball of your foot and therefore causing it to "fall asleep".
    Second you are probably putting far too much pressure on your toes when you are on the elliptical, use your heel/center of your foot, sometimes I lift the balls of my feet just to move them and get the blood flow going.
    Lastly if neither of the above work for you try going backwards for 10 minutes, this forces you to apply pressure to your heel instead of the ball of your foot and gives the circulation a chance to come back around getting rid of your pins and needles feeling.
  • k_nicole87
    k_nicole87 Posts: 407 Member
    Every. Single. Time. And My shoes are actually a little too big for me. Only my toes go numb. Weird.
  • WickedPineapple
    WickedPineapple Posts: 698 Member
    I had this problem when I first started on the elliptical as well. I did find when changing shoes from regular gym shoes to a running style that the numbness went away. However, I may have started moving my feet differently or modified my stance as time went on in addition to the new shoes (I've been doing it 3x per week for a year now). It doesn't happen anymore at all.
  • getdancing2013
    getdancing2013 Posts: 72 Member
    Wow! Can't believe all the responses :smile: Thanks everyone...

    As far as my posture, I tend to sit back because this makes me push with my entire leg instead of putting so much pressure on my knees. I'm worried about moving my feet up and down off the pedals because I fear this will increase the pound/pressure on my knees. I've noticed the bigger the incline, the more they get numb, so maybe go at a lower incline and just go at a higher tension.

    Haven't thought about barefoot - it's a gym, so I think they'd frown on that :wink:

    I need new shoes just because they're old and are starting to get some rips in them, so either way new shoes are in order. But while I get them I'm going to try changing up the lacing and the incline tonight and see how that helps.

    Don't know about doing flip-flops - (a) not sure the gym rules on this, and (b) I have bad ankles and flip flops tend to strain my ankles/feet in general just walking around, so I can't imagine it'd feel any better on an elliptical while working out.

    Good to see I'm not alone, though...thanks again. :flowerforyou:
  • getdancing2013
    getdancing2013 Posts: 72 Member
    Well, update - I did change the lacing to the straight across, and it took a bit to get used to since it felt like my shoe was going to slip off. However, I did notice less of the numbness and tingling. It was still there a bit, but it was definitely better. I definitely paid attention to my posture, too. Tried lifting my feet and "stomping" down but I was feeling it in my knees, so I went back to keeping the foot on the pedal. Thanks again for all the advice :smile:
  • bc2ct
    bc2ct Posts: 222 Member
    Try walking instead of using the elliptical... it is a more natural movement and doesn't hold your legs in a weird straddle position.

    If you really love the elliptical though there is no real reason to wear shoes at all... it's not like you are going to be stepping on something unexpected, right? You would probably benefit from just doing it in socks :D
  • getdancing2013
    getdancing2013 Posts: 72 Member
    Try walking instead of using the elliptical... it is a more natural movement and doesn't hold your legs in a weird straddle position.

    If you really love the elliptical though there is no real reason to wear shoes at all... it's not like you are going to be stepping on something unexpected, right? You would probably benefit from just doing it in socks :D

    Yeah, this is at the Y and I have to wear shoes :smile:
  • Amanda_Gx6
    Amanda_Gx6 Posts: 320 Member
    I would NEVER go barefoot/stocking foot in a gym. YUCK just think of all the fungus and planters warts and bleck, PUKE!!
  • asciiqwerty
    asciiqwerty Posts: 565 Member
    It's not your shoes.

    This happens to me, too... I did a bunch of research about this on Livestrong & a few other sites... I thought I was doing something wrong, or need to do something different, but the pressure points on your feet never changes while you're on the elliptical (not like walking or running)... your feet are gonna fall asleep : (

    I get it on the bicycle too
  • RINat612
    RINat612 Posts: 251 Member
    http://katierunsthis.com/2011/10/04/running-shoe-lacing-techniques/

    This just blew my mind. I've spent 31 years on this planet not knowing there was more than one way to lace a pair of shoes. Holy *kitten*!
  • amieosia
    amieosia Posts: 20
    This happens to me too!! I didn't even think about my shoelaces. Thanks everyone!

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