Tingle Toes

gavians
gavians Posts: 72 Member
edited November 9 in Social Groups
I just made a huge investment in an Octane 47ci Elliptical. But I have a problem, after about 20 minutes my toes start tingling and going numb. I have pretty new sneakers and they are the identical model that I have bought several times over the years and found them really comfortable. They are a bit loose in the toe so I tried tightening them. Still tingling. To make matter worse, I have fibromyalgia so I am more suspetible to these types of pains hence why I need low impact cardio with an elliptical.

What do I do? Has anyone else experienced numb toes on their elliptical? Any recommendations?

Thanks!
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Replies

  • Teksavvy
    Teksavvy Posts: 133 Member
    I don't wear shoes at all on my elliptical. My wife and I use thick athletic socks. Since it's just our family, the foot pads never get dirty. We haven't had a problem with foot traction either.
  • AllanMisner
    AllanMisner Posts: 4,140 Member
    It happens to me from time to time. I just keep working through it and it usually takes care of itself.
  • kayleen_longworth
    kayleen_longworth Posts: 147 Member
    I have that happen too. I thought it was just me or the way I was standing with most of my weight forward on the balls of my feet vs. balanced on my heels. I do plan on getting new shoes, but I don't know if it's really the shoes or if it's more posture/position.

    ETA: I workout at the gym, so really don't have the option to not wear shoes.
  • HalloweenGirl7
    HalloweenGirl7 Posts: 123 Member
    I thought it was just me!
    I have the same problem.
    Only on the right foot.
    I did notice my foot slides a bit forward in my shoe on that foot and squishes my toe.
    I was gonna try a toe separator and tongue pad in the shoe.
    If that doesn't work I will buy new shoes.
    Let me know if you find out why this happens.
    Weird...
    PS: I have fibro too.
  • tiddlyjinx
    tiddlyjinx Posts: 181 Member
    I have that happen to me too. I have asked a few others and same thing. I have tried different shoes, same issue.
  • kayleen_longworth
    kayleen_longworth Posts: 147 Member
    I just read on MFP that tingle toes possibly is due to the shoes not being big/long enough. Like you should wear running shoes that are almost 1.5-2 sizes larger than ordinary dress shoes. Something about giving your foot/toes more room to extend and move, as well as swell during the exercise. Not sure how I feel about this, but it seems like it might be a possibility. I normally like my shoes to be just the right size, but maybe getting a size larger wouldn't be a bad idea. I normally don't have an issue while running, just on the elliptical.

    It was in the post about getting new running shoes.
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/475802-running-shoe-suggestions-needed
  • gavians
    gavians Posts: 72 Member
    My current shoes have ample toe room - too much if anything perhaps. I did try just using socks and no shoes but that didn't lost long because of the aggressive tread pattern on my machine -- it was hurting my feet in a different way! Last night I tired using these Crocs Rx that I have. They are really glorified slippers with a rubber sole and it seemed to work the best so far. I got a little "tingle toed" but not nearly as bad as before when I would feel it for hours after my workouts.

    This is all very frustrating to me. When is this ever going to get easier? I run into some weird problem no matter what I do. Sucks getting old!
  • whitetiger011680
    whitetiger011680 Posts: 218 Member
    It happens to me too. I have that that when it happens I'm usually leaning forward on the machine putting too much weight on that part of the foot but if I make myself stay in a more upright position it goes away.
  • hope25
    hope25 Posts: 188 Member
    One of my feet does this two if I go over 45 min.s or so.
  • ChelseaHamman
    ChelseaHamman Posts: 29 Member
    Happens to me as well. Usually both feet. I always wear the same shoes and it doesn't happen all the time... which (after reading the fitsugar.com article, maybe it is how tight I tie my shoes... hmmm) It seems to be getting less frequent and only after longer period of exercise as time goes on.
  • i used to have that problem when i first started using my elliptical. I started raising my heel of my feet at different times or moving my feet forward and backwards to get the blood flowing. hope it helps
  • Drea_ann
    Drea_ann Posts: 65 Member
    Mine do that too! I have heard the using Shapeups on the elliptical helps a ton, something about releaving pressure from certain parts of your foot.

    I haven't tried that because if i keep going, it goes away. I usually run backwards for five minutes and i feel all better.
  • DLKeeble
    DLKeeble Posts: 200 Member
    I just read about this on the net. There is a term for it, but I have forgotten. (sorry) It is from the foot being in the same position too long. It happens to my husband and myself. Keep moving your foot around during your workout. (front of the pedals to the rear of the pedals. Mine doesn't bother me too much until I reach about 40 minutes and if I up the resistance.
  • that happened to me the first time on tuesday. tripped me out! glad I am not the only one!
  • runner289
    runner289 Posts: 4 Member
    I am glad to learn I am not alone in this problem...kayleen_longw posted two article links that were informative...be sure your shoes are large enough and loss enough in the toes, don't stay on your toes for the work out and alternate between the elliptical and other forms of exercise. Thanks
  • I get it too. Also about 15-20 min in. I try and lift my legs and feet a little of the pads 2 get the blood circulating again, helps me! Good luck
  • leanne9876
    leanne9876 Posts: 301 Member
    I thought it was just me!
    I have the same problem.
    Only on the right foot.

    Same as me,I thought I was the only one and it's on my right foot as well. I thought it might have been my new shoes but I tried my old shoes and same thing happened.
  • leanne9876
    leanne9876 Posts: 301 Member
    I get it too. Also about 15-20 min in. I try and lift my legs and feet a little of the pads 2 get the blood circulating again, helps me! Good luck

    I get it about 15 mins into it.
  • kiittenforever
    kiittenforever Posts: 478 Member
    After about 20-25 min in I get the numbness I slow down and wiggle my toes like crazy helps quite a bit.
  • It happens to me too. Everyday. I read somewhere, that it has something to do with your posture. I have great running shoes, so it's not my shoes. I've tried it for a while without shoes, and it still happens. The only thing that does seem to help a little, is if I keep moving my feet. Front of the pedal for a while, back for a while. And constantly correcting my posture. I wish I could find a better solution too. I might have to try the shape ups like someone else on here suggested.
  • hamonk
    hamonk Posts: 42 Member
    I was told that your foot should remain flat on the elliptical at all times and when you lift your heel up it can cause your toes to hurt or go numb. Just an idea to try...
  • alienrite
    alienrite Posts: 314 Member
    Happens to me for time to time. I use my running shoes because the texture of my foot pads irritates my soul even through socks. I found that if I keep my foot moving, including lifting my heel, it helps. I think that because the foot is relatively fixed that it doesn't pump like it does when running. I also make sure not to over-tighten the laces on my shoes and keep them just tight enough the laces hold a knot.
  • mjkpe
    mjkpe Posts: 98 Member
    While I have not experienced this I do have tingling of the pinky and ring fingers after about 10 or more minutes of pulling, (this also occurs sometimes when I sleep). Any ideas?
  • KickassAugust
    KickassAugust Posts: 1,430 Member
    If you shift your weight to riding on your heals and not your toes this will not happen!

    Plus you get the added benefit of using different muscle groups!
  • ohenry78
    ohenry78 Posts: 228
    Agreed with the last poster; I had trouble with this as well. I usually just fought through it, or took time to stop, pull my shoe back, and continue.

    But then I was reading that, especially on runners with the ski handles, posture is important to get the most out of the workout. It's easy to slump forward to use the momentum to push yourself. But I've found that it works better if you keep your posture upright. Straight back, chest slightly out, and balanced on the middle-to-back of your foot instead of on your toes or anywhere on the front of your foot.

    Standing like this helps prevent the tingling, and also makes your core muscles work out more. You'll find yourself getting a better overall workout. Or, I guess, I shouldn't say that you necessarily will....but it worked very well for me.
  • htimsm87
    htimsm87 Posts: 104 Member
    Try moving your feet around.. Also periodically wiggle your toes for a while and clench / unclench your feet with your toes. This has helped me to keep the tingles away.
  • hollyberry9639
    hollyberry9639 Posts: 3 Member
    My toes fall asleep on various machines and the worse ones are machines that angle downward. I try wiggling my toes, moving my feet, different shoes etc. When it gets too bad I switch to a bike for a while. Looks like this is a pretty common thing, good luck!
  • nivekeh
    nivekeh Posts: 10 Member
    I'm happy hear I'm not the only one.
    I try to make sure the toe of my sneaker isn't jammed against the front of the footrest. That seemed to correct it for me.
  • HoosierBecky
    HoosierBecky Posts: 60 Member
    While I have not experienced this I do have tingling of the pinky and ring fingers after about 10 or more minutes of pulling, (this also occurs sometimes when I sleep). Any ideas?

    I have this problem in my hands too as well as in my feet. The only thing that helps with the hands is just to change position or let my hands hang at my sides for a short time.

    I searched on the Internet for the numb feet issue and one suggestion was wearing flip flops. I tried it and it helped a little but the foot pads on my elliptical have a hard bubble like surface and the flip flops seemed to thin. I think the key is to not have too tight of a shoe. One other suggestion was to peddle backwards for a while but I have never been good at that. Oh, and the posture thing is important too.
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