Skip to content
  • Register
    • We are pleased to announce that as of March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor has been introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

    Toes go numb on elliptical

    Posts: 9 Member
    edited October 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
    After about 15 minutes on the elliptical my toes go numb. Does this happen to anyone else? I've tried everything from getting new shoes to limiting how much my foot moves while striding to adjusting where I place my feet on the pedals. Suggestions?

    Welcome!

    It looks like you're new here. Sign in or register to get started.
    Sign In
    Register
    «13

    Replies

    • Posts: 987 Member
      Everyone I have ever mentioned this to has said it happens to them as well. I switched to the crosscramp and it is easier to keep the feeling in my feet LOL
    • Posts: 954 Member
      I've only used the ARC trainer till today, and never had this problem. Today I used an elliptical and my toes were tingling like crazy.
    • Posts: 4
      Happens to me after about 30 min.
    • Posts: 6 Member
      I have this problem, too. Let me know if you have any suggestions for how to make it go away!
    • Posts: 174
      It happens to me too. I don't know why. It's a bit irritating but I just try to push through it.
    • Posts: 142 Member
      Yup! I tend to use ARC trainer if available to avoid that.
    • Posts: 1,005 Member
      One of the fitness coaches at my gym said to increase the incline if that happens (not the intensity..... that's something different!). I have tried it and it works. Give it a shot. Just bump it up a couple numbers and see what happens. It tilts your feet more and allows proper blood flow to the toes.
    • Posts: 906 Member
      That used to happen to me and the only thing I did was loosen my shoes... I don't know how it helped but it did. Maybe just gave my feet some extra room to move? No idea.
    • Posts: 2 Member
      Oh that happens to me too. I thought I was the only one! Better shoes do help, maybe you still don't have the right pair.
    • Posts: 86 Member
      Bend your knees and stay back on your heals. This used to happen to me but I was given that advice. The tendency is to lean forward too much. Not a problem once I corrected the posture.
    • Posts: 553 Member
      Lolooooo just yesterday I was feeling that but I didn't have the incline on. I don't remember that happening when I increase the incline. Maybe that helps?
    • Posts: 118
      Mine always do that. I've gotten used to it because I love the elliptical.
    • Posts: 531 Member
      I bought new shoes and bought a size bigger than I normally buy--problem solved, no more tingly toes!!! lol!!
    • Posts: 366 Member
      Someone already said loosen your shoes, so that was my answer :)

      The nerves leading to your toes run at the ankle, and if your laces are too tight, they compress the nerves at that spot. :)
    • Posts: 45 Member
      YUP!! What usually helps is not tying my shoes as tight as usual. Then when they start going numb - lift your foot for a few steps, to relieve some pressure. The more you are on the elliptical the less often it will happen. Sometimes my feet don't bother me at all and other times it isn't until 45 - 50 minutes, it use to happen after 10 - 15 minutes, your feet will adjust. Also some light jogger/runners will help because the shoe is not as heavy to move.

      Good luck and have fun...... I love my elliptical and waiting to get my treadmill.
    • Posts: 9
      This used to happen to me, but hasn't happened in a looooong time because I figured out how to stop it. Lift your heels off the platform on the up-strokes just as you would running. You don't have to lift your entire foot off, just your heels. This will relieve the pressure and increase bloodflow. It takes some active thought at first, but now it is 2nd nature. It also makes your balance on the elliptical better because you don't feel glued to the elliptical.
    • Posts: 6 Member
      That happens to me every dang time. I select Reverse Mode so every few minutes it has me change my direction. This allows me to change the pressure from the ball of my foot to my heel. I also really try to shift the pressure off my toes when I am going forward.
    • Posts: 66 Member
      I used to have this problem, it would also happen when I ran. I talked to the lady at my local sneaker store and she told me it was from shoes being too tight across the top of your foot. Try lacing them looser. I had to get new shoes to accommodate my ridiculously high arch, but I've never had the problem since.
    • Posts: 9 Member
      I'll try sticking with a higher incline. I tend to do "Random" where it's constantly changing the incline. Maybe if I just stick to one....
    • Posts: 433 Member
      That actually happens to me sometimes. I thought it had something to do with lack of proper blood circulation. It appears that the more weight I lose and the more active I become, the less this happens. Can't say for certain.
    • Posts: 33 Member
      Make sure your weight is on your heels, not on your toes. I use one all the time and this doesn't happen to me.
    • Posts: 205
      I have that same thing happen to me after about 20 minutes! Thank for posting this! I see a lot of good suggestions & I will have to give them a try as well.
    • Posts: 235 Member
      Bend your knees and stay back on your heals. This used to happen to me but I was given that advice. The tendency is to lean forward too much. Not a problem once I corrected the posture.


      This is what my trainer told me too, focus on leaning back on your heels instead of your toes. It does help once it's started to wiggle your toes, which is hard when your moving, but it helps.
    • Posts: 564 Member
      I used to have this issue and couldn't get rid of it, then I switched to running and haven't missed that elliptical one bit.
    • Posts: 27 Member
      I read somewhere that It is easy to focus all your weight onto your toes when using the elliptical without even realizing it. The pressure on the front of your foot can disrupt blood flow to your toes. Your foot should roll through each step, heel striking first, roll through the middle, and push off with the toes.
    • Posts: 2
      That happens to me everyday! I am a rider so I figured it was because I was pushing off my toes as one tends to do in the stirrup. I guess that is not the case! I found when I put my feet all the way to the back on the peddle with my heel slightly off the edge it goes away.
    • Posts: 416 Member
      vibram fivefingers = solution
    • Posts: 11 Member
      Thank god im not the only one........ I thought i was a freak... :)
    • Posts: 11 Member
      I had that problem until I started changing the positions of my feet while exercising. That has made a huge difference. Also try to push with your heel instead of the balls of your feet. I hope it helps.
    • Posts: 627 Member
      really . . . i can use elliptical for well over an hour with no problem. what the hades am i doing wrong not to get my toes going numb????? seriously you may wish to consult a personal trainer at the gym and pose your question if not satisfied with responses here. possibly your shoes or how you are positioning your feet on the pedals or the need to reverse course every so often.
    This discussion has been closed.

    Welcome!

    It looks like you're new here. Sign in or register to get started.
    Sign In
    Register

    Quick Links

    Categories