My feet go numb when working out

I went to an athletic shoe place and they told me you should wear a size bigger when you are running (road, treadmill, or elliptical). They sized and checked to see if I needed inserts. I did. The shoes cost a $100 and the inserts were $40. Not bad. I haven't had any problems since.

There are many reasons why this can happen. Usually numbness is caused because of a lack of blood flow to that area of the body. It can be anything between your heart and feet causing it. Even too tight of a belt can be enough!

I'd start with your shoes. As a lot of people said, they need to be loose enough. Your feet do have the tendency to swell during extended cardio work. So start with looser socks, and don't lace your shoes as tight.

Next, look at the pants you are wearing. Do they leave ugly red marks on your skin after a workout? There is a chance that they are too tight. Most have some give, but you can get clothing too small.

If you continue to have problems with this, see a doctor. This can be a sign of something more serious.

Happens to me too on the elliptical, thought it was just me, nice to know I'm not the only one :ohwell:

I get this problem on the elliptical sometimes. Best I can figure is a circulation thing and the whole centripical force thing.

Here's my theory. Ellipticals and treadmills are great and all but it is not the same as walking or runing outside and I think impacts people differently because we all move differently.

With the elliptical your legs are moving around and around and around but your feet don't often leave the pedals so your stride and range of motion is mostly the ankle and up which could be inhibiting blood flow. I've also noticed that if my feet start in the middle off the pedals after a few minutes of intense movement they have shifted forward (the centripical force thing i mentioned - like swinging your arms back and forth really fast and you can feel the blood pooling in your fingers).

The tread mill is more natural but if you were walking/running outside the ground doesn't move the way the belt on the treadmill does and depending on your stance and how/where your foot impacts the belt you may be not be getting a full reange of motion thus blocking some nature blood flow.

When this happens to me on the elliptical I usually just try to make a point to pick up my feet every now and then and shake (or tap like somone else said) them out. Also going in reverse helps some.

Maybe your heart rate is getting too high? When I do cardio my nose/lips and fingers tips go numb. =\

I also have that same problem, have for years when I'm on those same machines. I just try to wiggle my toes and change my direciton on the machine. I find that helps. I know my shoes are the right size so it can't be that and I don't tie them too tight.




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It could be your laces. A friend of mine recommended these -- not only do you not have to tie your shoes or worry about them becoming untied, they give with your foot and actually help the shoe wrap around and form to your foot better. You can pick them up at your local running store or check them out here:

http://www.roadrunnersports.com/rrs/products/NYT489/

Here is the company website the explains them in a little more detail:

http://www.yankz.com/

You have alot of good ideas here, my feet burn after about a half hour of running or the eliptical....I just know that I am really pushing my body then....
Good Luck!

this happens to me. roll some tennis balls under your feel - helps to stretch them. buy bigger shoes... they felt to big for me... but have made a big difference. still happens on long runs so I have stuck to shorter intervals.

Looks like it is pretty common....Happens to me sometimes when I run, but doesn't kick in until I've gone a couple miles. I changed shoe brands and it stopped.