Elliptical Trainer problem

This happens to me as well and I've never been able to resolve the problem but just "push" through to the end of my exercise period. I thought it was just me until you wrote this. I'll try reversing the motion to see if it helps although I have found that by flexing my feet while working out does provide some relief as does shifting my feet to a different position occasionally but not completely.

I think I am the one person in the world that doesn't like Ellipticals. However, when my parents bought theirs, they went to a trainer to be fitted (apprently like treadmills, your height and stride matter). I remember the trainer telling them that the proper way to use them was to make sure your entire foot, heel to toe, was flat on the pedals when using it.

You know, I"ve never had this happen to me...although I do tend to move my feet a few times over thr course of the workout...=o/

I have that problem too, I find that moving the postion of your feet helps and also, oddly enough, drinking water!!! I have tried this several times and it helps me...odd I know:laugh:

ooooooo - read this!

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/7583-looking-to-buy-an-elliptical?hl=numbness#posts-54248

IF YOU CHANGE THE DIRECTION YOU ARE PEDALING AS WELL AS CHANGING FOOTING POSITION YOU ACTUALLY WORK DIFFERENT AREAS OF MUSCLES.

The first time I got on one, I thought it ONLY went backwards! :blushing: :laugh:

I am a member of the numb feet club--I thought it might be because I am so short (5 feet) and everything seems so oversized. (I pretty much blame everything on my height, though...)

You have got to be kidding me!!!!

I've had alot of lower back problems & actually went to my doctor because of the numbness... x-rays, bloodtests - he referred me to a neurologist because he couldn't figure it out- appointment next week - guess I'll cancel it :ohwell:

I knooowww! Here is the part from that link I posted above that I was trying to refer to. (There is a lot of impertinent info on that post....sorry...)

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From catlover:

My friend sells equipment for a living and he said to buy one with the widest stride you can find, 14 being better than an 11, and one that spaces your feet as close together as you can so that you are walking in a more normal stride. It should feel like you're walking.

****Lots of people report that they experience numbness and that has to do with the way you walk on it. Chris said to make sure you walk like you would walk normally and NOT keep your feet flat on the pedal or your feet will definitely go to sleep. Good luck. *****
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My reply:
by cmriverside
Joined Aug 2007
Posts: 1,243
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OMG! catlover - thank you for that little bit of information about numbness. I have really long legs and my left foot always goes numb about 40 minutes into a workout on an elliptical. But I get a much better stretch and I read that you want to keep feet flat because it makes you use more muscles. BUT I have no idea where I read that - I don't even know if it's true. (Well, apparently it isn't!)

I'll stop thinking I'm going to have a stroke.:laugh: I have asked many people about the numbness, and no one had any ideas. Glad to hear it isn't just me. I learn something from mfp every day!

~Cheryl