Anybody get numb feet?

I know, it sounds pretty weird to me, too.  When I work out on the elliptical, my toes start to get numb -- about 8-10 minutes in, it'll start with my little toe and then spread and get more intense, until 30 minutes in, I can't feel any of my toes or the balls of my feet.  It's not painfull, per se, but very strange -- and when I try to shift my feet, I get that uncomfortable pins-and-needles feeeling.  It eases away within a few minutes of getting off the machine.

I asked a trainer at the gym, who told me that it was normal; it's the endorphins kicking in and messing with my pain receptors.  Huh??  That makes no sense . . . if endorphins did that to runners, wouldn't they trip themselves?!  And aren't endorphins still going strong for a while after the workout?  I've also had it suggested to me that it might be a sciatic nerve problem or a circulation problem. 

Does any of this ring a bell with anyone?  (BTW, for those of you who were so helpful in my sneakers post, I did get a *yummy* pair of NB cross trainers plus special cushy insoles -- so I don't think it's related to my ouchy feet problem!)

I think it's a blood circulation problem. I would skip that exercise and see if it still happens. If you find that machine is causing the problem, you should either skip that machine or really work on your form when you use the elliptical. I have never used that machine so this is just my deductive reasoning - please let us know what you find.

YES!!! I thought that I was the only one that happened too...at first I thought it was my sneakers, but that is not the case....I am not sure either why that happens and would LOVE to know!

Cyclists get this sensation.  On the bike numb feet can come from unknowingly holding tension in the feet, and relaxing them can fix that.

Have you tried moving your feet around in your shoes (wiggling your toes) before the sensation gets bad? On regular intervals? Also, make sure your new shoes have the right arch support (too much and too little can throw your feet off-whack). You could also try shifting your weight around to the balls of your feet occasionally. Another thought; take a look at how you plant your feet when you walk (in/out/straight ahead); try placing your feet in that same direction on the pedals of the ellipitcal.

Then there is always the podiatrist if there is a real problem, but the sensation is generally just tension (trying to 'hold-on' to the machine without realizing it).

Good luck!

Thanks, all, for the ideas.  It's probably true that I have tension in my feet . . . "holding on" is a good way to describe it.  I'll try working on that.  I have been trying to wiggle my toes, but maybe not soon enough or not frequently enough?  I'll try that as well.  If I can't find some relief with those things, I'll be talking to my doc about it when I get a physical (which will be as soon as I make sure my new insurance will cover it!).  The next theory on my list is the circulation -- I have always had trouble with my hands and feet getting cold easily, so that's a logical assupmtion to pursue.  I'll update when I figure something out!

This happens to me too... I've tried 3 different styles of runners as well as varying my running technique... i've heard raising your toes is supposed to help... but it still happens to me..

This happens to me also.. but only on my elliptical at home, when I use the precore at the gym or their ellipticals, I don't get the numbness, maybe it is because I am leaning more forward on my home equipment then the ones at the gym.  Strange feeling though!

If I were you I would get a doctor to check it out, that way it wont sit in the back of your head everytime it happens, just double check for health reasons... promise?

http://www.calorie-count.com/forums/post/1946 .html

http://www.calorie-count.com/forums/post/1340 8.html

http://www.calorie-count.com/forums/post/8746 .html

Check out these old messages there are several more like this on the forum.

I get it when I've spent most of my elliptical time on the balls of my feet (a pretty natural position when you're going forward).  I think it's just the circulation getting cut off, just like your leg might fall asleep if you're sitting funny.  When it happens, I try to make sure my heels are down so I'm riding flat footed, and sometimes reverse directions for a few minutes, and it usually clears up pretty soon.

Thank you for asking. I have been getting this and thought it was just me. Silly of me to think I could be that special. But it also relieves me to know Im not. Like jjdhtp, I get it on my home trainer but it didnt happen on the bigger machine that I used at the Y a few years back. On the home machine my feet tend to work themselves forward until my toes are against the front wall of the foot support, so I am constantly working on keeping my feet back and in place. I thought about getting some stick on grips (strips that you would stick on stairs). Maybe that will help. I also need new shoes so maybe the combination will fix everything. Thanks again for asking adavid and thanks to the rest of you for the advice.

This link from one of the other threads is pretty good:

http://www.ellipticalhome.com/elliptical-trai ner-sleepy-foot -article.html

I'll try more wiggling next time, then maybe check it out with the doctor

Hey--I think anyone who's ever been on an elliptical for a decent amount of time has felt that. 

I read an article (can't remember where or I'd tell you) that talked about the reason behind it.  They said that it's similar to if you stand in one place too long, or sitting on your foot.  It's basically the same thing with respect to yhour feet--they never leave the foot peddles, so you're putting pressure on the balls of your toes even tho it's great for your knees and joints.  The lack of motion and pressure can cause your feet to lose sensation.

The article went on to say that you can increase circulation by wiggling your toes here and there throughout the workout, or rock your foot from heel to toe on the peddle as you go.  It also said not to do excessively long workouts (30 to 45 minutes was recommended, if I recall).

:)  Amy

Ha!  DJKitten--I was writing and you were posting the article!  Classic!

This happens to me about 40 minutes in....but only my left foot.  I use a cross training eliptical and what works well for me is to lift my foot, bend my leg, while continueing revolutions with just my arms for 8-12 strides.

I've noticed that if I go shoeless, I don't get that feeling.

Wow!  I don't get online much over the weekend; I come back to a million responses!  Thanks, all . . . it's nice to know I'm not alone. 

Saturday morning I did 15 minutes, and made a distinct effort  to relax my feet so as not to "grip" the pedals, and to consistently wiggle my toes very few seconds.  It definitely helped.  I'll know better when I do a longer workout, but at 15 minutes, I only had a slight pins-and-needles sensation, which is significantly better than it had been.  I'll also work in some of the other suggestions here, like picking up my feet, reversing direction, etc.

And yes, chrisrai, I promie I will get the doc to check it out.  I plan on scheduling a full physical in the next few weeks.  Thanks, everyone! 

I tried moving my toes around more this time... They didn't really start fall asleep until the 25-30 min mark this time... which is much better than the 8-10 min it was happening. I'll try again tomorrow and see if it was a fluke ;)

Check your shoes.  The same thing happened to me.  My feet would literally be like two numb clubs, and just walking after 55 minutes on the machine was very weird.

I switched from athletic shoes to some Merrell slides I found at Value Village (thrift shop).  They are open toed, bottoms like athletic shoes, but give my toes plenty of room. I get weird looks at my club, as socks and these slides look strange, but I darn sure don't have numb feet anymore!

I thought I was crazy for asking my trainer at the gym the same question. If i'm on the ellipitcal for more than like 15 minutes, my toes go numb also. My trainer also told me the same thing...that it's normal. I asked him if it was my shoes, and he said he doesn't think it's that. So I went out and bought a new pair anyway, and they do the same thing. I'm use to it by now, so it doesn't really bother me.

This happens to me too, and I'm sure it's the pressure thing akin to sitting on your feet.  When I wiggle my toes on the elliptical though, it doesn't really help or I lose my balance. 

Instead, I try to lift my heels and even lift my foot an inch or two when I pedal forward so that my feet actually get some impact.  It wakes them up.