Elliptical trainers and feet

Has anyone else noticed that walking on elliptical causes the balls of your feet to ache? It took a year of walking on the trainer before I encountered this problem. After having the problem, I started talking to other elliptical enthusiasts at the gym and they have mentioned that they have problems with the balls of their feet ranging from callouses to pain. In my discussions, I mentioned that I use athletic tape on the balls of my feet to keep from getting challouses but I haven't found anything for the pain! This is why I am posting....do any of you have this problem and if so, what do you do about it?

I've had pain in my feet ever since I started exercising on my elliptical too. Have you ever heard anything to get rid of the pain or are we working out on it wrong?

 After adding the elipitical as part of my exercise regiment for only two months I started experiencing pain on the ball of my foot.  I went to a podiatrist and found out that it is a neuroma (kind of like an impinged nerve that's swollen, too).  I would suggest that you have a doctor look at your foot as soon as possible because the longer you wait to seek treatment, the longer it will be until you return to normal and the more drastic measures will have to be taken to get it taken care of.

I never really made the association before that my pain started so soon after I started the elliptical.  I'll have to ask my doctor what he suggest.  Maybe better shock absorbing trainers?

I also have pain when I use my ellitical trainer.  Sometimes my toes even go to sleep.  I try to keep my feel flat on the pedals and not rise on the balls of my feet.  I wear orthotics but they don't seem to help this problem. I have had issues with my feet for years and I think this is just something I will have to put up with.  It won't stop me from using it. 

wlcash777: I, too, experienced major numbness in my toes when using my elliptical.  I read on another CalorieCount post that you should tie your shoes VERY loosely and this will prevent the numbness.  I tried this, and it worked!  It feels a little weird having your shoes this loose, but your feet don't move around too much on the elliptical, so it didn't bother me too much.

I get a burning on the balls of my feet after about 1/2 hour of working out on the elliptical. 

I don't get a pain in my foot, but my toes do go to slepp sometimes. Wonder what that is.

I work out at the YMCA (various ones within my metro area).  They have many different brands and types of elliptical trainers.  I have noticed different issues with different machines.  The toe numbing happens on the machines that have foot pedals that don't stay parallel to the floor.  These have your toes of the foot that is up pointing downward, putting more weight or pressure there.  I find the styles that keep your feet parallel to the floor are less stressful on the body overall.