Toes go numb during some workouts????

Ok, so I am now debating on whether or not this ONLY happens to me....When I work out on one of the cardio machines, whether it's the stair climber or elliptical, halfway through my toes start tingling and going numb.  I currently work out 5 days a wk (mon-fri) and do 60 mins each time.

Any one else experiencing this?????

You're definitely not the only one. I only have this happen only on my left foot, not the right and it doesn't seem to matter which gym shoes I wear. I workout 5 days a week also but each day it happens.

You're definitely not the only one. I only have this happen only on my left foot, not the right and it doesn't seem to matter which gym shoes I wear. I workout 5 days a week also but each day it happens.

I used to have this problem and I realized that I was tying my shoelaces too tight... now I keep them looser and I haven't had a problem...

Hhhmm, I think I will try your idea today lizzie.

It is just so frustrating.  Most of the time have to stop half way through to just kinda shake my leg out (even though I'm not tired) and then jump back on.

This happened to me to, I thought something was wrong with me.  But I was just lacing up my shoelaces to tight. 

One major reason your toes can go numb during cardio is FORM. So many people don't think form on cardio machines is important - it is! Repetitive movements and bad form can cause serious body damage.

Pay attention to how you are placing your feet on the equipment while you do your cardio.

Elliptical machines it is ESSENTIAL that you push with your HEELS. Otherwise you will lose blood circulation to your toes.

Stairclimber - same - Push  down through your heels!

Your feet simply weren't built to push your entire body weight through your toes for an extended period of time.

Treadmills - you could be taking too long of a stride. Make sure you are not moving faster than your feet can keep up with good form

Also make sure you are wearing supportive shoes that fit and support - but are not so tight they are restricting blood flow. Shoes being used daily for gym/cardio use usually require replacing about every 3 months (sometimes more or less)

Other cardio tips: Never use your arms to support your body weight on a machine. If you can't keep up without hanging off the support bars - you're doing it wrong!

Good luck - if you keep having issues ask a personal trainer/staff at the gym to check your form for you - this won't take long and they should help you out free of charge.

Original Post by cclynne:

This happened to me to, I thought something was wrong with me.  But I was just lacing up my shoelaces to tight. 

Yep, same with me.

what a great post! it happens to me all the time too :)

Thanks jef9up for the tips, that really helps.

LOL it happens to me too! only on the elliptical, and only my right foot. how funny. thanks jef9up, those are great tips!

From personal experience I agree that pushing with your heels instead of your toes does help to keep your toes from going numb - at least it works on the elliptical trainer. I used to have the same problem until I read that advice on an earlier posting on this board. So it doesn't only happen to you!

I work out 5 days a week 45 min on the stairmaster, 25 running and then weights.  I have no problem when I am running.  But on the stairmaster my toes in both feet where going numb every time I used it.  I thought I was nuts too. 

Whoever wrote about FORM is absolutely right.  I am not a trainer or anything, but you can't cheat on those cardio machines. 

Long story short - I was on the stairmasters without arms (just bull like horns on the top).  I would try to to cheat by leaning my forearms on the bottom of the horns in between the book holder and clasp my hands behind the machine.  So that the book holder would just barely it the top of my forearm where at 45 min 5 days a week of this repeatedly I started to show a very light bruise.

After a month of this, one night I was at my house and I couldn't feel the back of my hands against the throw blanket.  I freaked and went to the doctor.  He said because of my poor form on the stairmaster I was severely damaging the nerves in my hand and if continued I would loose feeling permantley in the back of my hand.

SO PLEASE BE CAREFUL on the cardio machines.  It can give anyting from tingling toes, backaches (which you are clueless to where they have come from) and especially nerve damage! 

This is your body telling you something.

My toes frequently go numb when I do repetitive motions with my feet - walking, cycling, elliptical.  I've never tried pushing with the heels on the elliptical, though.  I have very wide feet though, so I think that's most of the problem.  I usually can't find normal shoes that are wide enough.

The toes on my left foot always go numb, no matter the shoes.  I walk on pavement.  I will pay attention to my form and yes maybe I am tying my shoes to tight on the left one anyway.  I thought it might be a circulation issue.

I have this problem too.  I have very high insteps, so tightening laces is a problem.  Gotta at least keep the shoes on!  I also have low blood pressure and long legs... figured the combination of the three was doing it.  It's not just restricted to machines either.

You are definitely not alone. I've experienced this also when doing long workouts on the elliptical - anything longer than 30-40 minutes and it feels like my toes are fighting my socks. The culprit is that your feet are in constant contact with the equipment, which is why long workouts walking and running don't cause the numbness. Here's a couple articles I found really quick:

http://ezinearticles.com/?Elliptical-Trainer- Sleepy-Foot-Syndrome&id=78854

http://www.fitstep.com/Advanced/Questions/Que stions/Cardio/foot-numbness-stair-machine.htm

me too  -- what worked for me was loosening up the lower laces - I was tying too tight to keep the heels from slipping out - one day my hubby pointed out that I didn't have to cinch up my whole foot to keep the heel in  So, I loosen up the foot and tighten up the ankle enough to not slip and my toes have been fine! And it feels sooo much better!!!!

Good Luck!
Michelle

just started to happen to me!

I have been experiencing same thing when I run! I have been fit by running center for shoes, have gel inserts, loosen my laces. Come to find out I was running forward on front of my foot. Now when I walk/run I concentrate on posture and has helped greatly!