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Click to view perchcreek's profile Legend 821 posts since
Aug 15, 2007

Apr 13, 2007 10:48 AM

Toes hurt/numb on Elliptical

Now that I do a bunch of cross training on the elliptical, I've found that the front part of my feet start hurting after about 40 minutes or so. For long sessions, I have to stop and massage them and then resume. This never happens running. I've noticed the feet platforms for my elliptical (a Scwinn) are slightly tilted down. (this is good for my plantar fasciitis)

Has anybody had a problem like this on the elliptical?

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Click to view Flyin Hawaiian's profile Legend 398 posts since
Dec 14, 2007
1. Apr 13, 2007 11:03 AM in response to: perchcreek
No, but I had it running and on the treadmill. It was caused by my shoes. I got the right sized shoes and the right model (Nike Free) and havent had a problem since.

Laurie

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?Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm.?.
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Click to view tonya921's profile Legend 587 posts since
Dec 14, 2007
2. Apr 13, 2007 11:04 AM in response to: perchcreek
I started doing the elliptical machine at the gym I belong to a
couple of years ago when I had a meniscus tear. My physical
therapist told me to do it regularly, and to continue with it
once I started running again (6 months later) because it helps
keep the muscle around the knee area strong. Since I don't work
out it helps with the strength in my entire leg in general. So I have
been doing it regularly, (at least 4 times a week), when I run.

I have had this problem you speak of quite a bit. I find that whenever
it happens I just need to cut back from doing the elliptical for a few
days, and then my feet are back to normal.

How long do you usually work out on it?
Is it always 40 minutes? (I do 60 minutes at a time everytime)
Do you do it everyday, or how many days do you do it during the
week?

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Click to view TMWIP's profile Pro 197 posts since
Oct 18, 2006
4. Apr 13, 2007 11:18 AM in response to: perchcreek
Hi - I have only used an elliptical while on vacation when both TM's were broken in the hotel gym. My foot when numb during the workouts. I just assumed maybe I was pinching a nerve somewhere? I've never had this running.
Click to view dshclio's profile Legend 264 posts since
Jul 9, 2007
5. Apr 13, 2007 1:29 PM in response to: perchcreek
I to have my feet go numb while using the eliptical I think its the motion not shoes. I've worn same brand and model for 6 years
Click to view philofan's profile Rookie 2 posts since
Oct 13, 2007
8. Apr 13, 2007 6:14 PM in response to: perchcreek
I also have the "numb feet" elliptical problem, usually in my case after about 15 minutes. A number of my friends suffer the same thing, we all thought we were crazy until we started talking to one another.

I found that stepping off the pedals slightly for at least part of the session, or raising my heels and doing a few revolutions on my toes, helps a lot. Although most of the articles I've read recommend well-padded shoes, I also found that I personally do better in bare feet. Shifting weight periodically by leaning more forward, pedalling backwards for a while, or "sitting" for extra quad work seems to minimize the numbness also. I can usually stand it for about an hour (4X normal) using these little tweaks. Hope these ideas help!
Click to view rbbmoose's profile Legend 324 posts since
Oct 12, 2007
9. Apr 13, 2007 8:49 PM in response to: perchcreek
Steve - I have the same problem, at about 40 minutes or so on my Schwinn Elliptical trainer (I do 6 miles at level 15 every day when I can't run).

Strange thing is it only happens in one foot.

If you find solution, I'd be interested....right now I just suffer through it.

Ray
Click to view rbbmoose's profile Legend 324 posts since
Oct 12, 2007
11. Apr 15, 2007 4:35 PM in response to: perchcreek
Hi Steve... I usually do around 60 - I guess that's RPM - It ends up being 6 miles in an hour. I don't use the arm things at all.... I made a book holder and read which is the only thing that keeps me sane. - I ended up buying two of the Schwinn trainers and keep one at home and one in my office so I can do an hour at lunch. I can get my heart rate up to a bit over 160 during these sesions.

I just tried an hour session and tried conciously lifting my feet a bit at each revolution and that seems to make a big difference in the numbrness - as suggested in previous post it seems like the numbness just comes from constant pressure on feet.

Ray