Question
I have recently began the eliptical trainer at the gym for 45 minutes, 3-4 times a week.  The problem I am having is about 15 minutes into it my feet start to burn, tingle and feel numb.  I am constantly picking up my feet, wiggling them and my toes around in my shoe while on the eliptical.  Any ideas as to why this is happening?  I have good socks on and my shoes are not tied to loose or too tight...?  I am perplexed.

Answer
Hello Renee

Sure. Your feet are having bad circulation. To be expected; we are standing on the bottom layer of our feet, so the blood has  trouble going thru, even on feet in excellent condition.

With bad circulation, an acid builds up in the muscles in your feet called lactic adid. That causes the pain. When you get off the machine, move your feet around, the blood resumes flowing again, washes away the lactic acid.

Here is what you can do; a different form of aerobics. Elliptic may not be suitable for you. All of us are different. For me it is running. Forget it, I get too tired, to fast if I run for a while.

I find that stairclimbing works great, as well as The Step. Every time you lift your foot, your feet can flow blood again.

Also, break-down your aerobics into small 5-15 minute exercises, 2-6 times a day. I do mine when I wake up, during break at work, during lunch at work, during my afternoon break at work, and again before I go to bed. What every you do last 72 hours. So you can skip 1-2 days when you are tired.

When you lie in bed, lie on your back, stretch and tighten up your legs, then your entire body. Then go to sleep. This quick 1-2 minute exercise releases all the muscles in the body so your entire body can get blood flowing into the muscles. The next day you wake up feeling a lot better.

Hope this helps. Thanks for the great question. If you have any more problems, or more questions, please write again.

How is your gym exercises coming along? Are you also doing stretching, balancing, and weightlifting? If you have a power rack at the gym, even better!