Anybody Else Get Tinkling and Numbness in Feet While Working Out at the Gym?

YUP!!! had the exact problem. My shoes were too tight! My feet grew after I had my 3rd child. This is not uncommon for women.

Yes, ask for a referral. It sounds like a circulation problem or "carpal tunnel". Don't wait too long though. If doctor doesn't think you need it, as for referral anyway.

Hi C.,

I had this exact same thing happen to me on the elliptical, and after reading a lot on the web apparently it's very common. I ignored it for a long time and ended up at the podiatrist's office getting an injection in that toe. The doctor's advise was stay off the elliptical, or split up that time with stationary bike. He also said be sure and move your feet around on the pedals, don't keep the same position.

Mine do it too and they have not found anything wrong but you should still get it checked out especially if it started all of a sudden. Your feet change when you are pregnant so it could be a result of that.

Yes, it used to happen to me until I realized I was tying my shoes too tightly. Doesn't happen anymore.

HI C.- I had this for years before it became a bigger problem- basically you are walking wrong and your ligaments and tendons are stretched- your ankles are probably a bit weak. - I let this go on for years and finally it became a problem with my hip/knee muscle spasms....I would go see a chiroprator - I dont' know where you live but I have one I would suggest that can specifically help with this problem- I went to several tohers befoer he coudl actually tell me what was happening to my body - and put me through aggressive treatment and inexpensive orthodics...it's getting better- but I've got a long way to go. Let me know what part of town you are in - I have two that I would recommend- one in Alpharetta and one in Canton..
best of luck
Nikki Kenney
mother of 3 boys

YES!!! This happens to me, on the treadmill too, and makes it uncomfortable to work out. It has done it for as long as I can remember no matter what my size. It did it when i was 18 and still does it now 11 years later... I told my husband and he looked at me like i was crazy and i mentioned it to the trainer at the gym, and he said I was trying to make an excuse not to work out. Glad to see I am not the only one, but I can't offer you any advice on what it may be. The only thing I could think of was poor circulation because my hands and feet are cold a lot too... Hope you find an answer on here and me too...

Numbness and tingling in the toes is quite common with my friends and me at the gym while using the ellyptical machine. It goes away after you're off of it. We've discovered, however, that if you'll stop and go backwards for a couple of minutes, that it goes away, then you can resume the forward motion. HOpe this helps.

Hey C.,
Like some of the other women said, this happens when you use the elliptical machine sometimes....it has nothing to do with your health. Just to be sure do something else and see if it happens then. I had this problem too and I got a good shoe with a wide toe box...it allows for your toes to have more room. I spin and sometimes it still happens on the spinner.

Hi,
I haven't worked out at the gym in a while (shame, shame), but on those machines, many people tend to push with their toes. And that much pressure on your toes probably causes the tingling. When I sit at the computer, I have my feet back, my heals up, and my toes pressed down and my feet always tingle. The same when I'm rocking my baby girl in the rocking chair, I push off with only my toes and my feet always end up tingling. Try making some changes based on that and see if it doesn't go away!

C.,

Tingling and numbness can be caused by a multitude of things. You could have pinched a nerve somewhere that is causing that sort of sensation. I'm not sure what sort of condition you are in, but if you are heavier than advisable, sometimes circulation issues are at fault. My husband had numbness and tingling in his fingers and toes which was directly related to both his cholesterol and weight (which at the time was not so good). It has since abated. When he eats poorly, and I'm talking about a lot of bacon cheeseburgers, he said that he would get that sensation again.

You should definitely see your doctor, especially since you are hitting the gym again. Congrats on taking such good care of yourself! He may refer you to a neurologist for an MRI.

E.

Sometimes it can be due to your body being out of alignment. I would try a chiropractor and tell him your problem and see if that remedies the problem. I get tingling in my leg at times, but that gets fixed after a visit to the chiro.

I have an elipitical at home, and my feet do the same thing. I am not sure why it is. It happens when I wear sneakers, so I have been using a pair of Merrell flip flops, which have really good arch support and I do not seem to notice the problem. But you would probably look pretty silly at the gym wearing flip flops.

Do what your husband says. That is not normal. Maybe vitamin d deficiency/circulation issue J. Gordon

Mine only did it on the elliptical. I've been working out 2x week for almost 2 years. It doesn't happen any more. Can't quite remember when I noticed that it was gone. It might have been when I changed gyms and the ellipticals are different. Try a different one if your gym has different brands.

I recently started having the same issue in step class. I've been taking step for a long time so I figured it wasn't just being new to the class and my feet needing to adjust. Then it dawned on me that I have recently gotten a new pair of running shoes. They actually had a wider toe box than my normal brand but less arch support. So I'm not exactly sure of the "foot-science" but when I switched back to my old shoes for the next class, I didn't experience that issue. So while I agree that this could be just an elliptical machine issue, I would also suggest trying different shoes. It also made me learn my lesson in trying to get away with buying a less expensive pair of shoes. In the long run <pun intended>, they're just not worth it.

Hi C.,

Both my husband and I have experienced that same problem, but only on the elliptical trainers. I'm 5'5" and weigh 115 pounds so I don't think it has anything to do with weight other than you are putting a lot of pressure on each foot as you continually push down on the "pedals". I've tried moving my feet around into different positions. Sometimes it helps, but not usually. I wear very good running shoes when I work out. I think it's just a problem with that particular piece of equipment so I switched back to the treadmill and stationary bikes.

Hi C.- yes, I have it, too, and always on the elliptical machine and nothing else. Started noticing that I tend to lean forward onto my toes when I exercise. Now when it starts to tingle I focus on leaning backwards and pushing through the heel. This has helped a lot.

Hi C. - Good for you getting out there and exercising! I have the same problem. I think that it is because I put the pressure on my toes. I try to use my entire foot - putting more pressure on the heel. This seems to help. Keep up the exercising - it will be worth it!

i was getting this a little and ignored it no i have Plantar Fasciitis. I have high arches in my feet and the doctor told me to make sure I had massive arch support. I had to buy special insoles for my tennis shoes. I never had this problem until my second child. When i started working out again I was tearing the tendon in the bottom of my foot becuase it wasn't use to all the work anymore and i over exerted. I would get some really good insoles if you have arches make sure you have arch supports and if it doesn't get better talk to your doctor.

Numbness and tingling are NEVER normal. I recommend seeking out a good family chiropractor. There is probably a misalignment in your spine or neck that is causing the feeling. If you are in the Charleston, SC area try Atlantic Coast Family Chiropractic on Trolley Rd in Summerville. Dr Heather Wyant is the chiro there and she has cared for my family for the past few years.

Hi, I have had the same problem since I started the elliptical about a month ago. I have also noticed if I move my feet around, and place more weight on my heels it helps. I have had trouble with my shoes being too tight, and I will be buying a new pair. I have also noticed that it helps alot to stretch before getting on the machine, from toes up...A.