Exercises to Help Your Feet

At NY Foot Health, we’re always extolling the virtues of regular fitness activity and how it helps your feet and the rest of your body. There are also exercises that are specifically for your feet which can be of great assistance as well. Your feet do quite a bit of hard work! Walking, standing on hard surfaces, running, squatting, and reaching can all take a toll. Foot and ankle exercises have several benefits:

  • Maintain a good range of motion

  • Increase circulation

  • Prevent podiatric injuries

  • Improve sports performance

Regular simple foot exercises will help your foot get stronger and make it less likely to succumb to overuse injuries, arthritis, hammertoes, and bunions.

Don’t you have a podiatrist currently? Use our online directory to find one in your community. If you are interested in exercises for your feet, you should talk to your podiatrist to find out what’s appropriate for your particular podiatric needs and concerns.

Here’s a couple of basic and simple foot and ankle exercises:

Toe Raises—Standing with your feet slightly apart and using a counter or wall if you need for balance, rise on your tip toes as far as you can without pain. Hold this position for 10 seconds and then release. Start with three sets of 10 raises. It will stretch the calves and strengthen them, which can help prevent Achilles tendon injuries.

Toe Curls—Sit straight up in a chair with a towel under your foot. Try to grab the towel with the toes and pull it towards you. Repeat five times and then switch to the other foot. It builds strength in the toe and flexor muscles of the feet.

The Flamingo—Stand on one leg for 10-20 seconds as you are able. Do this near a wall or with a chair in front of you to grab onto if you feel you are losing your balance. This exercise will help improve balance and leg strength.

If an exercise is uncomfortable or hurts, stop. Consult the foot doctor about what this may mean and for other foot and ankle exercises that may be better suited to you.

For more ways to keep your feet healthy and fit, contact us and subscribe to our free e-newsletter.

Blog, ExerciseNYSPMANY Foot Health, Foot Exercises, Ankle Exercises, Injuries, Fitness, range of motion, circulation, Foot Problems, podiatric needs, toe raises, toe curls