Cathe! Workouts for the flat footed!!

[smurfette]

Cathe, do you get a lot of complaints from people suffering from flat feet?

My arches started yelling at me last week so I got online to find out what is going on.

I'm icing my arches and I took a break from the high impact to give my feet a break. I"m trying to stretch my calves several times a day.

I tried taping up my arches for doing Leaner Legs this morning but even with that and my orthotics, I had to quit early.

I'm certainly going to see my podiatrist and see what is going on.

In the meantime it seems impossible to work my calves, enjoy high impact, or do lunges without causing damage.

Do you have suggestions for modifications? How can I have effective workouts without using my feet! Ha ha! Nothing like asking the impossible!! :O)

Danna

 

[cheekster]

Hey Danna,

Not Cathe, but I too have very flat feet, and while I certainly don't have all the answers (I'd love to hear from other readers or Cathe) I have found a few things that help my arch pain.

Number one is definitely finding good shoes. Unfortunately, I haven't found an "aerobics" or "crosstraining" shoe with adequate medial support, but it may be out there. F.Y.I., if you're into running, there are tons of good "motion control" shoes to choose from, but they're unsafe to step with because of their lateral instability. If anyone knows of good step shoes for the flat-footed, please post!!

Good socks really help my feet. I really like the Wrightsocks brand with a double layer. They help prevent those horrible insole blisters that inevitably creep up during a long workout.

I wish I had better advice for you, but I basically have the same issues. Let us know if your podiatrist has any good tips!
-Kate

 

[smurfette]

I talked to my sister who was a ballet dancer and she thinks that I may have tendonitis in my foot. She is suggesting some exercises to build up my foot endurance.

I'm hoping to get this under control.

I'm thinking that I need to find a half-high top like the ryka's. That should help with some stability.

Glad to know I'm not alone!!

Danna

 

[Eibhlin]

Hi,
I'm a Cathe video user, new to this forum . I wanted to check out whether anyone else suffers from foot problems and I didn't have to search for long.
I'm stil learning how to cope with the 'fallen arches/plantar fasciitis' problem and continue exercising.
I do plenty of stretching, and have kept the step to very low impact (no jumping at all). I try to compensate by using big sweeping movements with arms and body generally. I'm hoping to gradually increase impact while I strengthen my feet with calf stretches and foot exercises.
I try to alternate now between doing cardio on bikes/elliptical machines as well as the step. Luckily I'm not having problems doing weights.
I suppose on a positive note our problem forces us to use a variety of means to work out instead of just the step (my favourite). I hope we can exchange any new found tips on this problem.

Best
Eibh (Ev)