During exercises, especially on a cardio workout, your feet are your best friends. Sadly, feet are also easily taken for granted. Moreover, it is inevitable that as we exercise, some foot problems may suddenly occur, and it could compromise your fitness goals. Foot injuries, blisters, corns, or calluses are only some of the few things that could hinder your exercise. So, if you are into an exercise program or just like to be fit, it is essential to give your feet the proper attention and needs it deserves.
With that, to help you have your best foot forward, below is the list of things you should do to take care of your feet.
Choose Your Footwear Wisely
The feet are the foundation of our body. So, strong feet could also mean a strong body. Part of taking care of your feet is to wear the right shoes fit for your workout. As we choose footwear, it is essential to look for shoes that have a flexible toe bed, padded insoles, and a firm heel counter. This is to prevent foot problems like arch spasms, tendonitis, hematoma, or bleeding under the nail. Also, it is crucial that the shoes must offer breathing space for your feet.
Wear the Right Socks!
Much like in choosing the shoes for your feet, the right socks also matter. Socks provide a cushion for your feet. Also, they prevent the friction between the feet and the shoes that could eventually lead to an injury or irritation. Socks that have rough textures or are too thick, or too loose, or too tight could create a lot more issues or foot problems. So, one must look for socks that are made out of microfiber fabrics.
Additionally, you could also purchase a sock that has a cushion on the sole to provide more comfort to the feet. Wearing a white sock is also advised since you can immediately see if there is a problem with your feet. Any stains on white socks like blood or yellow fluid stain could easily be seen if one is wearing a white sock.
Don’t Work Too Hard
One of the biggest and common mistakes one makes is to exercise too hard. For example, those who try and walk for about a mile when they haven’t done that ever would likely have blisters, ingrown toenails, or corns. Aside from being the foundation of the body, your feet are also the barometer of your whole body. If your feet began to act up after a heavy exercise or cardio, you are most likely putting too much stress on your lungs, hearts, bones, and muscles, too. The key to avoiding such problems is to gradually increase your activity in order to allow your feet to get used to the action first.
Keep Your Feet Clean and Dry
Aside from keeping your feet from injuries, you might also want to protect your feet from viruses and fungus that could lead to an athlete’s foot. The technique is to wash your feet after a workout and dry it thoroughly with a clean towel. In addition to that, one can also use foot powders. Afterward, always check your feet for blisters, cuts, or bruises. Also, keep your toenails cut. If your feet sweat too much, you may opt to wear socks that wick moisture.
Don’t Ignore Pains or Aches
If you are new to working out and hurt your feet, or if your feet hurt after wearing the wrong shoes, don’t ignore the pain. Since cardio workouts involve impact and pounding on the feet, your feet may naturally feel aches or pains that will eventually lead to severe issues if not properly addressed. So, if one started to feel pain during the cardio or exercise, stop the workout. You may actually be thinking that this is making your feet strong, but in actuality, you are doing yourself a disservice.
Rest Your Feet Between Exercises
While stretching before exercising is important, it is also essential to take breaks in between workouts. According to experts, resting in between exercises will also prevent your feet from excessive impact forces. One should also know the limits of their feet. If the feet hurt, try to pull back a bit or do some modification on the workout.