The human foot is built from 26 bones. These bones connect at 30 different joints. And the foot moves at the command of over 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
The foot is certainly an intricate design. However, with all those moving parts, foot health is something worth considering.
Your feet carry you everywhere. It’s important to keep them strong and healthy.
Like any muscles in the body, your feet deserve some attention. Although you may not have considered it before, there are workouts specifically for your feet.
Keep reading to discover 5 helpful foot strengthening exercises.
1) The Achilles Strech
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The Achilles is the strongest tendon in the human body. The Achilles allows you to push while walking and running. Stretching this area can limber up your leg and avoid pain.
To perform the stretch, put your hands on a wall. Stagger your legs so one knee is bent and the other is straight. Place both feet are flat on the floor.
Slowly lean your body weight forward. As you do so, you will start to feel a stretch in your Achilles. Bend until you feel comfortable pressure.
Hold the stretch for 30 seconds then switch feet.
2) Towel Stretching
This is one of the easiest foot exercises. Many athletes like to employ the towel stretch after a jog when the feet start to cramp up.
To perform the towel stretch, sit on the floor with your legs stretched out in front of you.
Place a towel over the back of your foot. Gently pull back the ends of the towel towards your body.
Hold this pressure for 30-45 seconds. Repeat this process on the other foot.
3) Tennis Ball Massage
Not only will your feet get bigger as you age, but they may also develop soreness. The tennis ball massage is an excellent technique to improve foot health. If you have plantar fasciitis or other foot pain issues, this will help.
Begin by sitting in a chair. Place a tennis ball under one of your feet and roll the ball back and forth.
The ball will massage the arch of your foot. Add resistance to the ball to increase the pressure of the massage.
A one-minute massage on each foot should provide relief.
4) Toe Grip
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This exercise is designed to strengthen the tops of your feet. Using the same towel from before, you can practice the toe grip.
Lay the towels on the floor in front of you. Sit in a chair and place your foot on the towel.
Keeping your feet flat and using only your toes, grip the towel. One grip at a time, continue scrunching the fabric.
Do so until you reach the end of the towel.
5) Toe Stretch
Also known as the toe splay, this stretch will develop dexterity and lead to stronger feet.
All you have to do is spread your toes. Hold this position for 5-10 seconds. It may be difficult at first, but practice will improve the technique.
Practice These Foot Strengthening Exercises
Considering how much you rely on your feet, it’s important to take care of them. These foot strengthening exercises will improve all those moving parts.
If you found this article useful, stick around the blog for more healthy ideas.
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