Yes, Your Toes Need a Workout, Too

When we talk about fall risk prevention, building balance, knee pain, back pain, or posture, perhaps the most forgotten aspect is the most basic. Our feet, or more specifically, our toes. Those tiny muscles in our feet are just as important as all the bigger muscles in our body when it comes to finding our balance, fixing our gait, or correcting our posture. So, to improve our overall health and achieve our fitness goals safely and efficiently, let’s look at a few basic exercises for our toes.

1: Big toe raises

Stand barefoot with both feet on a flat, solid floor. One foot at a time, try lifting only the big toe off the floor, trying to lift it as high as you can without any other toes moving.

2: Piano toes

One foot at a time again, lift all ten toes off the floor. Then, starting with the big toe, put each toe back on the floor one at a time (waaaaaaay harder than it sounds). Repeat by starting with the pinky toe and ending with the big toe.

3: Toe grabs

Get a towel, your sock, or that laundry that you still haven’t put away. While standing, try picking it up off the floor just using your toes and dropping it.

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Exercises for feet are always best performed barefoot so you (or your personal trainer) can assess your movement better and allow your feet freer movement as well. So “let the dogs out,” as the kids say these days.

Wondering about other ways to reduce fall risk as you age, how to stay strong and active, or ways to reduce joint pain? Give Live Fit a call! We’re always here in our private studio gym in Westlake to help you achieve your fitness goals and help you build a healthier life!