What It Means When Your Feet Go Numb During A Workout

Amazing things happen in your body when you exercise. As you get warmed up, your heart begins to beat faster, which contributes to increased blood flow. During a workout, your capillaries widen, allowing blood to circulate up to 20 times faster than normal, according to Science Focus. As blood rushes into your muscles, your body begins to convert glucose into energy, and this requires oxygen. Your organs can only handle so much oxygen, and when exercise drains it from them, they begin to release lactic acid. 

Your feet and hands are furthest from your heart, meaning they react first to a lack of oxygen, which can result in a tingling sensation (per Livestrong). The tingling sensation or numbness generally comes down to an issue with circulation. Working out in cold weather, vitamin deficiencies, and smoking can all lead to poor blood flow (via Livestrong). How can you narrow down the culprit and prevent it from happening?

Another reason your feet might go numb while you are working out might have to do with your shoes. According to Verywell Fit, if your shoes are too tight, they can put pressure on the nerves in your feet. Before you head out to buy a new pair of shoes, try tying your laces a little looser. If you're in the market for new shoes, opt for ones that are a half size bigger than the shoes you regularly wear — anytime you work out, your feet swell. The extra space in a larger pair of shoes will make room for that, as well as the thicker socks you wear in the winter.

Some medical conditions can contribute to your feet tingling while you work out. If you have Raynaud's phenomenon, any kind of nerve injury, multiple sclerosis, or neuropathy from diabetes, you can feel it in your feet (via Livestrong). If you're concerned about your feet going numb during a workout, it's never a bad idea to discuss the matter with your doctor.