Regularly exercising and stretching the feet and ankles can help to ensure that muscles are providing the best support. These exercises may also increase the range of motion in the feet, keeping a person active for as long as possible.
Most foot exercises are simple and require no complicated equipment. They can be done at home or in the gym as part of a regular exercise routine.
Exercises for flexibility and mobility
The following exercises have been developed to improve flexibility and mobility in the feet.
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Toe raise, point, and curl
This exercise has three stages and will help to strengthen all parts of the feet and toes.
- Sit up straight in a chair, with the feet flat on the floor.
- Keeping the toes on the floor, raise the heels. Stop when only the balls of the feet remain on the ground.
- Hold this position for 5 seconds before lowering the heels.
- For the second stage, raise the heel and point the toes so that only the tips of the big and second toes are touching the floor.
- Hold for 5 seconds before lowering.
- For the third stage, raise the heel and curl the toes inward, so that only the tips of the toes are touching the floor. Hold this position for 5 seconds.
- Build flexibility and mobility by repeating each stage 10 times.
2. Big toe stretch
The following exercise also has three stages, and it was designed to stretch and relieve pain in toes that have been squashed in shoes.
- Sit up straight in a chair, with the feet flat on the floor.
- Bring the left foot to rest on the right thigh.
- Using the fingers, gently stretch the big toe up, down, and to the side.
- Remain in this position for 5 seconds.
- Repeat this 10 times before switching to the other foot.
3. Toe splay
The toe splay helps with control over toe muscles. It helps to improve control over the toe muscles. It can be done on both feet at once, or on alternate feet, depending on comfort.
- Sit in a straight-backed chair with the feet gently resting on the floor.
- Spread the toes apart as far as possible without straining. Hold the position for 5 seconds.
- Repeat this motion 10 times.
- Once some strength has been built up, try looping a rubber band around the toes. This will provide resistance and make the exercise more challenging.
4. Toe curls
Toe curls build up the flexor muscles of the toes and feet, improving overall strength.
- Sit up straight in a chair, with the feet flat on the floor.
- Lay a small towel on the floor in front of oneself, with the short side facing the feet.
- Place the toes of one foot on the short side of the towel. Try to grasp the towel between the toes and pull it toward oneself. Repeat the exercise five times, before switching to the other foot.
- To make this exercise more challenging, weigh down the opposite end of the towel with an object.
5. Marble pickup
The marble pickup was designed to increase strength in the muscles on the underside of the feet and toes.
- Sit up straight in a chair, with the feet flat on the floor.
- Place an empty bowl and a bowl of marbles (20 is good to start with) on the floor in front of the feet.
- Using only the toes of one foot, pick up each marble and place it in the empty bowl.
- Repeat, using the other foot.
6. Sand walking
Walking barefoot on sand is a great way to stretch and strengthen the feet and calves. This is a good exercise in general because sand’s soft texture makes walking more physically demanding.
- Head to a beach, desert, or even a volleyball court.
- Remove shoes and socks.
- Walk for as long as possible. Increase these distances slowly over time, to avoid overexerting muscles in the feet and calves.
7. Toe extension
The toe extension is useful in preventing or treating plantar fasciitis — a condition that causes pain in the heel when walking, as well as difficulty in raising the toes.
- Sit up straight in a chair, with the feet flat on the floor.
- Place the left foot on the right thigh.
- Pull the toes up, toward the ankle. A stretching feeling should be felt along the bottom of the foot and heel cord.
- Hold for 10 seconds.
- Massaging the arch of the foot while stretching will help ease tension and pain.
- Repeat this exercise 10 times on each foot.
8. Golf ball roll
Rolling a golf ball under the feet can help to relieve discomfort in the arches and ease pain associated with plantar fasciitis.
- Sit up straight in a chair, with the feet flat on the floor.
- Place a golf ball — or another hard, small ball — on the floor next to the feet.
- Lay one foot on the ball and move it around, pressing down as hard as is comfortable. The ball should be massaging the bottom of the foot.
- Continue for 2 minutes, then repeat on the other foot
- A frozen bottle of water can be a soothing alternative if no suitable balls are available.
9. Achilles stretch
The Achilles tendon is a cord connecting the heel to the calf muscles. It can strain easily, and keeping it strong may help with foot, ankle, or leg pains.
- Face a wall and raise the arms, so that the palms rest flat against the wall.
- Place one foot back, keeping the knee straight. Then bend the knee of the opposite leg.
- Keep both heels flat on the floor.
- Push the hips forward, until the Achilles tendon and calf muscles can be felt stretching.
- Hold for 30 seconds before switching sides. Repeat three times on each side.
- For a slightly different stretch, bend the back knee and push the hips forward.