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Tricks for a more comfortable stride

February 26, 2013

Whichever piece of home gym equipment you choose to break a sweat on, you're heavily relying on your feet to get you through that workout. But if you're an avid runner or simply have problems with aches and pains in your feet, working out may prove to be a bit more difficult. According to Runner's World, our feet absorb more force during running than any other part of the body. However, by caring for those running feet in the right way, you can reduce soreness and even prevent injury, prompting more effective workouts in the future. Here are a few tricks to try for healthier feet:

Choose the right equipment
Running on home treadmills is an extremely effective way to get in shape fast. However, if you're experiencing an uncomfortable stride, you may want to consider switching over to TRUE's PS800 Treadmill. This stylish piece of equipment has an orthopedic belt which offers the ultimate reduction of impact on the joints and knees. You'll instantly notice more comfort with each step you take.

Try an elliptical
If the impact of treadmill strides are too much for your feet to handle, try running on an elliptical machine instead. The gentle and swift movement of TRUE's ellipticals give your joints the comfort they desire accompanied by an effective workout. The M50 Elliptical even has soft step orthopedic footpads, which work to decrease the stress of impact on your joints, making your workout more comfortable than ever.

Grab a tennis ball
Tennis balls provide runners with a great way to massage the foot and help get you prepared for more workouts with less aches and pains. According to ESPN, you should sit or stand and place the ball under the arch of your foot. By rolling it along the bottom of the foot, you'll be massaging out any sore areas.

Find the right fit
It may be your running shoe that is contributing to the health of your feet. Bad shoe selection can cause anything from calluses to blisters, according to Rick Braver, a podiatrist who treats many runners. Check out your nearest running specialty store and shop around for the shoe that best fits your foot. You may want to ask whoever works there to size you, as you may be choosing the wrong size shoe.

If you already have comfortable shoes, you'll want to take a look at the age of your footwear. If they're a bit worn out, you probably don't want to continue using them for your workouts. According to Runner's world, the average life of most running shoes is 350-500 miles.