5 Simple Foot Exercises for Transitioning to Barefoot Shoes

Researching barefoot shoes is going to yield some drastically differing viewpoints. Are barefoot shoes the answer to all that ails you? Or are they the devil reincarnate, a surefire way to destroy your foot health?

The truth is, it’s your feet that will save you, not the shoes. Yes I personally am 100% in the camp of “barefoot shoes or no shoes,” but not strengthening your feet when you switch to minimalist shoes is like wearing a cast for years and then not doing physical therapy when you take it off. Barefoot shoes will only benefit you if your feet can do what your old supportive shoes used to, and that requires MUSCLE. So if you are in search of a sustainable path to foot health then you need to be thinking about more than shoes.

In this post we cover 5 simple exercises for strengthening, mobilizing, and preparing your feet to be less reliant on supportive shoes. Whether you are a seasoned barefoot-er, actively transitioning to barefoot shoes, or just wanting to improve your foot health without making any big changes, these exercises are for you.

Short Foot

Short foot is an isometric exercise where you contract the arch of your foot by pressing your toes into the ground. When you do your foot should contract in the center and dome up, revealing an arch. This is a highly effective exercise for stabilizing the foot and is ground zero for function.

You might feel some cramping, and that’s ok! Hold the contraction for a few seconds and then repeat several times or until fatigue. Modify as needed, but with practice this exercise should become easier over time.

You can watch a video demonstration of the Short Foot exercise here.

Toe Spacers

Helping your feet spread out can go a long way to reduce pain and increase stability. Many of us are walking around on effectively bound feet because the muscles are so tightly contracted as to make them immobile – thanks to our tight shoes + weak muscles. Interlacing your fingers between your toes (or trying to! They’ll get there eventually) is the easiest way to increase your foot mobility. Do it while watching TV or during a business meeting (they can’t see under the table…) and hold it for as long as feels comfortable. Aim for at least 30 seconds.

If you’re really wanting a better splay, consider Correct Toes. They are a passive way to spread your toes while you go about your business, and once you have worked your way up to it they can be worn all day in your shoes. Read my review of them here.

Toe-ga

Oh toe-ga, how I love thee! Toe-ga is yoga for your toes, and can be done just about any time. I aim to do these exercises sporadically throughout the day, most days of the week. Eventually it becomes second nature to stretch and move your toes around, and your feet will thank you.

• Lift, spread, and reach your toes
• Raise only your big toe while keeping the others down, and then alternate (big toe down, other toes up)
• Raise each toe individually, then set them back down one at a time
• Add resistance by pressing your big toe into your finger

Don’t be discouraged if your toes don’t move yet. Doing the first exercise (toe spacers) and trying to move your toes is changing your feet, it just might take a little while before you can tell.

Roll Out Your Foot

Rolling out your foot on a ball such as these Yoga Tune Up balls is an excellent way to break up dense tissue and wake up the nerves.

I try to apply as much pressure as I can (some pain is ok, but nothing that shoots or makes you grimace) and hold it until I feel a releasing sensation. You can press and hold on an especially dense area, and you can roll forward and back, and side to side. If your feet are very tight and painful that might be only a little pressure and it can be a while before you notice a change. Better to go light and often than hard and infrequently.

Besides rolling the foot out on a ball, you can also try stepping on virtually anything that is textured and bumpy. This can ease tension, work muscles that don’t get used often, and desensitize the bottoms of your feet. I have this Rox mat in front of my bathroom sink that I step on daily, and I also stand on this Naboso Mat while I work. In warmer weather I walk barefoot outside every day and that alone has improved my feet a lot.

Balance

Yes, balancing is a foot exercise! I LOVE single leg balance work for bringing it all together, because your feet are connected to your core after all. I am very passionate about balance because I believe it has a huge impact on quality of life, especially as we age. A fall can be deadly, so I’d like to prepare my body today by honing my balance skills as much as possible. Here are a few things to keep in mind while balancing

• Keep your weight centered (don’t float forward)
• Keep your entire foot planted (your toes shouldn’t be popping up)
• Practice often

And here are a few ways to take your single leg balance to the next level

• Pass a kettlebell back and forth between your hands
• Lean forward and try to touch the floor (deadlift)
• Spread out like a star
• Walk on a balance beam
• Stand on a balance board
• Use a Mobo Board
• Add calf raises – calf strength is super important!

Extra Credit: Squat, Stand, or Sit on the Floor

The truth is, how we sit, stand, and squat (or not squat) all affects our foot function. If you sit the majority of your day in one position it will inhibit your movement, so try to add a variety of poses to your life. Stand often, sit on the floor instead of in a chair, and squat regularly to keep all your parts limber!

For even further learning, check out this great free foot strengthening course from The Toe Spacer.

Conclusion

If a part of your body is weak, you can strengthen it. Feet are just as adaptable to exercise as any other part of your body, and you CAN change them. So add a few foot exercises into your life and see what a strong foundation can do for you. If you add in barefoot shoes too you are well on your way to happy feet!

Like Video? Watch me do the exercises here.