Numb Foot

[bsmothers]

I started rowing again after more years than I want to share. My left foot goes numb after around 15 minutes (but not the right). I thought it was my shoe being to tight. Loosened it but still the same problem. The foot strap is very loose also. This is very annoying. I am up to 7500 mtrs now and want to extend my distance as my training progresses. I was up to around 45 mins when I was rowing before and remember how uncomfortable it was rowing with a numb foot for 30 mins. Has anyone encountered this problem or have a suggestion on how to make it go away? Thanks. Brian

[bloomp]

I've had the problem, but it's simply that my shoe has been laced too tight and pinches the blood vessels on the top of my foot. Try rowing without shoes on, with socks. It'll feel weird at first but your problem should be fixed. Try to get up to your usual distances like that, then put the shoes back on.

[bsmothers]

I will give that a try and see how it works. Thanks for your reply.

[jrhahn]

I had a friend at my club whose feet used to go numb on long peices. My coach suggested that she make sure she was pushing her heals down on the drive, and not pushing off with her toes. This helped and she had much less numbness. She also rowed sometimes without shoes, just socks, which helped as well.

[Carl Watts]

Yes the problem is most likely the shoe laces. They actually need to be quite loose. If you have the correct technique you don't actually need the straps at all but they obviously help on the recovery and any speed work.

[bsmothers]

I quit using the strap on my left foot and loosened my shoe strings as far as I could. This seems to have done the trick. I just tighten down the right strap and away I go. Thanks for all your suggestions. Brian