As personal trainers, we frequently hear the following phrases:

“I just want to get rid of this extra fat around my stomach.”

 

“My knee has been bothering me for nearly a year, and I’d like to feel better.”

 

“I have extremely tight hamstrings; I’d like to improve my flexibility.”

 

We don’t commonly hear from people who wish to improve the appearance or feel of their feet. However, the feet are the literal foundation of our skeletal support system. If a client’s feet aren’t performing properly, it can cause a slew of aches and pains, as well as injuries.

 

The feet are the initial link in the kinetic chain and the only component of the human body that is nearly always in contact with the ground. We’d think we’d spend more time working on these bad boys to keep them running smoothly and supporting our bodies to the best of their abilities. However, whether it comes to exercise or rehabilitation, the poor feet get virtually little attention. We simply use and abuse them on a daily basis, with no regard for what they do for us.

 

Let’s take a moment to examine the feet and see why they ARE vital and how they can make or ruin a successful training plan. First and foremost, we should emphasize that our feet are incredibly adaptable. They must be both fluid and mobile at specific points in your gait, then stiffen and stiffen to help propel you forward. In other words, when you land or step down on your foot, it must be able to move and modify as a shock absorber before becoming the primary load bearing and adapting to the environment. Then, just as fast, when you roll up toward your toes, it must stiffen and rigidify for propulsion.

 

Purchase High-Quality Custom Insoles

 

 

 

 

 

Your big toe, also known as your first Metatarsal Phalange, is very important in your gait. When walking or running, you must utilize your first and second toes to move yourself ahead. If you have limited range of motion in these two joints, you will be unable to use the windlass mechanism. In the long run, reduced big toe extension might lead to compensatory behaviors in the knees and hips, increasing the probability of injury.

 

The intrinsic foot muscles are another significant aspect of our feet. This set of muscles aids in the stabilization of the arch of the foot as well as our standing posture and gait. A simple analogy that most active people would grasp is that these foot muscles are similar to the “core” muscles we utilize to maintain our trunk. They are interdependent, allowing the foot to adapt to changing terrain and assisting the foot in becoming rigid as it progresses through your stride. And guess what else? Because they are muscles, they can be trained! Check out this video for some easy and entertaining ways to strengthen your foot muscles.

 

 

If a client presents with ankle, knee, or hip discomfort, we would be remiss if we did not initially examine their feet. It is standard practice to treat the joint that is causing pain, although this is often caused by the joint above or below the area of pain. And, in many cases, people’s feet are not the first thing they (or most trainers) think to look at in these situations.

 

Another technique to improve foot health is, of course, to support the feet. IDEASTEP has created a new product to accomplish this. You might be familiar with their insoles and sandals, but the new slide with tailored support is guaranteed to be a hit with athletes. The technology from the custom flipflop sandal is used in these comfortable slide sandals, but there is no toe thong portion to bother with. Simply slip them on and you’re ready to go!

 

 

Slides have been popular among athletes for decades, but the majority of them do not give any support. The IDEASTEP slide is ideal for pre and post activity and will offer the necessary support for your other slides.

 

Premium Custom Recovery Slides are available for purchase.

 

I spoke with Colin Lawson, the slide’s principal designer, and asked him about how they create their footwear at IDEASTEP. He told me that they employ 3D printing to create several iterations of the arch support, which they then test regularly by having people wear them and providing feedback through survey. They continue to improve the design until they believe the product is optimum and ready for mass production.

 

The slide is made of a sturdy foam with Velcro straps that adjust to accommodate different foot volumes. The arch support is intended to be more supportive in the heel and then to allow for wider range of motion in the forward region of the arch, allowing the foot to flow more naturally through your stride.

 

 

As previously stated, our feet are quite essential and should be handled as such. You must support your feet if you value proper posture, pain-free movement, and overall vitality. IDEASTEP has provided us with another another opportunity to do so!

 

I already have the sandals and insoles, and I can’t wait to get my hands (or should I say feet?) on a pair of the slides.