Blog
Why do my feet cramp during Pilates?
Hi Beauties,
I wanted to answer a question I receive quite often and hope that it helps those of you who struggle with your feet cramping during Pilates and other exercises.
Foot cramps are fairly common when starting a regular Pilates practice, but they can be quite annoying and disruptive when you’re trying to keep up with the movements in a workout. The truth is, there isn’t much conclusive research as to why feet cramp. However, there are a few things that I’ve found to help prevent and relieve foot cramps during Pilates.
1. Warm up your feet: not with socks, but with movement. 🙂 Prior to starting a workout spend some time pointing and flexing your feet/ankles. If possible, massage the underside of your foot with a tennis ball. This YouTube video would also be a great way to warm up.
2. Relax your feet: It’s okay to relax your feet. Excessive pointing or curling your toes can lead to cramping. Try lengthening your toes, relaxing your feet, or even flexing your feet if needed.
3. Drink plenty of water: Slight dehydration can disrupt your electrolyte balance, which can lead to cramps.
4. Increase potassium intake: Adding potassium-rich foods to your diet (such as: white beans, potatoes, sweet potatoes, beets, spinach, oranges, and bananas) can help to prevent cramping during your next workout.
I hope this helps! Have any other questions? Let me know in the comments below!
xo,
PS – Do your hip flexors sometimes hurt during Pilates? Check out this blog post for my answer to this very common question.
share this post
Helping You Break Free!
Get your weekly delivery of inspiration—Pilates, nourishment,
& mindfulness—changing your relationship with food and your body.
9 thoughts on “Why do my feet cramp during Pilates?”
Loved reading your article, Robin! Thanks for addressing a problem that most beginners face. This workout technique emphasizes body balance and helps you develop core strength. I would like to add that it is necessary to warm up your muscles before starting your Pilates workout, since cold muscles are more prone to injury.
I don’t know if it is really preferred, but I have problem feet (bunions and plantar fascitis) — they are perfect because they run, they walk, they skip, they jump — basically do everything I ask of them. However, I’ve found that wearing fitkicks has alleivated the cramping in my feet. It seems to give them enough support and once I am more comfortable with the moves (just a newbie here — three weeks in) — I will try to strengthen my feet more and leave the fit kicks off. These also help me because I get no movement on the mat from my feet when wearing them — rubber bottoms seem to help.
I have the similar problem! Will try to do the same!
I have had multiple foot surgeries, and deal with stiffness and cramping often. Thank you for these stretches and strengthening exercises for feet and ankles!
So glad these stretches/exercises are helpful for you, Amy ?❤️
This is an issue I face often and have to tried to overcome it by doing things a little differently each time. I warm up and drink plenty of water these days and stop the move completely when find a cramp coming on. I try to loosen the particular muscle and start again. It helps or if it happens again, give up that part of exercise and move the next one.
Great job listening to your body, Anita! You’re doing all the right things and we’re cheering you on!
When I get toe cramps at night, I go to the fridge and grab my kalamata olives, put some in a small dish, drizzle with olive oil, and put them in the microwave for 10 seconds. Then I consume them and drink the rest of the olive oil. After my little snack, I am no longer bothered by the toes. I’ve heard that sour foods like mustard and vinegar (probably sauerkraut would work too), and the mustard packs that runners keep on hand are all helpful.
Thanks for sharing you tips, Marilyn!?