Article from MSNBC.com

Your workout did what ? - Smart Fitness - MSNBC.com

Q: My feet go numb below the ankles when doing certain exercises, such as the elliptical trainer, step aerobics and even urban rebounding. How can I make it stop?

A: Are your shoelaces too tight? That's the first thing to check. Restrictive shoes could pinch a nerve, says Matt Werd, a podiatrist in Lakeland, Fla., and president of the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine.

If that's not the culprit, another possible explanation is something called "exercise-induced compartment syndrome," he says. During exercise, muscles may increase in volume and exert pressure on blood vessels and nerves, causing numbness as well as pain, skin-color changes and poor circulation.

If your feet start to fall asleep, switch activities and see if that helps, Werd advises.

"If symptoms persist, follow up with a sports-medicine specialist for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan," he says.

I get that when I'm on the stationary bike, the one that has an actual seat on it with a back - is it a recumbent bike? You probably know what I'm talking about.

Yes, recumbent bike. I've never tried that one. I get it all the time in spin and on the elliptical...