Exercising for Those who Work on Their Feet

Many people work long, long hours on their feet.  Knowing the importance of regular exercise, they want to do something when they get home.  Since walking and running are two of the most convenient ways to exercise, that is usually what they do. Not surprisingly, their feet and legs tend to hurt before they even begin, as well as after.  Complaints of sore heels, ball of the foot and “it just hurts all over” abound.

What started out sounding like a good idea – working 4 longer days or 3 very long days in order to get 3 days off – has come back to bite.  Our feet simply were not made to be standing or walking on our feet on flat hard surfaces that many hours and days in a row. Smart shoes and arch supports make it more feasible for many but adding exercise on the feet after work is really too much for most.

How do you exercise regularly if you also work long hours on your feet?  Simple.  For aerobic exercise, a stationary bicycle, regular bicycle, swimming and elliptical machines will do the same as running or walking without the effects of gravity and continued pounding of the feet.    Although a treadmill is a little softer than concrete or black top, it is not really reducing the effects of gravity so it is best left for those who do not work long hours on their feet.

Pilates, yoga, and weight machines are done with a combination of sitting, lying on the back or stomach and some standing.  Done regularly they are excellent for conditioning, flexibility and core strength.  Those on their feet in their work are usually getting adequate “mileage” and some get pretty good aerobics exercise while working.  If that applies to you, sticking to these forms of non-impact or low impact exercise will serve you better and your feet will get a rest.  If, however, you stand for long hours but don’t walk much while working, the non-gravity aerobics above are necessary if you want to get that part of your exercise program handled.

There are other forms of exercise that we have not mentioned and that does not mean they aren’t as good; we’ve just kept to some pretty obvious ways to do it.  The goal is to exercise and relieve stress while giving the legs and feet a rest.  For those of us who work on our feet only intermittently, impact exercising or weight bearing exercising is a good change of activity.  For those working on your feet more than 4 hours a day, consider getting off your feet to exercise!

 

Images: Answers.com, Wolfefitness.com, Googleproductscatalog.com, The-exercise-bike.com