Everyone's feet swell during a workout. The brain increases blood flow to all parts of the body in response to the stress of elevated activity. If your feet become numb in your tennis shoes while working out, it usually is a sign of an improperly fitting shoe rather than something serious. However, if changing your footwear does not solve the problem, it may be a more serious health issue.
Adjust Your Shoes
Start with the simplest solution, adjusting your shoes. Make sure your laces are not so tight that they are constricting your feet. To give your foot more room without sacrificing the stability and support of the shoe, tie the lowest and highest laces snugly, while allowing the laces in between to be looser.
Replace Your Shoes
Go to an exercise shoe specialty store. Have the professionals there measure your foot and select a shoe both correctly sized and specific to your exercise of choice. If you mainly run, get running-specific shoes. For tennis, get tennis-specific shoes. These types of shoes are designed to offer the best fit and qualities for specific sports.
Consult a Podiatrist
Numb feet are a symptom of many foot problems that can be solved with an orthotic, a specially designed shoe insole that contours to your foot to provide custom support. Talk to your podiatrist about your numb feet and ask the podiatrist to suggest the right custom orthotic for your specific foot.
Other Possible Causes
Occasionally, cases of numb feet are the sign of more a serious condition. They can be caused by diabetes, as well as a range of other serious issues, including multiple sclerosis, leprosy and kidney disease. If your numb feet do not improve after upgrading your shoes and consulting a podiatrist, or if you have any doubts, immediately consult a physician.
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