Inform Pilates | Class Supplies

Foot Health & Function

Our feet are one of the most under-utilized parts of the human body.

A lot of the time they get forgotten about. Even in active people who are working our regularly in Pilates or movement classes or at the gym and are already whole-body focussed.

You are working to build your core strength, arm & shoulder strength & stability, glutes and hamstring strength and function, traps and back strength. But are you missing an important piece of the puzzle?

There are 4 layers of muscle in each of your feet. And with 33 joints in each foot, those muscles are there to make sure those joints get movement.

It's important to do regular exercises for your feet to train the intrinsic and extrinsic muscles (those that start and end in the foot, and those that go further up the lower leg). And I would also suggest adding weights/load to target the tendon and ligament health too.

I make lots of content on my instagram page with helpful exercises for your feet. You can scroll through and find lots there to support your foot health.

There are also lifestyle choices you can make to help your foot muscles, joints, ligaments and tendons get strong, function well and allow your feet to get greater freedom and most importantly get pain free, or get access to easing pain when it occurs.

Here's a list of my favourite products and recommended products for everyday foot function.

Please note some of these are affiliate links and I will earn commission from them. But I only ever recommend products I already or would use personally myself.

TOE SEPARATORS

I get a lot of questions about these so I've created a free download for you

MASSAGE BALLS

One of the things our foot muscles and fascia need is release from tension.

Aneasy way to do this is to have a massage ball handy in the kitchen, under your desk or in the bathroom to help work away at stiff tired muscles regularly.

Here are my favourites!

For their grippy, squishy feel. These are great for the feet and the whole body.
Art of Motion Spikey Massage Balls - Anatomy Trains UK

The texture of the Naboso ball (and all their products) is unmatched for feel, but it also has the benefit of aiding micro circulation in the feet. This 3-in-1 ball, domes and trigger ball is one of my daily musts for easing my feet. Code INFORM for 10% discount.
Naboso Neuroball - Naboso Technology

FOOT FUNCTION-FRIENDLY SHOES

I believe in and advocate for shoes that respect the engineering and capability of your incredible feet.

There are 5 things that make for a functionally optimal shoe for the human foot to perform optimally.

For varying reasons you may not be able to have all 5, so I'l give them in order of importance.

1. Space for toes to splay aka Wide To Box

2. Toes and Heels on the same level aka Zero Drop

3. Flexible Sole - able to be twisted and rolled up

4. Fixed to Feet - this is actually joint first with space for toes

5. Thin Sole - allowing the foot to move as it was made, allowing the sensory receptors in the feet to be active but still protect the foot from the ground aka Ground Feel

Shoes that display these properties are called barefoot shoes, minimal shoes or functional footwear.

If a she has all the properties but more cushioning of the sole, it's still a barefoot shoe and makes for a great transitioning shoe for those new to barefoot shoes.

New to Barefoot/Minimal Shoes?

Try these:

Bahè Revive - Has more cushioning at the sole.

Bonus - it's a grounding shoe. They also now sell grounding socks.

Foot Health & Function

Free Toe Separator Guide