Tingling toes?
After an exercise routine, one expects to be out of breath, fatigued, sweaty, etc. However, when you experience something odd - like numb hands after lifting weights or a tingling sensation in your fingers/toes during your cardio session - it might make you feel disturbed.
Foot and hand tingling and numbness during workouts is quite common and most people experience it at some time of the other, so it may not be something to worry about. But if it persists or crops up after your workout session is over and done, it could be indicative of something more concerning, depending on the frequency and severity of what you are experiencing.
Tingling or numbness in the hands is usually a sign that blood flow to the nerves is being blocked, not due to overworking your muscles. The countless nerves that run throughout our bodies are super sensitive, and even a slight change in blood supply to those nerves can affect what we feel, resulting in numbness and tingling - it’s called paresthesia.
The most common cause for changes in blood supply to nerves in a healthy person is positional. It’s the same reason your arm may get numb if you fall asleep on it - that position blocks blood supply to the nerves.
Positioning issues are especially common during cardio. When you’re running, using the elliptical, or even vigorously walking, your arm is often bent at the elbow, forcing the ulnar nerve (funny bone) to stretch across the bone in your elbow, cutting off its blood supply. This causes, tingling in the last two fingers.
Clenching or pumping your arms too aggressively mid-workout can also cause numbness.. You can also experience positional issues when strength training, especially lifting.
While running, the inadvertent clenching that people tend to do can also cause tingling sensations. One should relax the grip and imagine lightly holding something between your thumb and pointer finger to prevent pumping your arms vigorously.
Also, while lifting weights, make sure you’re not squeezing them tightly. Select appropriate weights and perform in front of a mirror to ensure proper form.
After each routine, simply shaking your arms and hands out can help get the blood flowing properly again. Do similar regarding your lower half, too. Regularly moving your feet can help reduce these sensations.