Hey,

I'm curious if anyone else on here has flat feet. For as long as I can remember I have always walked out-toed. My mom took me to a doctor (This was many many years ago) and he said I had flat feet and should wear arches.

I'm curious if having flat feet will get in the way of exercizing. Every time I go to the store and get a pair of arches they hurt like the dickens... Not because they're hurting my arch, but they rub the skin on my feet raw. However, my feet also hurt without them. They hurt if I walk too much in pretty much every pair of shoes I own. The pain will then spread to the ankles, and then my heels.

I'm wondering if it's time I get to one of those special shoe places and see if I can get a pair of shoes specially fitted to my foot. I can't afford that now, but I probably will be able to in a couple of months.

If you have flatfeet, how has it affected your exercizing? What did you do about them? Should I continue to wear the arches even if they rub me raw? Will I ever get to wish my flat feet good riddence if I continue to wear arches, or get a special-made shoe?

Thank you for reading!

-N

I have very low arches - and the best thing I ever did...

and I've said this countless times on this forum when people mention foot issues..

Go to a running store... NOT a self service box store, but an actual running store with employees who are trained to see the wear pattern on your existing sneakers and watch how you walk and fit you PROPERLY for a good pair of shoes... You will honestly not pay all that more for the sneakers - you might not get the prettiest sneaker i the store (becasue they are not appropriate for your foot) but you will end up that shoes that fit your feet and your body.

Thank you Maleficent!

Not only have you answered this question, but just about every single one I've posted in the past few days. lol

A running store, eh? Are there any that I would know by name, or a chain? I know there are a few foot/shoe stores around, but I don't know if they are what I'm looking for. Or could I just google 'Running store' and 'Nashville' and see what pops up... I think I'll do that.

Thanks again,

-N-

Google would help because I'm not sure of any national chains really...

My left foot is completely flat, with a pronating ankle, and my right foot is almost flat.

Supports have always been a double edged sword for me. I had special inserts made for my feet, and after getting used to them, they were GREAT for running, or anything where you try to be light on your feet. However, plyometrics and anything that used heavy or stomping motions KILLED my feet with 'em in.

Now, I wear generic, soft inserts, and advil up before I exercise. While it isn't nearly as comfortable during runs or walks, I still get some support, and I can do higher impact activities without bruising my entire instep.

Having flat feet isn't the most fun thing in the world, but don't let it stop you from doing what you want.

Thanks James!

The ones that ripped up my feet were the soft ones. They were Dr Scholls I think. I can't wait to get back home and get my feet taken care of!

-N-

I have flat feet as well. I wore arches that were specially made to fit my foot when I was in highschool but I always kind of felt like it was too "crowded" in my shoe with my foot, sock and arch support, so a couple of years ago I quit wearing them all together. In highschool I had foot surgery to correct my toes as well but, that is a whole other story. Nowadays my feet don't bother me too bad, the occassional blister or two because I do run for most of my cardio. Feet are feet but I have to live with the ones god gave me. I wish they looked a little better but they do the job I guess...

I did buy some Asics running shoes that were made especially for flat feet. I don't know if they would be right for you or not, so going to talk to someone at a running store and getting your feet measured, etc. might be a good idea, like Mal mentioned. Def. google running stores in your area, I know of a couple in mine (like that helps, I know...) I just want to add that shoes are really important, so if you have to look a little harder for a certain pair, or spend a little extra $$$ I think it's worth it, jmo.

-Sam

I paid hundreds of dollars for custom made orthotics (inserts), hundreds more for special German made sandals with removable inserts so that my custom ones can fit in them (I wear them indoors all the time), and also went to a proper shoe store and spent - you guessed it - almost $200 more on runners recommended by my foot specialist. These offer the right support and also allow my orthotics to fit.

After all this, as well as daily stretching, MY #$@! foot STILL HURTS!! And that is what it is like when you have flat feet and plantar fasciitis. The sooner you get proper footwear, the better. My last resort is another cortisone injection in the bottom of my heel, which hurts like the devil. I am not desperate enough for that yet, but may get there soon...

HTH,
ABBA

I have had the same problem with my feet since I was little. I wear custom orthotics, but my feet have ALWAYS hurt when walking any kind of distance, or even standing for long periods of time. My current orthotics are very worn and need to be replaced, but I'm wondering if its even worth it to replace them. ($250+ a pair last time).

I live way out of the way, so I may have problems finding a dedicated running store. Do they provide shoes that I wouldn't have to wear orthotics? My feet are done long before I am too tired from cardio, so they are literally holding me back.

Sorry for the hijack, but I'm so glad I'm not the only one with flat feet, and having problems exercising because of it.

Rob D

I have very low arches too. My feet are not completely flat but they may as well be! I found that it isnt so much my feet that hurt, but the pain in my shins when i run or do high intensity aerobics is awful! I have never had any type of custom made insole and i doubt i will as they seem very uncomfortable and expensive...i seem to have trained myself to take the pain of footwear cos i LOVE shoes and they are designed for arched feet!

I tend to exercise through the pain and then suffer the consequences....prob not the best way to go about it but if i didnt i wouldnt exercise!