25/05/2026
😳 Smashing a 100lb dumbbell into your toes won't strengthen them. It'll fracture them. 🦶 As a podiatrist — here are 4 exercises that actually work, backed by research:
1️⃣ TOE SALUTATIONS Lift big toe, keep toes 2–5 down. Swap. Trains isolated neuromuscular control of the intrinsic foot muscles — the ones that actually hold your arch during running. → Gooding et al. (J Athletic Training, 2016)
2️⃣ TOE SPLAYING Spread all toes wide, hold 5 seconds. MRI study confirmed this activates ALL 8 intrinsic muscle groups by up to 35% — highest of any single foot exercise tested. → Gooding et al. (J Athletic Training, 2016)
3️⃣ CALF RAISES Simple. Proven. Essential. 2023 Delphi consensus of foot specialists ranked this the #1 recommended exercise for foot and ankle strength. → J Foot & Ankle Research (Oct 2023)
4️⃣ RATHLEFF RAISES Single-leg calf raise + towel under toes. 3s up / 2s hold / 3s down. Every 2nd day. Activates the windlass mechanism, loading the plantar fascia like a tendon. RCT showed superior outcomes vs stretching at 3 months for plantar fasciitis. → Rathleff et al. (Scand J Med Sci Sports, 2015)
Save this. Your feet carry you every day. Train them properly. 🙏