Prevent foot fatigue with these 5 stretches

If a pink sky in the morning is a sailor’s warning, then tired feet are a tradie’s tip-off.

Tired feet are uncomfortable, unproductive and unsafe. Thankfully, Steel Blue designs the most comfortable work boots for tradespeople who spend hours on their feet.

Steel Blue work boots are engineered for whole-body health. They are designed to fit your feet and built with premium materials, providing better support and a more comfortable fit.

Easy stretches for tradies with tired feet

Studies show that foot fatigue caused by long days on the tools can be a warning sign of lower back and leg problems. Fatigue could also be a sign that you’re working with plantar fasciitis, pronation, flat feet, or musculoskeletal issues from an old injury.

The right lightweight work boots, together with these stretches for tired feet, will keep a spring in your step so you can do your best work day after day.

1.    Calf stretch

Good for: Tightness in the calf that can lead to Achilles tendonitis and plantar fasciitis.

• Stand behind a chair
• Place your hands on the chair
• Step one foot back, keeping it flat on the floor
• Bend your front knee and press the back heel into the ground until you feel a stretch in the calf
• Hold for 20 to 30 seconds
• Repeat on the other side

You can also try bending the back knee to stretch your lower calf muscles.

2.    Toe stretch

Good for: Toe cramps and tightness in the bottom of your foot.

• Sit on a chair
• Place your foot on an exercise band or towel
• Using the exercise band or towel, gently pull your toes up towards your shin
• Hold for 20 to 30 seconds
• Repeat with the other foot

You should feel a gentle stretch toward your toes at the bottom of your foot.

3.    Plantar fascia stretch

Good for: Avoiding plantar fasciitis, which causes severe heel pain.

• Stand behind a step
• Place your toes on the edge of the step
• Keeping your heel on the ground, gently push your foot down towards the floor
• You should feel a stretch in the bottom of your foot. Hold for 20-30 seconds and repeat on the other foot.

You should feel a gentle stretch in the plantar fascia, a thick band of muscle in the bottom of your foot.

4.    Ankle rotation

Good for: Stretching out a long day and reducing the risk of shin splints, Achilles tendonitis, and ankle sprains.

• Sit on a chair
• Extend one leg out in front of you
• Rotate your foot in a circular motion
• Rotate 10 to 15 times clockwise, then reverse to counter-clockwise
• Switch to the other foot

Try to keep your leg steady and avoid overextending, especially if you are stretching on an old injury.

5.    Achilles tendon stretch