About Foot Strength

Build a Foundation of Strength: Understanding Your Foot Core

Welcome to StrongerFeet.com. While many of us focus on strengthening our legs and core muscles through running, lifting, and aerobics, we often overlook the foundation of our movement: the foot.

The Hidden Power of Intrinsic Muscles

The human foot is an architectural marvel containing distinct groups of muscles. While “extrinsic” muscles begin in the lower leg and power large movements, the foot also contains intrinsic muscles—small but vital muscles that begin and end wholly within the foot itself.

Think of these intrinsic muscles as your foot core. Just as your abdominal core stabilizes your spine, your foot core stabilizes your arch and absorbs impact with every step you take.

The “Shoe Problem”

In our modern world, the small intrinsic muscles of the foot are often splinted by supportive shoes. Because rigid footwear does the work of stabilizing the foot for us, these muscles can become dormant and weaker than they should be. This weakness in the foot muscles can be a cause of foot pain and may lead to other biomechanical foot problems.

A Simple Path to Strength

The good news is that these muscles are highly responsive to training. Current research has shown that an activity as simple as walking without shoes (or in minimalist footwear) for a period of time can significantly improve the size and strength of foot muscles. Since most people spend their days in restrictive footwear, there is a tremendous opportunity for improvement.

Our Mission

StrongerFeet.com is dedicated to bridging the gap between clinical science and daily application. We follow the latest peer-reviewed research on biomechanics and podiatry, translating complex data into actionable advice. Here, you will find up-to-date studies, practical strengthening protocols, and tools to help you build a healthier, more resilient foot.

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Clinical Background

StrongerFeet.com is an educational initiative provided by SuffernPodiatry.com. The founder, Dr. Howard E. Friedman, is a podiatrist specializing in conservative care, focusing on educating patients about long-term foot health through strengthening.

While Dr. Friedman prescribes custom orthotics and often recommends pre-fabricated options, he evaluates every patient individually. Many patients benefit significantly from foot strengthening exercises, which can sometimes reduce—or even eliminate—the need for supportive orthotics over time.

To assist in these clinical decisions, Dr. Friedman incorporates advanced gait analysis using RunScribe inertial measurement units, augmented by proprietary AI analysis.

Suffern Podiatry is part of Rockland Endocrine and Diabetes Services.
156 Route 59, Suite C-2, Suffern, NY 10901.