What's the fastest way to develop calluses on my feet?

Question

My feet are too soft and they sweat making it hard to pivot on the workout mat. Will having calluses on the bottom of my feet help with this situation? What's the best way to get them?

Answer 1

It is not necessary to have calluses on your feet to do martial arts. Keep working on your pivots. Listen to your instructors when they critique you. My the corrections as they have directed you and you will be fine. Footwork is very important in martial arts. Unfortunately poor footwork is a common thing. Actually poor footwork is common in most all sports or physical activities. When you get your footwork together everything else gets better and more consistent.

Answer 2

Hes right you don't need them, its a ridiculous idea ( i know it wasn't yours).  And don't try to pivot on your heels, thats wrong to, and asking for injury.  The reason your sticking to the mats is because your foot work is wrong.  You need to correct it  and then your feet won't feel like they are sticking, if you say develop calluses (even if it did help which it won't) then your footwork would still be wrong.

To fix this basically you'll just have to throw kicks for another few months and you'll eventually do it right

but to speed the process along make sure your rising slightly on your toes when you begin your kick because you'll pivot easier rather than being on your heel.  Then if it helps, imagine (for a back leg roundhouse) a string tied to your back heel and your front heel.  When your back leg goes up and out to kick, imagine it pulling your grounded heel up and forward to its final position.

I hope that makes sense, try it a few times and see if you can get what i mean...the act of practicing it and concentrating on the pivot itself will probably teach it to your self and it real easy once you get it but lotsa beginer get stumped by it.....you'll get it I swear

Answer 3

Best way to develop tough soles is to not wear shoes when ever possible. The skin will toughen out of necessity.

This won't necessarily help with a sweating issue though. If you are concerned about possibly sweat more than you should be you could be suffering from a condition called hyper-hydrosis (over sweating). Speak with a doctor if this is the case and they may be able to recommend something for you.

Other than that I just recommend proper foot care and learn to work through the "extra stick." You won't be barefoot and gliding smoothly in shoes on the street when you need to defend yourself so this is a could be good practice.

Good Luck.

Answer 4

Walk around outside barefoot. Basically, you need to damage the soles of your feet to cause the skin to thicken. Even wearing shoes without socks can help if the shoe has a rougher textured insole.

Not really much else you can do. Sorry.

Answer 5

Hey there guys, she was talking about this because her feet stick to the mats.

Walking around outside is all you need to do. If you have a driveway and practice at home, you can practice on the driveway and yard. Work out on the driveway until your feet are tender then move to the yard. It will take a while, probably a month, so don't try to rush.

Do NOT rub sanpaper on your feet to make them raw, as you need them to walk around on and if they're soft and sensitive you'll have a hellofa time anyway.

I will agree with "Don't pivot on your heels".

If your feet only stick on the mats during practice and that's it I wouldn't worry about it at all and maybe use baby powder or goldbond prior to practice. That should take care of your feet long enough for practice.

If you plan on being a lifer, you may want to develope the calloused feet then.

Answer 6

I used large-grit sand paper on my feet before my last marathon.