Clubfoot and the gym - exercises to avoid?

Just started going to the gym properly. I'm 20, left foot was Ponseti treated.

Are there exercises I should avoid? Currently doing:
- Squats (hard with uneven feet)
- Deadlifts (ok so far)
- Calf raises (basically impossible on clubfoot side)
- Treadmill running (fine for 20 mins then pain)

Anyone workout regularly with clubfoot? What's your routine?

I gym 5x a week with clubfoot! You don't need to AVOID anything really, just modify.

Squats: try a small heel wedge under your clubfoot to account for the reduced dorsiflexion. Game changer.

Calf raises: do them single leg, lower weight on the clubfoot side. Building strength slowly is better than not at all.

Treadmill: try incline walking instead of running. Less impact, great cardio.

Consider seeing a sports physio for a session to get exercise-specific advice 💪

Swimming and cycling are your best friends for cardio! Way less impact than running and the clubfoot doesn't limit you at all.

For leg day I do:
- Leg press (can adjust foot position)
- Romanian deadlifts
- Hip thrusts
- Step ups (lower step on clubfoot side)
- Leg extensions / curls

Avoid heavy calf work on the clubfoot side until you've built up gradually. I overdid it and got tendinitis 😅

No exercises need to be completely avoided, but modifications can help:

- For squats, address ankle mobility limitation with heel elevation or wider stance
- Unilateral exercises (single leg) allow you to work each leg at its own capacity
- Avoid high-impact plyometrics initially
- Focus on calf and ankle strengthening progressively

A single session with a sports physiotherapist who understands clubfoot biomechanics would be invaluable for creating a personalised programme.

Exercise is one of the best things you can do for long-term clubfoot management 💪👍