Exercises to get your feet in shape

These three exercises can keep your feet tip-top.

1. Place a large rubber or elastic band around the end of your big toes and gently rotate your feet away from each other with your heels on the ground. This exercise is for people with mild bunions. The goal is to increase the range of motion in the joint affected by the bunion, rather than actually correcting the bunion.

2. Place a resistance band -- a large stretchy band used for exercises -- around the leg of a table. Rotate your ankle so you stretch the band out, away from the table leg. This exercise strengthens the ankle muscles.

3. Pick up small stones or marbles with your toes. This exercise strengthens the muscles that contribute to the tendency for toes to curl or "claw" in old age.

Newsday Illustrations / Rod Eyer