Toe strength is a key to walking and running faster, avoiding plantar fasciitis, and preventing falls as you age.

Here’s the best way to strengthen your toes to achieve all of these benefits.

Fold over a towel and place it under your toes while you stand. The towel should be under just your toes – not the ball of the foot too.

Then perform ten heel raises.

If that gets to be too easy, perform ten heel raises standing only on the right foot, then ten on the left. You can hold on for balance if you need to.