Exercise
Ankle Circles
Also known as: ankle rotations, foot circles, ankle mobility warmup
Ankle Circles is a isolation exercise for the calves. Main target: medial gastrocnemius and lateral gastrocnemius. Also works: tibialis anterior. No equipment needed — just your bodyweight.
Muscles worked
How to do it
- Use a sturdy object like a squat rack to hold yourself.
- Lift the right leg in the air (just around 2 inches from the floor) and perform a circular motion with the big toe. Pretend that you are drawing a big circle with it. Tip: One circle equals 1 repetition. Breathe normally as you perform the movement.
- When you are done with the right foot, then repeat with the left leg.
Similar exercises
Calf Stretch Hands Against Wall
Bodyweight
Medial gastrocnemiusLateral gastrocnemius
Calf Stretch Elbows Against Wall
Bodyweight
Medial gastrocnemiusLateral gastrocnemius
Knee Circles
Bodyweight
Medial gastrocnemiusLateral gastrocnemius
Seated Calf Stretch
Bodyweight
Medial gastrocnemiusLateral gastrocnemius
Standing Gastrocnemius Calf Stretch
Bodyweight
Medial gastrocnemiusLateral gastrocnemius
Single-Leg Calf Raise
Bodyweight
Medial gastrocnemiusLateral gastrocnemius
Alternatives with other equipment
Standing Calf Raises
Machine
Medial gastrocnemiusLateral gastrocnemius
Standing Dumbbell Calf Raise
Dumbbell
Medial gastrocnemiusLateral gastrocnemius
Calf Raises - With Bands
Bands
Medial gastrocnemiusLateral gastrocnemius
Calves-SMR
Foam roll
Medial gastrocnemiusLateral gastrocnemius
Donkey Calf Raises
Other
Medial gastrocnemiusLateral gastrocnemius
Rocking Standing Calf Raise
Barbell
Medial gastrocnemiusLateral gastrocnemius
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