Best Calf Stretches

5 Ways to Stretch Your Calves

March 22, 2013

Best Calf Stretches

6 / 7

by Leta Shy 5

Downward Facing Dog

This basic yoga pose is a great calf stretch.

Begin in a plank pose with your hands under your shoulders then lift your pelvis up making a "V" with your body. Spread your fingers wide.
Work on bringing your heels toward the ground.
Allow your heels to flare out slightly wider than your toes
Reach your sits bones, on the bottom of your pelvis, high to the ceiling to increase the stretch.
To deepen the stretch in your calves, try treading lightly by pressing down on one foot while bending your other leg (as shown). Hold a few seconds per leg and then switch.
Hold or alternate your feet for a total of 30 seconds.
You can increase your stretch even more by lifting up one leg into Three-Legged Dog.

6 / 7

by Leta Shy 5

Downward Facing Dog

This basic yoga pose is a great calf stretch.

Begin in a plank pose with your hands under your shoulders then lift your pelvis up making a "V" with your body. Spread your fingers wide.
Work on bringing your heels toward the ground.
Allow your heels to flare out slightly wider than your toes
Reach your sits bones, on the bottom of your pelvis, high to the ceiling to increase the stretch.
To deepen the stretch in your calves, try treading lightly by pressing down on one foot while bending your other leg (as shown). Hold a few seconds per leg and then switch.
Hold or alternate your feet for a total of 30 seconds.
You can increase your stretch even more by lifting up one leg into Three-Legged Dog.

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5 Comments

3 years 43 weeks

ella 1978 - loop a flat stretchy band around the bottom of your running shoes under your forefoot. While standing on the other foot, hold ends of band in one hand keeping light tension. With your leg straight, swing it forward a short distance and then resist against the stretchy band by pointing foot down and back, and then rolling ankle in alternating directions. You should feel a stretch in your shin when you point foot down. Increase tension as needed.

ella1978 4 years 2 weeks

On the same note, Fit. I have started running, and I'm a great stretcher, I know just about every stretch for every muscle out there, but I do NOT have good stretches for my shins, which get a workout while running. Any good ideas for that?