6 Calf Exercises for More Shapely Legs

By , SparkPeople Blogger


Having strong calf muscles are what gives our lower legs that often sought after well-defined look, but having strong calf muscles also aids running and walking by allowing for ankle extension. While many of us find working the quadriceps (front thigh) and hamstrings (back thigh) a natural part of our workout routine, do not underestimate the power of working this group of muscles.

Two of the major muscles that make up the calves include the gastronemius (the outer calf) and the soleus (the inner calf). By doing a variety of calf strength training exercises and stretches you are ensuring that you are targeting all muscles involved.

Ankle Flexion

Calf Raises

While standing calf raises are great for targeting the gastronemius, the seated calf raise (below) is great for targeting the soleus.

De-calf-inator

Calf Rocking with Dumbbells

Single Leg Calf Raises on a Step

Calf Stretches

For more calf exercises and stretches, click here to view Coach Nicole’s Calf and Ankle Stretching Routine.

Do you strength train and/or stretch your calf muscles? If so, what is your all-time favorite exercise?

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Comments

KEEPITUP4LIFE 10/4/2019
I can use these exercises to help with the plantar fasciitis Report
CHERYLHURT 9/26/2019
This needs to be updated. Report
NATALIELOUISE11 4/30/2019
Links are dead Report
LABYRINTH 2/26/2019
Several links don't work. 🙄 Report
SPINECCO 12/29/2018
Thanks for sharing. Report
KHALIA2 12/14/2018
Thanks for these great tips! Report
ALEXTHEHUN 10/23/2018
Calf muscles can make for a shapely, attractive leg. Report
SLOWDETERMINED
I see some other people have left a note about the links, but I have noticed this several times in other articles. I believe it would be helpful if someone would check out the links prior to publishing the article. Thanks. Report
MARSHASHADOW
Workng links would be nice. Report
DJ4HEALTH
Thanks Report
NEXT-PHASE
This article is so old that many of the embedded links are no longer valid. Report
JANET552
Couldn't access all the links. Report
SISTERPRETTY
thanks.... Report
_LINDA
My senior fitness class does the calf rocking, but they don't don't do the seated calf raise even though they do a lot of seated exercises. Needs a working link for that demo. Thank you for the info! Report
STRNGNGRNDED
some links need to be updated Report
_CYNDY55_
Great calf exercises, Like them! Report
RUSHER244593
I like to do calf raises with a chair. I have trouble with my balance and I feel like with the chair I have something to grip and not loose my balance. I probably should try more of these exercises too. Thanks for the ideas! Report
25OPTIMIZE
These are great Nancy! I've shared them with the Rookie Runners, and also put the link into the blog I wrote today. AND I've put this one into my favorites! Since I've been doing them, my heel feels better. I'm keeping my fingers crossed, and will continue to do them.

You are AWESOME!!! Report
WOOFERCOALBOY
I wish these exercises were listed in the SparkPeople exercise site! Report
TRUCKUME
I do calf raises at the washer, waiting for it to fill. It was on of my exercises when I had knee replacements. Report
LESLIE56
I do a lot of yoga exercises, which focus on legs and calves. we also do leg stretches in the pool. Report
LITTLEGIRLSMOM1
I am going to try some of these to see if they will help me. Report
NAMERLE
Going to work on my calves. Now! Report
KEEPGOING4WARD
Thats awesome!! Great job!! I need to work my calves I noticed they are getting bigger and I can't fit them into tall boots Report
PHEBESS
I do 100 to 150 calf raises every morning - along with 200 pulsing squats. And balance exercises. And quad stretches. You should see these legs! Report
BREEZMUMM
Any Insanity Max Interval workout works my calves...also Tony Horton's One-on-One Plyo Legs, Bun Shaper, and P90X Legs and Back DVD...great complete leg workouts! (Sorry for the shoutouts, but I'm currently doing these Beach Body programs). And, of course, downward dog while bending the knees one at a time time---awesome calf strectch! Report
BLUESKY104
I do strength train and one of my favorites for my calves is raising up on my toes while holding weights and holding for a few seconds Report
CHRIS3215
Jogging/running & my treadclimber!!!
Plus my stretching!! Report
TEACHING1ST
I've developed some ankle/inner calf nerve problems and have been wearing 'the big black boot' for 3 weeks now. I 'graduated' to a smaller one yesterday and hope to be able to exercise again within a month. I've bookmarked these exercises. I overpronate and had been wearing Shape Ups. The doctor says they're unstable for people with ankle/knee problems and that's probably what started this whole thing. I need to strengthen my ankles, for sure! Report
PATTIKX
Gastrocnemius - there's a "c" in it. It's stuck in my head because it is such a weird word, though I memorized it 30+ years ago for anatomy class. :-) Report
GEOCOSTA
This collection of excercises is a great help. Thanks Report
JIBBIE49
YOGA. It gets the legs for sure. Report
CSULLIVAN604
I try to stretch before and after all my run/walks. I can tell a big difference in how my legs feel during my walks when I do this. Report
GETKIRSCHED
One of David's signature moves, the Plié Squat is a favorite of mine, and just the move to sculpt your calves. This one exercise targets the three muscles in your lower leg- the gastrocnemius, soleus, and tibialis anterior- and also engages the major upper leg muscles- the glutes, quadriceps and hamstrings.

So say goodbye cankles. Bring the Plié Squat into your cardio-sculpting routine, and you’ll be set to premiere those new heels in no time! Report
MARUSSELL
I dislocated and broke my right ankle seven months ago. I have been using some of these exercises to strengthen my legs already. Thanks for the extra ideas for building strength in the calves. :-) Report
STEPFANIER
Editor's Note: Thanks for the comment on the grammar. It has been corrected. Report
KOV123
GOTTAHAVEATRI:
Hysterical grammar correction post.You go girl! Report
ROSIE777
Thank you so much I really needed some good workouts for my calf now that I am running more. ~;o) Report
OODELETEDOO
This is perfect for me because I plan on walking for my main form of cardio! Report
GOTTAHAVEATRI
The title should be "6 Calf Exercises for Shapelier Legs" not "6 Calf Exercises for More Shapelier Legs", unless you mean exercises to increase the number of shapelier legs. An even better title would be "Shapelier Legs in 6 Calf Exercises". Report
CATHEITE
I stretch my calf muscles several times per week, but I don't always strength train them directly. It's my understanding that they are ancillary muscles that are engaged during other exercises, like lunges. Report
MELNAEGELI
I train my calves 2X per week - with leg workouts. One day is a standing day and one day is a seated day -- to target those deep muscles.

My fav is a a standing V-series. With either a barbell or dumbells start with your toes pointed inward toward each other (an upside down V shape) Do 12-15 calf raises in this position, turn the feet so they are parallel to each other and immediately do another 12-15, then turn your feet so the heels are together and toes are pointed out - forming a V shape and immediately do another 12-15 raises. Rest approximately 30-45 seconds and do it again.

This series is excellent for fatiguing the muscles and hitting all parts of the calf! Report
FINDINGBOBBIE
I used to never stretch but after a really bad bout of shin splints I try to stretch for about 10 minutes after my runs. Report
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