Calves-SMR
An intermediate mobility exercise that works the calves, using a foam roller.
Starting position
End position
How to Do Calves-SMR
- Begin seated on the floor. Place a foam roller underneath your lower leg. Your other leg can either be crossed over the opposite or be placed on the floor, supporting some of your weight. This will be your starting position.
- Place your hands to your side or just behind you, and press down to raise your hips off of the floor, placing much of your weight against your calf muscle. Roll from below the knee to above the ankle, pausing at points of tension for 10-30 seconds. Repeat for the other leg.
Muscles Worked
Alternatives to Calves-SMR
10 movements that train the same primary muscle, closest substitutes first — same kind of training, then variations of the movement itself, then a similar difficulty.
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1
Anterior Tibialis-SMR
An intermediate mobility exercise that works the calves.
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2
Foot-SMR
An intermediate mobility exercise that works the calves.
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3
Peroneals-SMR
An intermediate mobility exercise that works the calves, using a foam roller.
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4
Peroneals Stretch
An intermediate mobility exercise that works the calves.
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5
Posterior Tibialis Stretch
An intermediate mobility exercise that works the calves.
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6
Ankle Circles
A beginner isolation mobility exercise that works the calves.
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7
Calf Stretch Elbows Against Wall
A beginner isolation mobility exercise that works the calves.
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8
Calf Stretch Hands Against Wall
A beginner isolation mobility exercise that works the calves.
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9
Knee Circles
A beginner compound mobility exercise that works the calves, needing no equipment.
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10
Seated Calf Stretch
A beginner mobility exercise that works the calves.
Frequently Asked Questions
What muscles do calves-smr work?
Calves-SMR primarily works the calves.
What equipment do I need for calves-smr?
Calves-SMR uses foam roller.
Calves-SMR: is it suitable for beginners?
Calves-SMR is rated intermediate. Movements that assume you already own the basic pattern and are ready to load it.
What can I do instead of calves-smr?
Anterior Tibialis-SMR, Foot-SMR, Peroneals-SMR train the same primary muscles and are listed with 7 more alternatives above.
How do I log calves-smr in Fitnit?
As time held rather than reps. Fitnit records the seconds and credits them to the calves on your body map, so you can see which muscles you train hard and never stretch.
Photographs and step-by-step instructions from free-exercise-db, a public-domain exercise dataset. Muscle mapping and alternatives by Fitnit.
Track Your Calves-SMR with AI
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