Seated Calf Stretch
A beginner mobility exercise that works the calves.
Starting position
End position
How to Do Seated Calf Stretch
- Sit up straight on an exercise mat.
- Bend one knee and put that foot on the floor to stabilize the torso.
- Straighten your other leg and flex your ankle.
- Using a band, towel, or your hand if you can reach, pull the toes toward you. Hold for 10 to 20 seconds, then switch sides.
Muscles Worked
Alternatives to Seated Calf Stretch
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
Standing Gastrocnemius Calf Stretch
A beginner mobility exercise that works the calves.
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2
Calf Stretch Elbows Against Wall
A beginner isolation mobility exercise that works the calves.
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3
Calf Stretch Hands Against Wall
A beginner isolation mobility exercise that works the calves.
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4
Standing Soleus And Achilles Stretch
A beginner isolation mobility exercise that works the calves.
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5
Knee Circles
A beginner compound mobility exercise that works the calves, needing no equipment.
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6
Peroneals Stretch
An intermediate mobility exercise that works the calves.
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7
Posterior Tibialis Stretch
An intermediate mobility exercise that works the calves.
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8
Ankle Circles
A beginner isolation mobility exercise that works the calves.
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9
Calves-SMR
An intermediate mobility exercise that works the calves, using a foam roller.
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10
Peroneals-SMR
An intermediate mobility exercise that works the calves, using a foam roller.
Frequently Asked Questions
What muscles do seated calf stretch work?
Seated Calf Stretch primarily works the calves. The hamstrings and lower back assist as secondary muscles.
What equipment do I need for seated calf stretch?
The source dataset does not record equipment for seated calf stretch. Check the instructions above before you set up.
Seated Calf Stretch: is it suitable for beginners?
Yes. Seated Calf Stretch is rated beginner. Movements you can learn in a session, with a low skill floor and a forgiving failure mode.
What can I do instead of seated calf stretch?
Standing Gastrocnemius Calf Stretch, Calf Stretch Elbows Against Wall, Calf Stretch Hands Against Wall train the same primary muscles and are listed with 7 more alternatives above.
How do I log seated calf stretch 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.
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