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Calf Stretches

Muscles worked

  • Calf

Form Cues

  • Place the ball of your foot on an elevated surface or stair step

  • Let your heel sink down slowly until you feel a stretch in the calf

  • Hold onto a wall or railing for support if needed

  • Hold the stretch for 20-30 seconds

  • Keep the knee of the stretched leg straight to target the gastrocnemius

  • Bend the knee slightly to target the soleus

  • Breathe calmly and evenly during the stretch

  • Alternate between both legs

  • Avoid jerky movements or overstretching

Progressions

  1. 01

    Seated Calf Stretch

    Box / Bench / Step / Chair / etc.
    Box / Bench / Step / Chair / etc.
    • Sit on the floor with one leg extended straight and the other bent

    • Loop a strap or towel around the ball of your extended foot, keeping your knee straight

    • Gently pull the strap towards you, flexing your foot to deepen the stretch in your calf

    • Hold the position, breathing deeply and feeling the stretch in your calf muscle before switching sides

  2. 02

    Wall Calf Stretch

    • Stand facing a wall with your hands placed against it for support

    • Step one foot back, keeping the back leg straight and the front knee bent

    • Adjust the distance from the wall until you feel a comfortable stretch in the calf of the back leg

    • Hold the position, ensuring your back heel stays flat on the ground as you breathe deeply before switching sides

  3. 03

    Step Calf Stretch

    • Stand in a split stance with one foot forward and the other leg extended back

    • Keep the back leg straight while bending the front knee to lower your body

    • Press your back heel down into the ground, feeling the stretch in the calf of the back leg

    • Hold the position, maintaining control and stability, and repeat as needed

Common mistakes

Built into a program made for you

Every exercise here adapts to your goals, equipment and schedule inside the app.