Those strong calves always made you jealous of others, right? Looking at strong calves gives you an idea of excessive exercise, but hey! That's not the case. Getting bumpy calves isn't that difficult, but it's the most ignored muscle in the exercise routine. Built calves add a more perfect look to muscular legs and have other benefits.
Your calf muscles propel you forward with every step, taking the load. Hence, stronger calves would help you run faster and jump higher. In short, it improves overall cardio strength.
All you need is a reliable guide to safer exercise that focuses on the calves.
Here we recommend 9 effective calf exercises. Please include them in your leg tag for faster results.
1. Jumping lunges
- Stand straight with your feet shoulder-width apart.
- Take a long step forward while simultaneously bending the knee of another leg so that it almost touches the floor.
- Jump and swing your legs in the air and switch legs until you land on the ground.
Repetitions: 12-15
Sentences: 2
2. Walking lunges
- Hold dumbbells. Stand upright, casually.
- Take a long step forward while simultaneously bending the knee of another leg so that it almost touches the floor.
- With the pressure on the front leg, come together in front of both legs.
Now follow the same thing with another leg.
Representative: 12-15
Sets: 2
3. Jump S.Quats
- Stand up straight with your legs shoulder-width apart.
- Take a long step forward while simultaneously bending the knee of another leg so that it almost touches the floor.
- Hold for a few seconds.
- Jump in the air and raise your arms
- Crouch down again. This is a repetition
Representative: 12th
Sets: 3
4. Raised calf R.Aises
- Come to the first step on the stairs.
- Just put your toes on the platform and lift your heels up.
- Lower your heels towards the floor and keep your balance on your footballs.
- Press up on your toes, bend your calves, lower your back to the lower position, and repeat the process
Repetitions: 12-15
Sentences: 2
5. Seated calf raises
- Sit on a bench or chair.
- Hold dumbbells by your thighs.
- Lift your heels as high as possible.
- Slowly lower to the floor and repeat.
Representative: 12th
Sets: 2
6. Farmer's Walk on Toes
- Hold the dumbbells with both hands.
- Stand shoulder width apart and the core locked into place.
- Lift your heels and walk on your toes until you hit the target reps.
Representative:12-15
Sets:2
7th Downward dog
- Place your palms on the floor and do an inverted V stance
- Make sure to keep your back straight and the core engaged.
- Touch the floor with your heels and feel the stretch in your calves. Raise your hips as high as possible.
Representative: 12-15
Sets: 2
8th. Skipping rope
- Stand on your toes
- Hold the ends of the rope in your hands
- Swing the rope from back to front. Jump and let the rope out from under your feet. Keep doing this until you have completed the repetitions.
Representative:30-40
Sets:3
9. To run
Running, walking, and hiking are excellent calf strengthening exercises. Running helps build strong muscles and build strong bones as it is a stressful exercise. Running also improves cardiovascular fitness and burns many kilojoules.
TIP: Warming up the legs is always recommended. Start slowly and be consistent as you add running to your exercise routine.
Run according to your capacity and increase the distance over time.