Calf Stretching Exercises for Runners

Always try to give your calves the muscle stretching of their life before you run and after you run! You should stretch your calves two ways with two different stretching exercises.

First is the normal way where you lean against a wall, step back with the leg to be stretched, knee straight, then keep your heel down and push your hips forward until you feel the stretching in your calf.

Second, keep the same position but bend your knee, which will give a better stretch to the soleus muscle and the Achilles’ tendon.  Staying limber is critical for both workout enjoyment and avoiding nagging injuries and aches (shin splints).