Heel Raise
Heel Raises
Heel raises target the calf muscles and helps build strength and stability in the ankles. These heel raises are perfect to strengthen the ankles and can help improve balance, posture, calf strength and foot strength. Performing this exercise is great for reducing injury risk to the lower body joints and tendons and can enhance performance in other exercises and activities.
How-To Steps:
- Stand up straight on a step with your heels off the edge. Stand with your feet parallel with the floor. You may want a wall or a sturdy table in front of you for support.
- Perform a heel raise: Quickly drive through the balls of your feet to raise your heels up as though you are about to jump but not quite.
- Control the movement as you lower your heels back down at a fast pace.
- Just before your heels reach the start position, repeat the movement quickly. Ensure you continue at a steady, powerful pace. Do not allow your heels to drop below the step.
- BONUS! To increase difficulty of the exercise, raise one heel at a time and repeat the exercise as mentioned above. Switch to the other leg once the desired number of reps is achieved.
*Never do an exercise that causes you pain*