Exercise Comparison
Ankle Circles vs Anterior Tibialis-SMR




Side-by-Side
Muscle Analysis
Shared
Instructions
Ankle Circles
Use a sturdy object like a squat rack to hold yourself.
Lift the right leg in the air (just around 2 inches from the floor) and perform a circular motion with the big toe. Pretend that you are drawing a big circle with it. Tip: One circle equals 1 repetition. Breathe normally as you perform the movement.
When you are done with the right foot, then repeat with the left leg.
Anterior Tibialis-SMR
Begin seated on the ground with your legs bent and your feet on the floor.
Using a Muscle Roller or a rolling pin, apply pressure to the muscles on the outside of your shins. Work from just below the knee to above the ankle, pausing at points of tension for 10-30 seconds. Repeat on the other leg.
Verdict
Both exercises target the calves. Ankle Circles is a beginner exercise using none, while Anterior Tibialis-SMR is intermediate and uses other. Choose Ankle Circles if you're looking for a more accessible option, or Anterior Tibialis-SMR for a greater challenge.