Exercise Comparison
Ankle Circles vs Calf Press
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.
Calf Press
Adjust the seat so that your legs are only slightly bent in the start position. The balls of your feet should be firmly on the platform.
Select an appropriate weight, and grasp the handles. This will be your starting position.
Straighten the legs by extending the knees, just barely lifting the weight from the stack. Your ankle should be fully flexed, toes pointing up. Execute the movement by pressing downward through the balls of your feet as far as possible.
After a brief pause, reverse the motion and repeat.
Verdict
Both exercises target the calves. Ankle Circles is a beginner exercise using none, while Calf Press is beginner and uses machine. Choose Ankle Circles if you have access to none, or Calf Press if you prefer machine.