Exercise Comparison
Ankle Circles vs Knee Circles
Side-by-Side
Muscle Analysis
Shared
Only in Knee Circles
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.
Knee Circles
Stand with your legs together and hands by your waist.
Now move your knees in a circular motion as you breathe normally.
Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Verdict
Both exercises target the calves. Ankle Circles is a beginner exercise using none, while Knee Circles is beginner and uses bodyweight. Choose Ankle Circles if you have access to none, or Knee Circles if you prefer bodyweight. Knee Circles is a compound movement working multiple joints, making it better for overall strength. Ankle Circles isolates the target muscle for focused development.