Exercise Comparison
Ankle Circles vs Standing Dumbbell Calf Raise
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.
Standing Dumbbell Calf Raise
Stand with your torso upright holding two dumbbells in your hands by your sides. Place the ball of the foot on a sturdy and stable wooden board (that is around 2-3 inches tall) while your heels extend off and touch the floor. This will be your starting position.
With the toes pointing either straight (to hit all parts equally), inwards (for emphasis on the outer head) or outwards (for emphasis on the inner head), raise the heels off the floor as you exhale by contracting the calves. Hold the top contraction for a second.
As you inhale, go back to the starting position by slowly lowering the heels.
Repeat for the recommended amount of times.
Verdict
Both exercises target the calves. Ankle Circles is a beginner exercise using none, while Standing Dumbbell Calf Raise is intermediate and uses dumbbell. Choose Ankle Circles if you're looking for a more accessible option, or Standing Dumbbell Calf Raise for a greater challenge.