Jump and skip: We probably didn't know this when we were younger, but skipping actually works two major muscles in our calves (the gastrocnemius and soleus). There's no reason why you shouldn't pick up your skipping rope again and relive your childhood. Start small with 30 jumps, work up to 50, 100 and then 200 and soon you'll be skipping your way to sexy legs.
Standing calf raises: Face a wall and stand about two feet away. Place your hands on the wall and lean your body in a straight line towards the wall, keeping your heels on the floor. Raise up onto your toes (which are basically the balls of your feet) and hold for 10 seconds. You should feel a stretch throughout your calves. Do 3 sets of 6, resting 30 seconds between each set.
Seated calf raises: Sit on a sturdy chair with your feet flat and hip width apart. Place the balls of your feet on a rectangular object with your toes flat and facing forward. Now lift your heels (as high as you can), keeping your toes flat on the object. Hold your heels up for 5 to 10 seconds, then lower your heels when you feel a stretch in your calves. Do 3 sets of 6 repetitions.
RunningWalk, jog & sprint: Whether it's a walk in the park, jogging or even running, adding short bursts of sprinting to your favourite cardio routine can also help your cause! You see, when we walk or run, most of the impact is on the heel, but when we sprint, the focus is on the ball of the foot. Add sprint intervals of 10 to 30 seconds.
Treadmill incline mode: Make the most of your time on the treadmill by walking/running on an incline. This stretches and engages key calf muscles. For another low-impact workout, try the elliptical trainer, which mimics the motion of climbing stairs. Not only will this tone your calves (and thighs), but it will also lengthen the calf muscles if you haven't exercised in a while.
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