These 5 benefits of calf raises will make you want to do the exercise ASAP

How do you finish off leg day at the gym? If you said walking on the treadmill or skipping, then kudos for the effort! But it’s not enough. What you need after a gruelling leg day at the gym is some calf exercises like calf raises. 

Calf raises ensure that there is soreness in your legs post-exercise. Of course, they also make your calves better, stronger, and leaner. 

In fact, in a study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology researchers claim that doing calf raises and its variations will also give you better balance and muscle structure.

If you’re still not convinced about this exercise, here are five solid benefits of calf raises that will prove the supremacy of this simple yet effective muscle. 

1. Calves raises stabilize your feet and ankle
Who knows the pain of wearing heels better than us. And god forbid if that wobble turns into a slip, it can make things even worse. Calf raises can come to your rescue because this simple exercise helps in stabilizing your calves and feet–ensuring you have proper balance.

Not to mention, a study published in the journal Clinical Intervention in Aging stresses on the importance of doing calf raises for stronger ankles.

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2. Your entire lower body performance depends on the strength of your calf muscles
Have you ever tried doing weighted squats and failed? Or have you ever felt muscle spasms in your lower body after doing even a little bit of cardio? Well, calf raises can help you do all that and more.

You see, calf exercises can help accentuate your lower body performance by leaps and bounds.

3. Runners, if you want to increase your speed then do calf raises
Yes, if you are in love with running but afraid of injury–then follow your passion by doing calf raises regularly. How light you are on your feet, how long your strides are, and how your foot lands on the ground–all these things are very important for running. And in all of this, strong calf muscles–courtesy calf raises–can help you.

Not only this, a study published in the Journal of Physical Therapy Science suggests that stronger your calf muscles, the better your speed.

4. Yes to calf raises means a big no to injuries
If you have ever run a marathon then there is no need to explain the aftermath of it. The soreness that you bear can be a little much–so much so that even doing basic things can be a problem. That’s why while you train for an event like this, you should do calf exercises before hitting the ground.

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5. Calf raises are also good for your joints
Most of us report knee pain after doing just a few sets of burpees. And guess what? Your weak calves are the reason behind it. When you vertically jump and land while completing a burpee, it can impact your knee joints–especially if you don’t land properly. The same logic also applies to running on a treadmill.

Doing calf raises, however, can rectify this. Here’s why: a study published in PM & R: The Journal of Injury, Function, and Rehabilitation states that doing calf exercises can make your joints work like a well-oiled machine.

Now that you know, get on your toes and let the calf raises begin.