This smart, three-position calf stretch is becoming a favorite among trainers in the U.S. for improving ankle mobility, muscle balance, and overall lower-body performance.

Calves have tantrums, too. Courtney Love will throw herself on the ground when she’s tired of training. Credit: CAROLE SOULE / For the Monitor Courtney, the calf, flopped down, legs stretched out, ...

A new study, currently pre-print, tested the effects of different training techniques on muscle hypertrophy, which is the increase in the size of muscle cells. Researchers specifically focused on the ...

Those little muscles at the back of your lower leg do a lot of heavy lifting, research has shown. A 2017 review found that targeted calf strengthening not only increases muscle performance but also ...

Calf strength and ankle mobility are crucial for all athletes but particularly runners. When your foot strikes the ground, the functional stability of the whole kinetic chain relies on a strong and ...

Want to stay sharp as you age? Start with your lower legs. Calf size is more than just a muscle metric—it may also reflect brain health. A 2025 study found that people with calves smaller than 31 ...