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How do I Increase Ankle Flexibility?

EC Rosenberg
EC Rosenberg

Ankle flexibility is crucial to performance in most sports — particularly those that involve running, jumping, or turning. For many athletes and trainers, however, the importance of ankle flexibility is often overlooked in favor of other, larger muscle and joint groups. Ankle flexibility is important for the average gym-goer as well, and for rehabilitation patients recovering from an injury. Performing ankle rotations and stretching can be effective ways to increase ankle flexibility.

Exercises to improve ankle flexibility often involve strengthening the muscles and tendons around the ankle. Workouts also work to improve the ankle's range of motion and may also improve joint and muscular health. Flexibility training may also help prevent injury.

Improving one's ankle flexibility may reduce the risk of injury during exercise.
Improving one's ankle flexibility may reduce the risk of injury during exercise.

One popular stretch is the plantar flexion. To perform this stretch, sit with your knee straight and point your toes toward the floor, feeling the stretch in the top of the foot and ankle. Stretch until it starts to feel uncomfortable or you can't move your foot further. Hold for 15 seconds, then release. This stretch also can be performed while standing up, moving between having your feet flat on the ground and standing on tip toes. The reverse of this stretch, pulling your toes up toward your shin, can stretch the back side of your ankle.

Certain calf stretches can help improve ankle flexibility.
Certain calf stretches can help improve ankle flexibility.

Simple ankle rotations can help with ankle flexibility as well. Sitting on a bench or chair, raise your foot off the floor and point your toe. Continue pointing your toes while you rotate your foot in a circle to the right. Repeat the rotation in the opposite direction as well. Make sure to point your toes and stretch as far as is comfortable for a maximum stretch. A fun variation on this exercise is to point your toes and trace each letter of the alphabet in the air.

Proper stretching of the ankles can increase flexibility, range of motion and strength, all of which can help prevent injury during exercise.
Proper stretching of the ankles can increase flexibility, range of motion and strength, all of which can help prevent injury during exercise.

Certain calf stretches also can help improve ankle flexibility. By improving the flexibility of the muscles around the ankle, the ankle can become stronger and gain a greater potential for range of motion. This added strength also may provide more support for the ankle. To stretch your Achilles tendon and your calf, stand with your hands pressing against a wall and extend one leg back. Press your heel into the floor; for a deeper stretch, extend your leg further back and lean in a bit. Hold for 15 seconds and repeat with the other leg.

Practicing yoga may help improve ankle flexibility.
Practicing yoga may help improve ankle flexibility.

For each of the above exercises, begin with one set of ten repetitions, unless you feel pain or a doctor has told you otherwise. Gradually build to three sets of ten reps. Stretching should not normally be painful. Many gyms have personal trainers to assist if you have questions, or you can consult your physician before beginning a new exercise routing.

Discussion Comments

Spotiche5

@raynbow- If you haven't tried doing various dance steps to increase your ankle flexibility, you should. Dancing provides some of the best forms of exercise for all parts of your body, especially your legs.

Any type of dancing will help to increase your ankle flexibility, but some types are better than others. Clogging, for example, depends on having a good range of motion in your ankles. The movements that you do in this type of dance gets your ankles moving in every direction, which makes the muscles in them flexible. And of course, ballet is ideal for giving your ankles a good workout. This form of classical dance also helps you develop strength in the muscles in your ankles, which also goes a long way to keeping them flexible.

Many dance studios offer short classes for people who simply want to use them to keep in shape. If you are interested, you should call different studios in your area to see what types of dance classes they offer for people who want to use the classes to stay flexible.

Heavanet

@raynbow- You should try using leg weights while doing these exercises. They are great for increasing flexibility and strength. You can also use ankle weights while walking, which is very good for getting your ankles in top physical shape.

Raynbow

What is a good ankle exercise to graduate to after you have improved your flexibility with stretches and rotations? I feel like these exercises have helped me tremendously, and now I'm ready for rigorous exercises to further increase the flexibility in my ankles.

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    • Improving one's ankle flexibility may reduce the risk of injury during exercise.
      By: Martinan
      Improving one's ankle flexibility may reduce the risk of injury during exercise.
    • Certain calf stretches can help improve ankle flexibility.
      By: and.one
      Certain calf stretches can help improve ankle flexibility.
    • Proper stretching of the ankles can increase flexibility, range of motion and strength, all of which can help prevent injury during exercise.
      By: Dirima
      Proper stretching of the ankles can increase flexibility, range of motion and strength, all of which can help prevent injury during exercise.
    • Practicing yoga may help improve ankle flexibility.
      By: magann
      Practicing yoga may help improve ankle flexibility.
    • Ankle stretches should be undertaken prior to dancing.
      By: CedarchisCociredeF
      Ankle stretches should be undertaken prior to dancing.
    • Ankle and calf stretches are good warm-up movements for anyone who runs.
      By: evgenyatamanenko
      Ankle and calf stretches are good warm-up movements for anyone who runs.
    • It is important to consult with a physician prior to beginning a new exercise routine.
      By: Photographee.eu
      It is important to consult with a physician prior to beginning a new exercise routine.