Any CALF stretching methods recommended?

[miaheatlvr]

I'm 39 and not remembering to stretch before I exercise so about 3.5 months ago I pulled my calf muscle coming out of a wave pool. It was so ridiculous and something so innocuous. Well after 3.5 months of taking it easy on that leg I started aggressively working out and aggravated the calf AGAIN yesterday on the elliptical machine.. The body just don't recover like it used to and you just cant jump right in working out at this age. Please at whatever age stretch before working out.

 

[el guapo]

Stand about 3 feet from a wall and face it . Put your hands against the wall flat as if you were going to do a push up. Lean forward and do a push-up on the wall but be sure to keep you feet flat on the floor keep your heel touching . if you don't feel a good stretch then move away from the wall a few more inches . Not only does this stretch out your calves it warms up your upper body too .

 

[veni vidi vici]

Kick a rottweiler and then take off running with a pork chop in your hand.
LOL that should get those hamies and calfs stretched out.

 

[el guapo]

You can also sit on the floor with your legs out infront of you spreed them to a 90 degree angle . Use a small towel and toss it over you foot then pull your upper body to your foot . This stretches your back muscles and your hamstrings , as you come out of this use your upper body to pull your toes backwards . This will stretch out your calves .

 

[veni vidi vici]

Originally Posted by MiaHeatLvr
http:///forum/post/2742635
I'm 39 and not remembering to stretch before I exercise so about 3.5 months ago I pulled my calf muscle coming out of a wave pool. It was so ridiculous and something so innocuous. Well after 3.5 months of taking it easy on that leg I started aggressively working out and aggravated the calf AGAIN yesterday on the elliptical machine.. The body just don't recover like it used to and you just cant jump right in working out at this age. Please at whatever age stretch before working out.

Actually in all seriousness stretching dose nothing to prevent injury.
http://www.runnersworld.com/article/...7001-0,00.html

 

[jeanheckle]

Originally Posted by Veni Vidi Vici
http:///forum/post/2742854
Kick a rottweiler and then take off running with a pork chop in your hand.
LOL that should get those hamies and calfs stretched out.
Now that was the funniest thing I read all day!!!!

 

[jeanheckle]

Originally Posted by MiaHeatLvr
http:///forum/post/2742635
I'm 39 and not remembering to stretch before I exercise so about 3.5 months ago I pulled my calf muscle coming out of a wave pool. It was so ridiculous and something so innocuous. Well after 3.5 months of taking it easy on that leg I started aggressively working out and aggravated the calf AGAIN yesterday on the elliptical machine.. The body just don't recover like it used to and you just cant jump right in working out at this age. Please at whatever age stretch before working out.

At 49 I'm not really feeling any pity, but, if you stand on the stairs and let your heals drop it really stretches the calf muscles. As you can tell by my photo I'm a well toned machine,

 

[yearofthenick]

Booze.

 

[yearofthenick]

Seriously though, what I've found works best for me is when I sit on the floor with my feet stright and together in front of me, I pull on my big toe. I don't know how it's all connected, but for me it's the best way to stretch the problematic areas of my calves... and as a runner, they tend to get aggrivated more than not. Also, drink a lot of water... it helps keep your muscles hydrated so they don't lock up as much.

 

[gmann1139]

Originally Posted by jeanheckle
http:///forum/post/2742995
At 49 I'm not really feeling any pity, but, if you stand on the stairs and let your heals drop it really stretches the calf muscles. As you can tell by my photo I'm a well toned machine,

Big believer in the stairs. Up and down. You'll really feel the burn.
Also, shoes are big, if you're running. Calves tend to tell you first when your shoes are bad/old/worn out.

 

[mimzy]

stand up tall raise your arms into the air, then bend allllll the way forward and reach for your toes; even if you can't touch them, stay bent forward for at LEAST 5long inhales and 5long exhales. DO NOT BOUNCE

also, see "downward-facing dog pose"
http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/491
and click here to find a whole slew of stretches/poses that concentrate on calf flexibility and strength.
http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/fin...l_focus/calves
let us know how u do!

 

[stdreb27]

Originally Posted by Veni Vidi Vici
http:///forum/post/2742884
Actually in all seriousness stretching dose nothing to prevent injury.
http://www.runnersworld.com/article/...7001-0,00.html
I disagree, if your range of motion is put on a scale of 1 to 10 10 being most flexible. Say you only have a range of 4 and you inadvertently move your foot to a 7 something is going to go. Now by stretching your range of motion is a 7 then you don't get that injury.
I used to have problems with my ankles while catching. After a regimen of flexibility motions and calisthenics, I still got hurt, but instead of it hurting for 3 weeks, I'd be over it in a couple of days.
Just read the article, the key point in there imo is them saying "stretching won't change eccentric muscle activity"
which imo causes most injury.

 

[mimzy]

Originally Posted by stdreb27
http:///forum/post/2743442
I disagree, if your range of motion is put on a scale of 1 to 10 10 being most flexible. Say you only have a range of 4 and you inadvertently move your foot to a 7 something is going to go. Now by stretching your range of motion is a 7 then you don't get that injury.
I used to have problems with my ankles while catching. After a regimen of flexibility motions and calisthenics, I still got hurt, but instead of it hurting for 3 weeks, I'd be over it in a couple of days.
Just read the article, the key point in there imo is them saying "stretching won't change eccentric muscle activity"
which imo causes most injury.
here here. flexibility is so important.

 

[veni vidi vici]

On a scale from 1 to 10 if you go to 11 stretching doesn't prevent that injury.Most people dont go beyond there range of flexibility unforced.

 

[stdreb27]

Originally Posted by Veni Vidi Vici
http:///forum/post/2744082
On a scale from 1 to 10 if you go to 11 stretching doesn't prevent that injury.Most people dont go beyond there range of flexibility unforced.
I do understand the concept the article was proposing, as well as see its target audience. And I don't disagree with it based on who it was written for. However I don't really think it fits this application.

 

[veni vidi vici]

Originally Posted by stdreb27
http:///forum/post/2744148
I do understand the concept the article was proposing, as well as see its target audience. And I don't disagree with it based on who it was written for. However I don't really think it fits this application.
Your probably right,I really dont know anything about stretching,as a matter of fact the last time i stretched was to beat a old woman to a $20 bill on the sidewalk. The old broad was quick too.