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Lower Legs Stretches
Consistent attention to the flexibility of our leg muscles will pay huge dividends on down the road by protecting against shin splints and foot and ankle problems. Just do it.
Tibialis Anterior Stretch Standing
Starting Position: Standing in front of a chair, bench, or ottoman (choose height accordingly), bend your leg and place the top of your foot on the chair. Press the top of your toes into the chair until have put as much distance between your toes and your knee as possible. Hold this position for about 30 seconds. Reverse sides.Desk version: This stretch can also be done at your desk. Anytime you put as much distance between the tops of your toes and your knee as you can, you are stretching these muscles on the front of your lower leg.
 
Calf Stretch
Starting Position: Stand about an arm’s length away from a wall or post. Place your hands on the wall at shoulder height. Keeping the toes of both feet pointed straight at the wall, step about 2 feet forward with one foot. Bend the knee of the forward leg and lean into the wall. Keep your back foot FLAT on the floor with its toes pointed straight toward the wall and its leg extended. CAREFUL not to lock the knee of the extended leg. Hold this position for about 30 seconds. Reverse sides. If you need more stretch, place your elbows on the wall, or start farther away from the wall.
Soleus Stretch
Starting Position: Stand about an arm’s length away from a wall or post. Place your hands on the wall at shoulder height. Keeping the toes of both feet pointed straight at the wall, step about 2 feet forward with one foot. Bend the knee of the back leg and sit into the heel of the back foot. Continue sitting into the heel until you feel a nice stretch just above your Achilles tendon. Hold this position for about 30 seconds. Reverse sides.
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