The 12 Days of (Christmas) Exercises: #6

Today is our 6th day of our 12 Days of (Christmas) Exercises and we've got so much shopping and decorating on our minds today that we'll keep it simple with Calf Raises! Your calf muscles (also known as your gastrocnemius and soleus muscles) are located on the back side of your lower legs.

To perform a calf raise, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, knees soft, abdominals pulled in tight, and shoulders rolled back and down. Squeezing with your calf muscles, raise your heels off of the ground and lower. Use your stroller handlebar, a wall, or another stable object to help you maintain your balance if necessary. Try 3 sets of 12-15 calf raises with a brief rest in between sets.

Want to change it up a bit? Keep things interesting? Try any of the following variations:

• Turn your toes in and perform calf raises in this position
• Turn your toes out and perform calf raises in this position
• Alternate between squats and calf raises

Please do not attempt this if you have not yet been cleared by your physician to exercise!