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Best Calf-Stretching Devices

Updated January 2023
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Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
StrongTek Professional Slant Board
StrongTek
Professional Slant Board
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Durable & Rugged
Bottom Line

Safe and secure, this wooden slant board stays in place while you stretch to either prevent or recover from injury.

Pros

Recommended by professionals for both injury prevention and recovery. Great for athletes and active people of all ages and experience levels. Adjusts to 5 positions: 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 degrees. Made from premium, high-quality hardwood.

Cons

May be heavier and less easily transportable than wooden and plastic rockers.

Best Bang for the Buck
ProStretch Blue Calf Stretcher
ProStretch
Blue Calf Stretcher
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Simple Yet Solid
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This rocker helps relieve pain and tightness in leg muscles, which in turn relieves pain and tightness in everything below it.

Pros

Automatically holds the foot in the best position for stretches. Fits up to adult men's shoe size 13. Has a 250-pound weight limit. Slip-resistant bottom. Great for runners and post-surgery recovery.

Cons

Uncomfortable to use without wearing shoes.

IdealStretch Hamstring Stretching Aid
IdealStretch
Hamstring Stretching Aid
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Best for Experts
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This lightweight steel tool enables you to stretch while lying on your back, which eliminates the risk of falling or back injuries.

Pros

Stretches calves and hamstrings at the same time. Stretch lying on your back with your knee straight. Lightweight steel frame with heavy-duty construction. Adjustable for different heights.

Cons

Pricey but effective. Handle is not designed very well.

Rolling With It Wood Calf Stretcher
Rolling With It
Wood Calf Stretcher
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One Size Fits All
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One-size-fits-all wooden rocker with a wider base and ergonomic design to target both primary and stabilizing muscles.

Pros

Professional-quality material expands the range of possible stretches. Wider base for enhanced balance and stability. Optimizes daily stretches for improved strength and flexibility. Descriptive tutorial with images and instructions included.

Cons

Beginners may find that this product takes some time to get used to.

DMoose Calf and Foot-Stretching Device
DMoose
Calf and Foot-Stretching Device
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Simple Yet Solid
Bottom Line

Strengthens joint and leg muscles with a therapist-approved, easy-to-use design that fits a wide range of wants and needs.

Pros

Great support for issues with Achilles tendons and plantar fasciitis. There are 6 hand loops for a wide range of stretches. Great for general fitness stretching on top of treating and preventing injuries. Buyers love the simplicity and easy-to-store design.

Cons

People complain about low-quality materials that broke with minimal use.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

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Consulted
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Buying guide for best calf stretchers

It’s essential that your calf muscles are loose enough to allow your ankles to express their full range of motion. If you are an athlete, taking care of your calves should be one of your top priorities. If you are recovering from an injury, a physical therapist may recommend stretching your calf muscles regularly. There are many exercises that you can do, but if you want to get the most impressive results, you could benefit from a calf-stretching device.

However, not all calf stretchers are suitable for everyone. The best calf stretcher allows you to safely and confidently stretch your calf muscles to the appropriate degree. Your calf-stretching device must be strong enough to support your weight and durable enough to be used every day. Additionally, you’ll want a model that fits comfortably within your budget.

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Any time you move your calf past its limits, you tear muscle fibers. Regular, gentle stretching with a calf stretcher allows you to maintain a full range of motion without causing injury to the muscle.

Key considerations

There are a few different types of calf-stretching devices available. Each has its pros and cons. Depending on the type of stretching you need to do, you may find that one type is better suited to your needs.

Foam rollers

A foam roller is like a pool noodle. It is a cylindrical piece of foam that you place on the floor and rest your outstretched legs over. As you roll back and forth, you’ll feel a gentle kneading of your calf muscles. Alternatively, there are half-round foam rollers that you can place the balls of your feet on to get a more dynamic stretch while standing. Foam rollers are inexpensive, lightweight, and easy to use, but they don’t provide a high level of intensity.

Calf stretcher straps

You use a calf stretcher strap by wrapping it around your foot or slipping your foot into a loop and then gently pulling the strap to move your toes toward your shin. The beauty of this type of stretching device is that you are in complete control of the tension of the stretch. Straps are also lightweight and reasonably priced. The downside is that straps may be a little abrasive on your skin.

Incline boards

An incline board is a small board that is usually made of wood, though inexpensive models may use plastic or foam. When you stand on the incline, it forces your toes up, making a sharper angle at your ankle to stretch out your calf muscles. The best models have an adjustable incline, but you always need to be sure the incline’s not too steep as you are committed to the full stretch once both feet are on the board. Wood incline boards can be pricey. Additionally, they are heavier than other types of calf-stretching devices, but they are very easy to use.

Rockers

These calf-stretching devices look like curved pedals. Typically, they are manufactured using durable plastic, but they can be made of wood as well. You will need to support yourself with a wall or chair when using a rocker because these devices are not very stable and you can rock too deep into the stretch and injure yourself. However, these calf stretchers do tend to offer the deepest stretch. They are reasonably priced and have a slight learning and comfort curve, but once you get the hang of them, they can be more effective than other types of calf-stretching devices.

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Did you know?
In order to walk, your ankle must be able to flex enough so that your toes can move toward your shin at least 15 degrees. If your calf muscle is too tight, this can’t happen.
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Features

Size

Most calf-stretching devices can accommodate any foot size. The only calf stretchers that may pose a problem are straps that have loops that are too tiny for larger feet or rockers that are too small for larger shoe sizes.

Weight limit

Be sure the calf-stretching device you are considering is rated to handle your full body weight. With most devices, that’s not a problem. However, certain incline boards might not be able to support heavier people.

Slip-resistant

The last thing you want while trying to heal is to step onto a rocker and have it slide across the floor, causing you to fall and further injure yourself. Be sure that whatever type of calf-stretching device you get, it’s slip-resistant. And don’t just rely on the manufacturer’s advertising copy. To be safe, test your model before putting your full weight on it.

Adjustable stretch

Some types of calf stretchers are best for shallow stretching like foam rollers, while others are designed to stretch deeply like rockers. However, some incline boards have several settings, which allows you to adjust the stretch to your needs.

Calf stretcher prices

Calf stretchers range in price from less than $10 to more than $70, depending on the type of device.

At the low end, for under $15, you can find durable foam devices that you can stand on. These calf stretchers do not offer as deep of a stretch, but they aren’t bad for getting started.

From $15 to $25, you can find a wide variety of calf-stretching devices, from incline boards to rockers. You can also find durable stretching straps in this price range.

In the $25 to $50 range, the products are a little more rugged, using materials other than plastic.

As you move over $50, rockers and incline boards are mostly crafted from wood.

Tips

To get the most out of your calf-stretching device, you need to be certain you are using it correctly. An aggressive approach could lead to more harm than good. Here are a few tips to help you achieve success with your new device.

  • Before beginning any new stretching regimen, check with your doctor or physical therapist to be sure that it is a good approach.

  • Seeing results can take time. It is important to be patient and faithfully perform your stretches every day to see the greatest benefits.

  • Dress comfortably for your stretching session. Do not wear clothing that may inhibit your movement.

  • Be sure you are wearing shoes that won’t slip or slide as a sudden jolt could damage your calf muscles.

  • No matter which calf stretcher you use, you need to be stable and steady so you don't hurt yourself. Usually, this means leaning against a wall or holding onto a countertop or chair to maintain your balance.

  • Do not bounce. Instead, gradually slide into the stretch until you feel a little tension, not pain.

  • Stretching should not hurt. If you feel pain, you should stop using your calf-stretching device immediately and consult your doctor or physical therapist.

  • It really doesn’t require much time to stretch your calves. Just three 30-second sets per muscle is enough.

  • By bending or twisting at your waist, it is possible to focus on different muscles.

  • You can change the intensity of your stretch by slightly bending your leg at the knee.

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To stretch the calf muscle, you need to raise your toes to create a V shape at your ankle. The deeper the V, the deeper the stretch.

FAQ

Q. What do the calf muscles do?

A. The calf muscle is actually a couple of muscles: the gastrocnemius muscle and the soleus muscle. These are the muscles that allow you to walk, run, jump, or just stand still without falling over. They are also essential for circulation as the calf muscles drive blood back up to your heart. You need healthy, fully functional calf muscles to lead an active life.

Q. What kinds of problems can arise from tight calves?

A. Because the calves are essential to everyday living and day-to-day activities, numerous problems can result from tight calf muscles. Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common and most painful problems. This condition can make it difficult to get out of bed each morning for fear of the sharp pain that accompanies that first step. Achilles tendonitis, shin splints, back pain, and even headaches can also be caused by a tight or injured calf muscle.

Q. How can stretching my calves benefit me?

A. Depending on your job or lifestyle, your calf muscles may be contracted for several hours at a time every day. Because they are under such constant strain and stress, calf muscles will begin to shorten if you do not regularly take them gently through their full range of motion. Daily stretching of your calves allows you to continue living a full, active, pain-free life.