10 Best Ankle Circles Alternatives for Mobility and Calf Strength

Ranked Ankle Circles Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches Ankle Circles on movement pattern, muscles worked, equipment and body position. The higher the score, the less you change. Open "How to perform this exercise" on a card for the steps; every card title links to that exercise's own alternatives page. Harder versions are tagged as progressions and kept out of the top spot even when they score higher.

1. Best match

   

   1. Knee Circles

   85% match

   • Calves
   • Bodyweight
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   The same equipment, done standing instead.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand with your legs together and hands by your waist.
   2. Now move your knees in a circular motion as you breathe normally.
   3. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps, and add reps before you add load.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: calves, the same as Ankle Circles
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as Ankle Circles
   • Body position: standing, not seated
2. Play demonstration

   Progression

   2. Crab Twist Toe Touch

   73% match

   • Abs
   • Bodyweight
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   A looser match: it uses the same equipment, but it works the abs rather than the calves.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Start by sitting on the ground with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
   2. Place your hands behind you, fingers pointing towards your feet, and lift your hips off the ground.
   3. Extend one leg straight out in front of you while simultaneously reaching your opposite hand towards your toes.
   4. Return to the starting position and repeat on the other side.
   5. Continue alternating sides for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps on each side.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: abs, not calves
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as Ankle Circles
   • Body position: seated, the same as Ankle Circles
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than Ankle Circles
3. Play demonstration

   3. Exercise Ball Back Extension With Rotation

   64% match

   • Spine
   • Stability-ball
   • Advanced
   • Compound

   A looser match: it works the spinal erectors rather than the calves.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Start by lying face down on the stability ball with your hips resting on the ball and your feet firmly planted on the ground.
   2. Place your hands behind your head or cross them over your chest.
   3. Engage your core and slowly lift your upper body off the ball, extending your back until your body forms a straight line from your head to your heels.
   4. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly rotate your torso to one side, keeping your hips and legs stable.
   5. Return to the center and repeat the rotation to the other side.
   6. Lower your upper body back down to the starting position and repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps on each side.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: spine, not calves
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as Ankle Circles
   • Body position: lying face down, not seated
4. Play demonstration

   Progression

   4. Incline Twisting Sit-up

   62% match

   • Abs
   • Bodyweight
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Set up an incline bench at a 45-degree angle.
   2. Lie down on the bench with your feet secured under the foot pads.
   3. Place your hands behind your head or across your chest.
   4. Engage your abs and lift your upper body off the bench, curling forward.
   5. As you curl up, twist your torso to one side, bringing your elbow towards the opposite knee.
   6. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your upper body back down to the starting position.
   7. Repeat the movement, this time twisting your torso to the other side.
   8. Continue alternating sides for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: abs, not calves
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as Ankle Circles
   • Body position: lying on your back, not seated
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than Ankle Circles
5. Play demonstration

   Progression

   5. Gorilla Chin

   59% match

   • Abs
   • Bodyweight
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees slightly bent.
   2. Grasp a pull-up bar with an overhand grip, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
   3. Hang from the bar with your arms fully extended and your palms facing away from you.
   4. Engage your core and pull your body up towards the bar, bringing your chin above the bar.
   5. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your body back down to the starting position.
   6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps on each side.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: abs, not calves
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as Ankle Circles
   • Body position: hanging, not seated
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than Ankle Circles
6. 

   6. Cable Russian Twists

   58% match

   • Abs
   • Cable
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   A looser match: it works the abs rather than the calves.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Connect a standard handle attachment, and position the cable to a middle pulley position.
   2. Lie on a stability ball perpendicular to the cable and grab the handle with one hand. You should be approximately arm's length away from the pulley, with the tension of the weight on the cable.
   3. Grab the handle with both hands and fully extend your arms above your chest. You hands should be directly in-line with the pulley. If not, adjust the pulley up or down until they are.
   4. Keep your hips elevated and abs engaged. Rotate your torso away from the pulley for a full-quarter rotation. Your body should be flat from head to knees.
   5. Pause for a moment and in a slow and controlled manner reset to the starting position. You should still have side tension on the cable in the resting position.
   6. Repeat the same movement to failure.
   7. Then, reposition and repeat the same series of movements on the opposite side.

   Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps on each side.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: abs, not calves
   • Equipment: a cable, not bodyweight only
   • Body position: seated, the same as Ankle Circles
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than Ankle Circles
7. Play demonstration

   Progression

   7. Side Hip (On Parallel Bars)

   58% match

   • Abs
   • Bodyweight
   • Advanced
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand between two parallel bars with your feet shoulder-width apart.
   2. Place your hands on the bars and lift your body off the ground, supporting your weight on your arms.
   3. Engage your abs and slowly lift your legs to the side, keeping them straight.
   4. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your legs back down to the starting position.
   5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: abs, not calves
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as Ankle Circles
   • Body position: hanging, not seated
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than Ankle Circles
8. 

   8. Medicine Ball Full Twist

   57% match

   • Abs
   • Medicine-ball
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. For this exercise you will need a medicine ball and a partner. Stand back to back with your partner, spaced 2-3 feet apart. This will be your starting position.
   2. Hold the ball in front of the trunk. Open the hips and turn the shoulders at the same time as your partner.
   3. For full rotation, you and your partner should twist in the same direction, i.e. counter-clockwise.
   4. Pass the ball to your partner, and both of you can now twist in the opposite direction to repeat the procedure.

   Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps on each side.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: abs, not calves
   • Equipment: free weights, not bodyweight only
   • Body position: standing, not seated
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than Ankle Circles
9. 

   9. Calves-smr

   57% match

   • Calves
   • Foam-roll
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Begin seated on the floor. Place a foam roller underneath your lower leg. Your other leg can either be crossed over the opposite or be placed on the floor, supporting some of your weight. This will be your starting position.
   2. Place your hands to your side or just behind you, and press down to raise your hips off of the floor, placing much of your weight against your calf muscle. Roll from below the knee to above the ankle, pausing at points of tension for 10-30 seconds. Repeat for the other leg.

   Sets and reps: Hold for 30 to 60 seconds and repeat 2 or 3 times.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: calves, the same as Ankle Circles
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as Ankle Circles
   • Body position: seated, the same as Ankle Circles
10. Play demonstration

    Progression

    10. Hanging Oblique Knee Raise

    57% match

    • Abs
    • Bodyweight
    • Advanced
    • Compound

    How to perform this exercise

    1. Hang from a pull-up bar with your arms fully extended and your palms facing away from you.
    2. Engage your core and lift your knees towards your chest, twisting your torso to the side as you do so.
    3. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your legs back down to the starting position.
    4. Repeat on the other side, twisting your torso in the opposite direction.
    5. Continue alternating sides for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps on each side.

    Why this matches

    • Primary muscle: abs, not calves
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as Ankle Circles
    • Body position: hanging, not seated
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than Ankle Circles