3 Exercises to Strengthen the Soleus Muscle

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  • Опубліковано 19 жов 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 145

  • @aquamarine99911
    @aquamarine99911 Рік тому +53

    I only just heard about the importance of the soleus muscle, after two years of working out. This was the place to come. Thanks!

    • @RehabScience
      @RehabScience  Рік тому +9

      Such an important muscle! Glad you know about it now!

  • @JDBoelter
    @JDBoelter 7 місяців тому +5

    Major bonus points for the 2nd and 3rd exercises. I plan to add them to my gym sessions immediately.

  • @nordicwilly6650
    @nordicwilly6650 Рік тому +11

    That last exercise was game changer thanks! I had been doing bent knee heel drops, but wasn't bending my knees enough. But holding to something allows me to bend closer to that 90 degree range. Great video

  • @stephenp.5377
    @stephenp.5377 Рік тому +7

    I'm going to start implementing these exercises into my strength training today. I've battled insertional Achilles tendonitis for some time, and while my podiatrist and PT talked about the soleus, I wasn't given any specific soleus-focused exercises to do (mostly stretching and range of motion, and calf-strengthening, all of which are good, but ultimately haven't helped much). This is very helpful!

    • @RehabScience
      @RehabScience  Рік тому +3

      Glad the video was helpful! Soleus strengthening can be super helpful and important to add to your program when battling Achilles tendinopathy.

  • @KaliforniaKurupted
    @KaliforniaKurupted Рік тому +9

    THANK YOU for this video. Suffered an injury to my right Soleus a few weeks ago, and been out of work for the past 2+ weeks. A little discomfort still remains (healing very slowly) but will start to do exercises tommorow. Did not know about having the knee bent. Will use that machine (where you sit down) in the gym tommorow.

    • @RehabScience
      @RehabScience  Рік тому +1

      I'm glad the video was helpful. The seated soleus machine at the gym is excellent for rehabbing soleus injuries. Best wishes with your recovery!

  • @nicpittscpt5422
    @nicpittscpt5422 9 місяців тому +3

    Thank you! I'll try these. My soleus muscles have given me grief long runs and hill climbs on mt mtn bike.

  • @namazbaiishmakhametov1810
    @namazbaiishmakhametov1810 11 місяців тому +2

    Thanks for giving a variety of exercises! I train at home and was doing sitting calf raises with 20 kg dumbbells (and the heaviest they go is 30 kg so I would sooner or later exhaust my loading limits). Now gonna switch to the last exercise!

  • @Anthony-tn6mu
    @Anthony-tn6mu 7 днів тому +1

    Very clear explanation and guidance.

  • @Fomites
    @Fomites Рік тому +4

    I used this very successfully to treat Achilles tendinopathy in 2011 in a remote geological exploration camp in Tanzania (where I had few distractions). I had a swelling/lesion in the tendon about the size of a quail egg and within about 6-8 weeks it disappeared, pain ceased and I returned to normal activity. I used assymetric contraction (I think is the term). Great video - thank you!

    • @RehabScience
      @RehabScience  Рік тому +1

      Glad to hear these types of exercises helped you. I think you are referring to eccentric contractions, which are often cited in achilles tendinopathy research.

    • @Fomites
      @Fomites Рік тому

      @@RehabScienceThanks. Yes, I'm corrected - eccentric. :-) You mention research - does that mean that eccentric contraction's therapeutic benefit is now in debate? I cannot comment because I have nothing to compare it to. Of course it's not possible to perform only eccentric contraction I think so it may have been just the 'regular' contraction that helped lol.

    • @RehabScience
      @RehabScience  Рік тому

      @@Fomites Eccentric focused exercises still have good research support. However, some emerging evidence has suggested that heavy slow, full range contractions (concentric and eccentric contractions) can be just as effective. It really boils down to the individual and how they respond to each type of loading.

  • @teestarbird4478
    @teestarbird4478 Рік тому +2

    Thank you for this...very simple, easy to follow exercises to strengthen the soleus muscle.

    • @RehabScience
      @RehabScience  Рік тому

      You're welcome! Glad the video was helpful!

  • @googoo554
    @googoo554 Рік тому +2

    Very grateful for a great video, thanks for all yr time and trouble.

    • @RehabScience
      @RehabScience  Рік тому

      No problem! Happy to provide these videos!

  • @devijahn
    @devijahn 2 роки тому +6

    Great to strengthen the ankles! I loved it!, thanks doc 👌🏼🌟

  • @lisalou6825
    @lisalou6825 Рік тому +2

    I have a marathon in 3 weeks (had been training for 11 weeks) and have been out of action for a week so far due to my soleus mainly (also shin splint) so I’ve joined the gym to get some cardio in and am also doing exercises to help the soleus. Your video along with physio guidance and other videos have been really helpful. Hoping that it helps and I can be on that start line 🤞🤞

    • @RehabScience
      @RehabScience  Рік тому

      So glad to hear the video was helpful! Best wishes with your recovery and upcoming marathon!

  • @coachmarioandrija810
    @coachmarioandrija810 Рік тому +3

    Soleus tip toe walks are an interesting one. Great video

  • @neodothsp
    @neodothsp Рік тому +2

    Thank you ❤️

  • @abzdgiga
    @abzdgiga Рік тому +2

    Thank you Doc!

  • @GassonTeddy
    @GassonTeddy 3 місяці тому +1

    Thanks for the tips brother.

  • @NaderBeshai
    @NaderBeshai Рік тому +2

    Thank you for great video.

  • @durgadevisayina518
    @durgadevisayina518 Рік тому +2

    Thank you very much for this great video 🙏

  • @lighting_fast
    @lighting_fast 2 роки тому +3

    Thankyou for explaining this!

  • @JATHARMOHAN
    @JATHARMOHAN 2 роки тому +3

    Informative. Thanks

    • @RehabScience
      @RehabScience  2 роки тому +2

      You’re welcome. Glad you found it to be useful.

  • @durgadevisayina518
    @durgadevisayina518 Рік тому +11

    Yess! University of Houston Texas Paper published 2022 is sparking a wave of interesting Reducing the level of sugar and jnsulin in the blood for diabetics after eating by 52 per cent(better than many diabetes medications) with a very simple movement of this soleus muscle 👍

    • @RehabScience
      @RehabScience  Рік тому +4

      That is a cool paper! I remember Huberman talking about it.

    • @Airfun101
      @Airfun101 Рік тому +2

      @@RehabScience Seeing that video is what got me here!

  • @kch2005
    @kch2005 Місяць тому

    Great video. I am curious to why you are not moving your heel below horizontal, when you are on the step? I would expect full range of motion equalled the heel all the way down?

  • @frankgallagher5786
    @frankgallagher5786 5 місяців тому +1

    Excellent video

  • @federicomachon8841
    @federicomachon8841 Рік тому +2

    Good video thanks

  • @Afghanhulk
    @Afghanhulk 7 місяців тому

    These popular UA-camrs don’t tell u about these “secret” muscles thank u so much I also didn’t know about rotator cuffs for years are there more secret muscles to train? Pls tell me

  • @extrasmalldoll654
    @extrasmalldoll654 Рік тому +9

    These are great to reduce blood sugar!

    • @RehabScience
      @RehabScience  Рік тому +4

      Yes, another cool factor associated with soleus activity.

  • @celebritytalks3352
    @celebritytalks3352 Рік тому +1

    I have shin splints. will it help if I strengthen my soleus muscle, cause that's where I feel the pain? I'd appreciate your reply

  • @LiverpoollegendSteve-j5k
    @LiverpoollegendSteve-j5k Рік тому +1

    I got bad cramp just under my calf when I was running so I had to stop running it was very sore when I touched it! Any ideas of wat I have done?

  • @darrenbeecham5644
    @darrenbeecham5644 Рік тому +1

    Thanks for the video, it finally gives me some hope… I tore the soleus/Achilles junction tendon 3 years ago now, and still in a lot of pain with it..makes just walking some days very uncomfortable…the actual spot is 7 inches from the floor to the tear, so is that the soleus or top of the achilles I have torn?… love to know once and for all ?….
    Hope u can help with the answer, thanks

    • @RehabScience
      @RehabScience  Рік тому

      It’s hard for me to say for sure, without it evaluating you, but it sounds like the tear is probably more associated with your soleus rather than gastrocnemius.

    • @darrenbeecham5644
      @darrenbeecham5644 Рік тому

      @@RehabScience yea I wasn’t sure it was even the top of the Achilles.. how high does the Achilles finish from the floor up ?

  • @rbdelarosa1068
    @rbdelarosa1068 Рік тому +2

    Great tip 👍

  • @chasc301
    @chasc301 Рік тому

    Dr Walter, thank-you for these ‘bent knee’ exercises. Most useful and straightforward to follow, I will be trialling these later at the gym to improve calf strength. Regards from England and a new subscriber.

  • @DylanVarner-pf6up
    @DylanVarner-pf6up 7 місяців тому +1

    I have a question. I'm dealing with pain in the muscles around my shins. It's both sides. It prevents me from running, jumping, or performing at my top level. Its been like this for quite some time now. I would try to do exercises, and the pain would go away, but then I'd start playing sports again, and the pain comes back. Is this soleus? I've done calf raises and other calf/soleus exercises, but the pain keeps coming back. Any recommendations for exercises or advice on what the reason would be behind this? If you read all this, thank you!!!

    • @danneh8777
      @danneh8777 6 місяців тому +1

      Hair search on UA-cam exercises for shin pain

  • @jinggu.
    @jinggu. Рік тому +3

    thanks, ryan gosling!

  • @n00bslayherttv92
    @n00bslayherttv92 Рік тому +1

    nice thanks - wow 7 months ago is pretty recent!

    • @RehabScience
      @RehabScience  Рік тому +1

      Working on putting out fresh content all the time!

  • @indigomarj
    @indigomarj Рік тому +3

    I hear that exercising the soleus muscle greatly helps in reducing blood sugar.

    • @RehabScience
      @RehabScience  Рік тому +3

      Yes, this has been discovered more recently in physiology based research.

  • @alig7800
    @alig7800 Рік тому

    thank you

  • @deepakpatade3404
    @deepakpatade3404 Рік тому +2

    How much time should you do each of these exercises and how often should you do them.

    • @RehabScience
      @RehabScience  Рік тому +3

      I would aim for 2-3 sets of 10-15 repetitions 1-2 times per week.

  • @Iuri-
    @Iuri- Рік тому

    Esses exercícios servem pra aumentar o tamanho do músculo? Ou serve mais pra fortalecimento

  • @abdulvahid4203
    @abdulvahid4203 2 роки тому +2

    Nice. Keep it up.

  • @Ramazanulı
    @Ramazanulı Рік тому +1

    I have a problem in my left calf. When i exercise my calves, soleus muscle does more work than gastrocnemius on my left leg. So my right calf grows bigger, but the left remains small, because the soleus grows instead of gastrocnemius. How to fix that? I tried many variations of the exercise, but nothing works. I can't say there's any damage in my muscle, but it's very hard to contract my left gastrocnemius

    • @45Vikvik
      @45Vikvik 9 місяців тому

      sir did u find any solution

    • @asprinklingofclouds
      @asprinklingofclouds 4 місяці тому +1

      Try Donkey calf raises, where your legs are straight but the upper body is at a 90 degree angle to the lower body. This position pre stretches the gastrocnemius and there is a lot of recent evidence that training muscles in their stretched position leads to more growth. Calf raises on a leg press machine follow the same principle.

  • @GershonBenYitzhak
    @GershonBenYitzhak Місяць тому

    I feel like my soleus is my number 1 limiter when I run or play tennis. 3x days of tennis and it's my only sore part in my leg.

  • @stepha7179
    @stepha7179 2 роки тому +1

    Will strengthening the soleus help the posterior tibial and peroneal tendons as well as Achilles?

    • @RehabScience
      @RehabScience  2 роки тому +2

      It will tend to help both, but more so the tibialis posterior as it helps with plantarflexion.

  • @paulawright4434
    @paulawright4434 Рік тому

    Is it better to do these barefoot or w gym shoes ? I broke a bone (4th tarsal area? ) and just got out of boot. Thank you

  • @vbsand5882
    @vbsand5882 Рік тому +1

    Helping my old man beach volleyball game!

  • @sifoufisou9143
    @sifoufisou9143 Рік тому

    Do you recommend grugs for this injury i got it from a vertical jump more than three months ،?

    • @RehabScience
      @RehabScience  Рік тому

      Sorry, what do you mean by ‘grugs’? If you meant drugs, then, no, I wouldn’t recommend them.

    • @sifoufisou9143
      @sifoufisou9143 Рік тому

      @@RehabScience hhhhhhh I mine medicine💊 I am not addicted

  • @bubbarainwater
    @bubbarainwater Рік тому +1

    I am 54 years old and cannot get more than a mile into a run before I "strain" my calf (possibly my soleus). Crazy thing is after 24 hours I can walk on it with no pain. What am I injuring? Is this an actual strain, spasm, cramp???? I was a student trainer at FSU and I have tried everything I know.

    • @RehabScience
      @RehabScience  Рік тому

      It’s likely not a strain if you recover that quickly and probably more of a sensitivity. Have you tried implementing a graded exposure program where you very slowly expose the area to more and more stress. Stop running right at the flare up point and then try to add a tiny bit more volume at the next session? Soleus strength is hugely tied to achilles and calf health in runners, so I would definitely also recommend doing the exercises in this video. Do you also practice single-leg hopping and/or jump roping? These things can also help condition the muscles and tendon for plyometric tasks.

    • @bubbarainwater
      @bubbarainwater Рік тому

      @@RehabScience the hard part is it just goes suddenly, no build up. Feels just like a pull but heals too quickly. I can walk at 4.5-4.7 for an hour and nothing, same with elliptical, but running always pulls it. I do some jump rope (100 reps x 6 sets) in 10-minute intervals separated by walking on treadmill at 4.0-4.5. I will try these. Thanks!

    • @jegrand
      @jegrand 11 місяців тому

      Did these exercises help get over the soleus strain while running?
      I’m experiencing the same thing right now. No issue with walking or other activities but after about 5 mins of running my soleus begins to cramp pretty bad. Thanks!

    • @45Vikvik
      @45Vikvik 9 місяців тому

      guys did u find any solution

  • @tomkrzyt
    @tomkrzyt 7 місяців тому +1

    It is cool.

  • @annemariethomson6265
    @annemariethomson6265 6 місяців тому +1

    I bet those calves feel pretty good after that. Get all the tension out . Wish I could do it to myself!!

  • @harrisonwest5427
    @harrisonwest5427 Рік тому

    If I have acute shin splint pain, when should i start these exercises?

    • @RehabScience
      @RehabScience  Рік тому

      Usually, you want to start implementing these when they can be done with mild (3/10) or less pain. Or, you can start them when you can walk with minimal to no pain.

  • @adeona2461
    @adeona2461 11 місяців тому

    Thanks ! :) :) :)

  • @RichardThe3
    @RichardThe3 Рік тому

    So, can the soleus muscle be responsible for my left knee, ankle and hip feeling weird and unstable?
    Im very fit and always been exercising, but all of a sudden as a result of increased milage and a bit to intense weight training my foot and left side feel off.

    • @RehabScience
      @RehabScience  Рік тому

      The soleus muscle has been implicated more in running related pain issues, so it is possible that it is contributing to your symptoms. I would add these exercises to your routine a few times each week and see if your symptoms change.

    • @RichardThe3
      @RichardThe3 Рік тому +1

      @@RehabScience Thanks!!

    • @45Vikvik
      @45Vikvik 9 місяців тому

      hey did u add these exercises? i have that kind of pain in my soleus muscle. i hope you doing great!!

  • @wyndell300
    @wyndell300 6 місяців тому

    Bentley calf raises help with Sprint's off the line for the first five or six steps, as the knee is really bent in the beginning of a Sprint

  • @blackpanthergaming4497
    @blackpanthergaming4497 2 роки тому +1

    Big fan

  • @jersabellelim5174
    @jersabellelim5174 Рік тому +1

    Hi! What if I have severe weakness to the point where I have limited ROM for plantar flexion (and dorsiflexion) and can't tip toe while standing/push off my back leg when walking. What exercises can I do? Thanks!

    • @RehabScience
      @RehabScience  Рік тому +5

      If you can’t raise up on your toes in a single-leg fashion, then I would try a double-leg calf raise. If this isn’t possible either, then you can sit down and wrap a band around your foot and point your toe using the band as resistance.

    • @jersabellelim5174
      @jersabellelim5174 Рік тому +1

      @@RehabScience Oohh Thank you!

    • @marysraju498
      @marysraju498 Рік тому

      Yes

  • @thamyal
    @thamyal Рік тому

    is it okay to practice these when you're in low to moderate pain? it gets better after some massage and I've cut down my running training already.
    thanks for the content!

    • @RehabScience
      @RehabScience  Рік тому +1

      Yes, these are fine to do even if they create mild to moderate discomfort. Tendons actually tend to get better when we load them heavy enough that some discomfort is created. If your pain is flared up the next day, then you know the exercise session was too intense and you may need to dial it back a bit.

  • @CMK-Security
    @CMK-Security Рік тому

    As i Runner, i tried my Luck on having the adhesion removed from the Soleus/Gastrocnemious Area on my right leg. But Instead of targeting adhesion on the certain spots, the massage Guy immediatly went full power without any palpating. He put full preassure and body weight on the whole calf Area with very little oil, using only high direct preassure in rather fast upwards motions only and without any Dorsi/Plantarflexion. HIGHLY PAINFULL. He Said IT has to be done/hurt this way. I aborted after 15min. Now slightest Touch of the calf hurts and a weird Feeling / pain seems to be created since the "Treatment" on the back of my right knee and also the groin Area when Walking. I believe due to the repeating high preassure motions performed on the Leg, a certain Nerv might now be compressed. Should i try my Luck on a New therapist asap or Just leave the brutally massaged Area Alone for a while?

    • @RehabScience
      @RehabScience  Рік тому +1

      Sorry to hear this happened to you. I would definitely find a new therapist. The idea that soft tissue work needs to be painful to be helpful is extremely outdated. In the meantime, I would give the area a few days to calm down and would use gentle mobility exercises (ankle pumps, stationary bike, slow walking) to help it recover. Once the area has calmed down, the soleus exercises in this video would be good to implement, especially since soleus weakness has been linked to achilles issues in runners.

    • @CMK-Security
      @CMK-Security Рік тому

      @@RehabScience You May find this funny, but IT took me years to even find Out, that there is something called adhesion that can build Up in between muscle Areas. Here in Vienna Austria, No physical "Special" therapists (contacted about 25 over ten years) and even many consulted doctors, even in Hospitals DO NOT KNOW what a chronic compartment Syndrom (runners compartment syndrom) is and are also Fully unaware of the existence of the less serious Stage, "adhesion of certain muscles"
      I was left for many years with "you dont have thrombosis, and therefore No accute compartment Syndrom is visible".
      So there is IS nothing we can further do for you. Relax and use Magnesium Supplement was the doctors only advice 👍
      After recently finding out about adhesion, i contacted a local massage therapists WHO Claims to be a physical expert.
      He had no Idea what i was talking about and im now left with what seems to be a compressed nerv, thats ranging from calf, over the Back of the knee- Up to the hip and right side groin 🙄
      I tried hot baths, cold baths, anti inflamatory meds, Infrared light therapy, and a TENS device. The pain still constantly present. Any Idea which Nerv(s) could be the Reason? Or could there be a more serious Problem caused when performing brutally hard "massage"?
      One thing I remember before aborting the Treatment, the massage Guy suddendly pushed some Sort of Metal pen Very hard and painfully against the back of my toes and then even tried this on the Sole of my other foot (after i told him that His massage caused high pain in the Leg).
      Could this cause some nerve issues? If so which nerve could cause this widespread pain Up to the groin? 🙏Thx for your time.

  • @XanderCB
    @XanderCB 8 місяців тому +1

    Soleus is considered the primary propulsion muscle in running and walking. It is very powerful. If you only need some sort of rehabilitation, the exercises described here are ok.
    If you need strength in order to solve a imbalance or get better at running fast, a seated calf raises with a dumbell on top is not enough to really overload it. The tiptop walk looks more like a static exercise. Not enough range of motion. The unilateral soleus calf raise shown in this video works but i still belive at some point you will have to overload with a dumbell in one hand.
    If you have acces to a gym, sit on a bench inside the smith machine or sit on a biceps femoris curl machine (like on a chair) and put something under the front of the foot in order to get maximal stretch. Exercise each one leg, start with at least half your body weight and progress from there.

    • @RehabScience
      @RehabScience  8 місяців тому +3

      I agree that loading this muscle more heavily later in the rehab process often is beneficial and important. However, many of the people who watch my channel request exercises that can be done without a lot of equipment, which is why I showed the ones I did in this video.

  • @diser7718
    @diser7718 Рік тому +1

    I can't do this with any of my leg

  • @andanh8
    @andanh8 Рік тому

    you should try to verify the effectiveness of these exercises with a cgm.

    • @RehabScience
      @RehabScience  Рік тому +1

      No, that wouldn’t be useful in the physical therapy world. Exercises are verified for rehab purposes with EMG (electromyography).

  • @hassan520871
    @hassan520871 Місяць тому

    how long do I need to rest after soleus injury (running injury) ?

    • @RehabScience
      @RehabScience  Місяць тому +1

      Muscle injuries tend to heal quite quickly, so you may only need a week or two off from more stressful activities. However, you must listen to your body and base this decision on your symptoms. If you experience more than moderate pain with an activity, then your soleus likely hasn't healed enough.

    • @hassan520871
      @hassan520871 Місяць тому +1

      @@RehabScience thanks a lot. I will take a few days off 💪

  • @jamesfergusson546
    @jamesfergusson546 Рік тому

    Has anyone made the connection between the soleus muscle and plantar fasciitis? I came across a comment in a 30 year old article in Runners World on weight training for long distance runners. The coach said that he rarely saw "heel pain" in runners who weight train. Could a fit soleus muscle reduce or eliminate plantar fasciitis problems?

    • @RehabScience
      @RehabScience  Рік тому +1

      The research definitely has demonstrated that calf raises are one of the best exercises for reducing symptoms associated plantar fasciitis. The research doesn’t necessarily cite soleus as being connected, but it does show that calf raises load and desensitize the plantar fascia.

    • @jeanbob1481
      @jeanbob1481 Рік тому

      Anything I did did not work for Plantar Fasciitis.
      Then I did weighted calf raises and I am much better.

  • @juster4005
    @juster4005 Рік тому

    Why we bent our knees to get the soleus contraction?

    • @juster4005
      @juster4005 Рік тому

      ik that GNM. helps us in the flexion of the knee and planterflexion of the ankle joint. but how can we say that after bending the knee the Soleus is fully contracting not GNM.

    • @RehabScience
      @RehabScience  Рік тому +2

      Bending the knee puts gastrocnemius into a position of active insufficiency, so more of the load is carried by soleus.

    • @juster4005
      @juster4005 Рік тому

      @@RehabScience okay thanks:)

  • @blackpanthergaming4497
    @blackpanthergaming4497 2 роки тому

    Bro make aa video to decrease very high arch

  • @peterstephenpentelbury8875
    @peterstephenpentelbury8875 Рік тому

    Why is it that the more I exercise my inner calf muscles the thinner they seem to get? I've been trying for years...

    • @RehabScience
      @RehabScience  Рік тому +1

      Many people struggle with developing their calf muscles. If you’re only using bodyweight, I would suggest adding more external load. One easy way is to hold a dumbbell in one hand, and then do calf, raises or, if you have access to a leg press machine, do heavier calf raises on that machine.

  • @moosakhan2390
    @moosakhan2390 Рік тому

    PLEASE do not need English words on screen only TALK gives Good understanding . . IT. IS DISTURBING OUR ATTENTION. PLEASE NOTE . ONLY EDUCATED WILL LISTEN ENGLISH. .THANKS 👍

  • @ALANJohnnaveenchandar
    @ALANJohnnaveenchandar Рік тому

    In pronouncing the muscle "Gastrocnemius", kindly do not sound the "C" in the word. It is silent

  • @zarinazarina3813
    @zarinazarina3813 Рік тому

    This type of exercise is similar to Muslims offer prayers in sijjadha and rokhu

  • @mentalraja5772
    @mentalraja5772 Рік тому

    Call me sir