Tiptoe Walking — start position
Start
Tiptoe Walking — end position
End

Feet & ankles / Beginner / Isolation (single joint)

Tiptoe Walking

Walking high on the balls of the feet to build calf endurance and steady ankles.

At a glance

Primary
Calves
Secondary
Feet (arch & toes), Outer shins (peroneals)
Equipment
Bodyweight
Movement pattern
Ankle push-off (plantar flexion), Single-leg balance
Level
Beginner
Type
Feet & ankles, Isolation (single joint), Balance / unstable

How to do it

  1. Rise onto the balls of your feet as high as you can.
  2. Walk forward in short steps for 20–30 metres without letting the heels drop.
  3. Keep the weight over the big toe and the second toe and the ankles straight.
  4. Lower the heels, rest, and repeat.

Tips

  • Stay tall; don't bend at the hips.
  • When the ankles start wobbling outward, rest.

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Muscles worked

Neck (Front)Upper traps (Front)Front delts (Front)Side delts (Front)Chest (Front)Serratus anterior (Front)Biceps (Front)Forearms & grip (Front)Abs (Front)Obliques (Front)Hip flexors (Front)Quads (Front)Adductors (Front)Shins (tibialis) (Front)Calves — primary (Front)Outer shins (peroneals) — secondary (Front)Feet (arch & toes) — secondary (Front)Neck (Back)Upper traps (Back)Upper back (rhomboids, mid/lower traps) (Back)Rear delts (Back)Side delts (Back)Rotator cuff (Back)Lats (Back)Lower back (erectors) (Back)Triceps (Back)Forearms & grip (Back)Hip abductors (glute med) (Back)Glutes (Back)Hamstrings (Back)Adductors (Back)Calves — primary (Back)
FrontBack
  • Primary: Calves
  • Secondary: Feet (arch & toes), Outer shins (peroneals)

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Illustration: TVIKY.