Items8The creator’s order
  1. 1Straight-Leg Wall Calf StretchStraight-Leg Wall Calf StretchThe calves do a lot of the work on every stride, and this is the simplest way to ease them. Face a wall, fence or lamppost with your hands on it, step one foot back, keep that back leg straight with the heel flat and toes pointing forward, then bend the front knee and lean in until you feel a pull…0
  2. 2Bent-Knee Calf StretchBent-Knee Calf StretchSame wall, same staggered stance, one small change: let the back knee bend while the heel stays on the ground. That shifts the stretch lower, into the soleus, the deeper calf muscle beneath the one the straight-leg version reaches. Bring the back foot a little closer than for the straight-leg…0
  3. 3Standing Quad StretchStanding Quad StretchThe classic post-run move, and still the easiest way to reach the front of the thigh without sitting down. Stand on one slightly bent leg, hold a wall or a friend's shoulder with one hand, bend the other knee and draw that heel toward your backside, holding the ankle or the top of the foot. Keep…0
  4. 4Heel-Forward Standing Hamstring StretchHeel-Forward Standing Hamstring StretchA hamstring stretch that needs no bench and no bending over to the floor. Step one foot a short way forward, heel down and toes pointing up, and bend the back knee slightly. Then hinge forward from the hips with your back long and flat until you feel the stretch along the back of the front…0
  5. 5Standing Split-Stance Hip Flexor StretchStanding Split-Stance Hip Flexor StretchThe hip flexors do steady work on every stride, and the kneeling version of this stretch is no fun on wet pavement. Instead, take a long step forward into a split stance with both feet pointing ahead and let the back heel lift. Keep your torso upright, tuck your pelvis slightly under, and ease your…0
  6. 6Standing Figure-Four Glute StretchStanding Figure-Four Glute StretchThe best standing option for the glutes and deep hip, and the one most worth doing next to something you can hold. Stand on one leg, cross the other ankle over the standing knee so your legs make a figure four, then sit back slightly as if lowering into a chair, with a gentle forward lean and a…0
  7. 7Standing Crossover Side StretchStanding Crossover Side StretchFor the outer hip, which often feels tight after a long run. Stand tall, cross one ankle in front of the other, raise the arm on the back-leg side overhead and reach it over toward the front-leg side. You should feel a long stretch down the outer hip and side of the back leg. This is often sold as…0
  8. 8Side Lunge Inner Thigh StretchSide Lunge Inner Thigh StretchThe inner thighs are easy to forget, and this is the standing way to reach them. Take a wide stance, toes pointing forward, then bend one knee and sit your hips back and to that side while the other leg stays straight. The stretch runs along the inside of the straight leg. Hands resting on the…0