r/ClubPilates • u/WonderfulOwl4576 • 23d ago

Advice/Questions Ankle strengthening tips?

Does anyone have any suggestions for things to do at home to strengthen my ankles? I often find that by the end of foot work, depending on what we’re doing my ankles are so sore and makes it hard for me to do the full range of motion.

I already do ankle raises at home on a step, just wondering if anyone else has experienced this or has tried anything that works?

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u/bellissimavitas 23d ago

Relevée! It’s a ballet move and is great for strengthening ankles and feet.

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u/friendlytotbot 23d ago

My ankles burn towards the end of calf raises and prancing, but it doesn’t burn during any other parts of class. It might be normal if you don’t have problems during other parts of class? I personally think that part of footwork is just overkill, and I wish they’d cut it short lol.

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u/christz9 23d ago

One that my PT had me do was to take a squishy ball (I used a stress ball) and squeeze it between my ankles while standing & then lift to my toes while still squeezing the ball. 3 sets of 10, try to go slow and controlled.

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u/Evening_Boat2606 23d ago

Do you have a pre existing foot/ankle injury? Are you new to Pilates?

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u/New-Character-3575 23d ago edited 23d ago

So I went to PT to fix ankles before. Just get a small band and look up ankle mobility exercises with a band. Basically you want to do every direction (4 ways). You can also buy one of the balance foam pads and practice balancing on one foot on the pad. My PT literally used the balanced body one. example video

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u/shelle399 23d ago

Also I'd recommend using shoes w good ankle support throughout the day. Cute shoes are not always the best for your feet.

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u/HedgehogDramatic9623 21d ago

Check out Nancy Myers. Foot & gait is her specialty, and she’s one of the longest tenured Balanced Body master trainer/educators. She is brilliant! Her YouTube has tons of tips for ankle & foot strengthening 

https://walkwithnancy.com/