A Move You Should Do MONDAY – Gravity Drop

Today’s move is a simple but powerful exercise designed to stretch your gastrocnemius/soleus (calf) muscles. The gravity drop addresses tightness in the lower part of superficial back line of fascia which runs from the bottom of your feet to the front of your skull. To perform the gravity drop, stand with your feet hip width apart and toes pointed straight ahead with the balls of your toes on a 3″ high object (a book, a small curb or a half foam roll will work). This is the 1/2 foam roll we use.

Man demonstrating exercises on towel for balance training.

Stand facing straight ahead for 1 minute. Then turn to the right (you will feel this more in your left calf) and then to the left (you will feel this more in your right calf) for one minute each. You know you’ve mastered this exercise if you can do it barefoot and not feel a stretch in your calves.

Why does this matter?

The gravity drop:

Improves flexibility in the superficial back line, decreasing heel pain, low back pain and even headaches.
Helps you walk correctly, with your toes pointed straight ahead. This ultimately loads the biggest muscles of your body: quads, glutes and hamstrings.

So go and buy one of these great 1/2 foam rolls and start stretching.

Because nobody has time to be in pain.

Until next time…