MIM: Heel Raises

This week’s Move It Monday exercise can be done ANYWHERE with a curb or a step!  We think you can find plenty of those on your dog walk!  This week we’re doing heel raises off a raised platform – by doing this you are getting a larger range of motion, working even more of your muscles around your ankle.  If you have any pain you should do these from a flat surface.  This will help build strength from the feet up – you’re working your feet, ankles, calves, and building up your balance! Keep a nice strong core throughout!  Here’s how to do it:

-Stand on the curb or step with your heels hanging off the back.

-Lower your heels down below curb level (left pic) – use a rail or other stable object if you need help balancing at first! – and squeezing your calves, bring yourself up onto your toes (right pic) and repeat.

-That’s IT!  Advanced: try it with one foot at a time!

Perform 10 of these, 3 times along your dog walk.  Your pup’s part is to sit and stay while you do these and to HEEL with you as you continue on your walk or jog!  Both are important commands to practice daily with Fido.  Let us know how you each do!