Strong Ankles, Strong You – 8 Easy Moves to Boost Balance, Stability & Everyday Strength
- Brainz Magazine
- Dec 2
- 4 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
Angela Wood, founder of Angela Wood Health and Wellbeing, is an award-winning Sports and Holistic Massage Practitioner and Tutor with over 20years of experience. Twice named Massage Therapist of the Year (2023 & 2024), she is also co-author of the Amazon best-selling book Elite Sales Specialists.
Your ankles are small, but they are mighty. They keep you steady when you walk, run, or climb stairs, and they take the impact every time that you land on your feet. The problem? Most of us don’t think about strengthening them until we twist or sprain them.
But there is good news! A few minutes of ankle exercise each week can improve your balance, reduce the risk of injury, and keep you moving with confidence. No gym required, just a little floor space and, if possible, a resistance band.
Why do ankle exercises matter?
Strong ankles improve your balance and posture
You can reduce the risk of sprains and injuries, especially as we age
Remain flexible and active in older age
Make daily movement easier
The following exercises performed regularly will promote strong and healthy ankles. Consistency is the key and beats intensity, so don’t worry if at first, they seem a bit challenging. Be steady, not speedy, and barefoot is best.
The 8 Moves
1. Ankle circles
Lift one foot and rotate your ankle 10 times clockwise, then 10 times anti-clockwise.
Repeat with the other leg
Boosts flexibility for smoother movement.
2. Heel raises
Rise onto the balls of your feet, hold for 2 seconds, then lower slowly.
Do 2-3 sets of 10-15 reps
Strengthens calves and improves posture.
3. Toe raises
Lift the toes whilst the heels stay grounded
Hold, then release
Do 10-15 reps
Improves ankle stability.
4. Towel scrunches
Place a towel on the floor and use your toes to scrunch it towards you.
Repeat for 3-5 minutes
Strengthens the muscles of the feet.
5. Resistance band flexion
With a band looped around your foot, point and flex against the resistance
Do 10-15 reps on each side
Builds controlled ankle power.
6. Single leg balance
Stand on one leg for 30-60 seconds
Challenge yourself as you get stronger, close your eyes, or stand on a cushion
Enhances coordination and balance.
7. Calf stretch
Step in front of a wall and step one foot back
Lean into the wall, pressing the heel of the back foot down into the floor
Hold for 15-30 seconds on each side
Increases mobility & prevents stiffness.
8. Heel-to-toe walk
Walk in a straight line, lining up the heel of the front foot with the toes of the back foot
Walk like this for 1-2 minutes
Trains balance whilst moving.
Your 7-day ankle strength challenge
Stronger, steadier, and more confident in just 7 days
Each day, do a short set of ankle-focused moves. The only equipment required is a towel and an optional resistance band. Aim for 5-10 minutes a day. Add the moves into your morning routine, or as part of your workout warmup, and by the end of the week, you’ll notice better balance and lighter, steadier steps.
Day 1 Flex & Flow |
| 2 rounds each side 2 sets of 10 reps |
Day 2 Balance Builder |
| 3 x 30 secs each side 1 minute |
Day 3 Strength & Stretch |
| 2 sets of 12 reps 20 sec hold each side, 2 rounds |
Day 4 Power & Control |
| 2 sets of 10 reps per foot 2 sets of 12 reps |
Day 5 Footwork Focus |
| 3 minutes 2 minutes |
Day 6 Balance Challenge |
| 3 x 20 secs each side 2 rounds each side |
Day 7 Recovery & Reset |
| 1 round per side 30 sec hold each side 5-10 minutes |
Stronger ankles don’t just help athletes, they help everyone. Whether you are walking to work or the shops, chasing after children, or jogging on the weekends, your ankles are the foundation. Take care of them, and they will carry you further steady, strong, and pain-free.
Read more from Angela Carol Wood
Angela Carol Wood, Founder of Angela Wood Health and Wellbeing
Angela Wood has helped thousands of people to live pain-free and specialises in reducing, alleviating, and eliminating pain for her clients. After experiencing a misdiagnosed pain condition following the birth of her third son, Angela turned to natural approaches to solve the problem with great success. This led to her trainiing in sport and holistic massage. Since then, she has expanded her expertise across multiple modalities, dedicating her career to improving lives and empowering others to an active role in their health. She firmly believes that everyone deserves the right to live a pain-free life.
