03/23/2026
Do you know what a slant board is? Mary Jean explains!
An incline/slant board is a simple tool that lets you stand at an angle to stretch your lower legs. It looks basic, but it’s surprisingly effective. Here’s what it helps with:
- Better calf flexibility: Using a slant board puts your ankles into dorsiflexion (toes higher than heels), which gives you a deeper, more controlled stretch than flat-ground stretching. This helps loosen tight calf muscles (gastrocnemius and soleus)
- Improved ankle mobility: Limited ankle mobility can affect everything from walking to squatting. Regular use helps increase range of motion, which can:Improve squat depth, reduce compensations in knees and hips, and enhance overall movement quality
- Injury prevention: Tight calves and stiff ankles are linked to issues like: Achilles tendinitis, plantar fasciitis, Shin splints.
- Better posture and alignment: Tight calves can subtly pull your posture out of alignment. Improving ankle mobility can help: keep heels down during movements, reduce forward lean, support better overall balance!
