I have to admit, I've always been a leg man. Whether it's the shapely limbs of particular Hollywood celebrities or the chiseled legs of a professional cyclist, both grab my attention. But, strong looking legs are not just for appearance. They are an asset in virtually every sport and every activity one does. The lower legs are dominated by the calf muscle, which often doesn't get the attention of the larger thigh and glute muscles higher up the body. The calfs' relatively small size disguises its importance in simple activities like extending the foot while walking, running and just maintaining balance. Additionally, they play a big role in speed and power. I like to incorporate sprinting into my exercise routines because much of our ability to accelerate comes from the final explosive push that the calf muscles provide. But be careful, they are also one of the easiest muscles to injure. Here are a few tips I share with my clients on how to develop great calf strength without breaking the bank on expensive workout equipment.

Dumbbell Calf Jumps (Sets: 3/ Reps: 15)

-Stand with your feet hip-width apart

-Grab dumbbells and hold to your side

-Dip your knees to a 45 degrees

-Jump as high as you can

-Point toes toward the floor when you jump

-Land back in a 45 degree angle, and repeat jump

Chris Vanover is an iRock Fitness Personal Trainer and shares his fitness tips every week. Follow him at twitter.com/fitnessguru801; add him at facebook.com/chris.vanover1; or e-mail him at topher801@hotmail.com.