The Ballet Dancer’s Workout You Can Do While You Brush Your Teeth

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I'm a big fan of multitasking. I've always got upward of 20 tabs open in my browser, I listen to podcasts or watch my favorite TV shows while working out, and many of my meals are eaten with one hand on the keyboard and the other holding a fork. (I'm not proud of that last one.) So of course when I found out there's a simple way you can build up your calf muscles while getting ready in the morning, I was all in.

Back in my ballet days, relevé—rising onto my tiptoes—was an essential part of footwork at the barre. It also happens to be a killer strengthening exercise for your ankles and calves. But you don't need a studio to get it done. Misty Copeland does 20 relevés on each foot each morning, and you can steal every ballerina's secret to toned legs by doing a similar routine yourself as you stand at your bathroom sink.

Every morning, make it your mission to hold a relevé for as long as it takes you to brush your teeth, resting a hand on the edge of the sink for balance. The American Dental Association recommends brushing for two minutes, twice a day, which is more than enough time to squeeze in a ballet dancer's miniature workout. It might not seem like enough time to have an impact, but never underestimate the power of ballet. After just 30 seconds of relevé, you'll start to feel the burn.

This is the workout one renowned ballerina swears by for strength training and recovery. You can also try this booty-kicking workout that will make you feel like a (sweaty) prima ballerina.

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