Barbell Seated Calf Raise

How to do the Barbell Seated Calf Raise

1. Place a block about 12 inches in front of a flat bench.
2. Sit on the bench and place the ball of your feet on the block.
3. Have someone place a barbell over your upper thighs about 3 inches above your knees and hold it there. This will be your starting position.
4. Raise up on your toes as high as possible as you squeeze the calves and as you breathe out.
5. After a second contraction, slowly go back to the starting position. Tip: To get maximum benefit stretch your calves as far as you can.
6. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Muscles worked

Role	Muscles
Primary	calves
Equipment	barbell
Difficulty	beginner
Type	isolation

No barbell? Train the same muscles with these

Ordered by how likely you are to own the 6 options.

Calf Raises - With Bands Resistance Bands Calf Raise On A Dumbbell Dumbbell Dumbbell Seated One-Leg Calf Raise Dumbbell Standing Dumbbell Calf Raise Dumbbell Calf Press Machine Calf Press On The Leg Press Machine Machine

Harder than the Barbell Seated Calf Raise

Standing Dumbbell Calf Raise intermediate · Dumbbell Donkey Calf Raises intermediate · Other Equipment Calf Raise On A Dumbbell intermediate · Dumbbell

Superset the Barbell Seated Calf Raise with

Opposing quads work — alternate sets without extra rest.

Barbell Side Split Squat quads Barbell Squat quads Barbell Walking Lunge quads Barbell Full Squat quads

Common questions

What muscles does the Barbell Seated Calf Raise work?

The Barbell Seated Calf Raise primarily works the calves. Calf Press, Calf Press On The Leg Press Machine, and Calf Raise On A Dumbbell train the same muscle, across 7 equipment types.

What equipment do you need for the Barbell Seated Calf Raise?

A Barbell. Without a barbell, Calf Raises - With Bands, Calf Raise On A Dumbbell, and Dumbbell Seated One-Leg Calf Raise train the same muscle, and 7 of the catalogue's options for this muscle need no equipment.

Is the Barbell Seated Calf Raise suitable for beginners?

Yes, the Barbell Seated Calf Raise is rated beginner. Standing Dumbbell Calf Raise, Donkey Calf Raises, and Calf Raise On A Dumbbell are the progressions from here.

Where should the Barbell Seated Calf Raise go in a workout?

Late — the Barbell Seated Calf Raise is isolation work, so it follows your compounds. Supersetting it with Barbell Side Split Squat and Barbell Squat cuts session time without extra rest.

Similar exercises

Calf Press Machine Calf Press On The Leg Press Machine Machine Calf Raise On A Dumbbell Dumbbell Calf Raises - With Bands Resistance Bands Donkey Calf Raises Other Equipment Dumbbell Seated One-Leg Calf Raise Dumbbell