Donkey Calf Raises

How to do the Donkey Calf Raises

1. For this exercise you will need access to a donkey calf raise machine. Start by positioning your lower back and hips under the padded lever provided. The tailbone area should be the one making contact with the pad.
2. Place both of your arms on the side handles and place the balls of your feet on the calf block with the heels extending off. Align the toes forward, inward or outward, depending on the area you wish to target, and straighten the knees without locking them. This will be your starting position.
3. Raise your heels as you breathe out by extending your ankles as high as possible and flexing your calf. Ensure that the knee is kept stationary at all times. There should be no bending at any time. Hold the contracted position by a second before you start to go back down.
4. Go back slowly to the starting position as you breathe in by lowering your heels as you bend the ankles until calves are stretched.
5. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Muscles worked

Role	Muscles
Primary	calves
Equipment	other equipment
Difficulty	intermediate
Type	isolation

No other equipment? 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 Barbell Seated Calf Raise Barbell Rocking Standing Calf Raise Barbell

Easier than the Donkey Calf Raises

Same movement pattern, lower entry difficulty — work up from here.

Barbell Seated Calf Raise beginner · Barbell Calf Press beginner · Machine Calf Press On The Leg Press Machine beginner · Machine

Superset the Donkey Calf Raises with

Opposing quads work — alternate sets without extra rest.

Suspended Split Squat quads Weighted Squat quads Single-Leg High Box Squat quads Trap Bar Deadlift quads

Common questions

What muscles does the Donkey Calf Raises work?

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

What equipment do you need for the Donkey Calf Raises?

The Right Equipment. Without the right equipment, 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 Donkey Calf Raises suitable for beginners?

It is rated intermediate. Start with Barbell Seated Calf Raise, Calf Press, and Calf Press On The Leg Press Machine and work up.

Where should the Donkey Calf Raises go in a workout?

Late — the Donkey Calf Raises is isolation work, so it follows your compounds. Supersetting it with Suspended Split Squat and Weighted Squat cuts session time without extra rest.

Similar exercises

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