Seated Calf Raise

How to do the Seated Calf Raise

1. Sit on the machine and place your toes on the lower portion of the platform provided with the heels extending off. Choose the toe positioning of your choice (forward, in, or out) as per the beginning of this chapter.
2. Place your lower thighs under the lever pad, which will need to be adjusted according to the height of your thighs. Now place your hands on top of the lever pad in order to prevent it from slipping forward.
3. Lift the lever slightly by pushing your heels up and release the safety bar. This will be your starting position.
4. Slowly lower your heels by bending at the ankles until the calves are fully stretched. Inhale as you perform this movement.
5. Raise the heels by extending the ankles as high as possible as you contract the calves and breathe out. Hold the top contraction for a second.
6. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Muscles worked

Role	Muscles
Primary	calves
Equipment	machine
Difficulty	beginner
Type	isolation

No machine? 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

Harder than the Seated Calf Raise

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

Superset the Seated Calf Raise with

Opposing quads work — alternate sets without extra rest.

Leg Extensions quads Single-Leg Leg Extension quads Chair Squat quads Hack Squat quads

Common questions

What muscles does the Seated Calf Raise work?

The Seated Calf Raise 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 Seated Calf Raise?

A Machine. Without a machine, 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 Seated Calf Raise suitable for beginners?

Yes, the 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 Seated Calf Raise go in a workout?

Late — the Seated Calf Raise is isolation work, so it follows your compounds. Supersetting it with Leg Extensions and Single-Leg Leg Extension 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 Donkey Calf Raises Other Equipment