Smith Machine Calf Raise

How to do the Smith Machine Calf Raise

1. Place a block or weight plate below the bar on the Smith machine. Set the bar to a position that best matches your height. Once the correct height is chosen and the bar is loaded, step onto the plates with the balls of your feet and place the bar on the back of your shoulders.
2. Take the bar with both hands facing forward. Rotate the bar to unrack it. This will be your starting position.
3. Raise your heels as high as possible by pushing off of the balls of your feet, flexing your calf at the top of the contraction. Your knees should remain extended. Hold the contracted position for a second before you start to go back down.
4. Return slowly to the starting position as you breathe in while lowering your heels.
5. 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 Smith Machine Calf Raise

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

Superset the Smith Machine 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 Smith Machine Calf Raise work?

The Smith Machine 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 Smith Machine 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 Smith Machine Calf Raise suitable for beginners?

Yes, the Smith Machine 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 Smith Machine Calf Raise go in a workout?

Late — the Smith Machine 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