Standing Dumbbell Calf Raise

How to do the Standing Dumbbell Calf Raise

1. Stand with your torso upright holding two dumbbells in your hands by your sides. Place the ball of the foot on a sturdy and stable wooden board (that is around 2-3 inches tall) while your heels extend off and touch the floor. This will be your starting position.
2. With the toes pointing either straight (to hit all parts equally), inwards (for emphasis on the outer head) or outwards (for emphasis on the inner head), raise the heels off the floor as you exhale by contracting the calves. Hold the top contraction for a second.
3. As you inhale, go back to the starting position by slowly lowering the heels.
4. Repeat for the recommended amount of times.

Muscles worked

Role	Muscles
Primary	calves
Equipment	dumbbell
Difficulty	intermediate
Type	isolation

No dumbbell? Train the same muscles with these

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

Calf Raises - With Bands Resistance Bands Barbell Seated Calf Raise Barbell Rocking Standing Calf Raise Barbell Standing Barbell Calf Raise Barbell Calf Press Machine Calf Press On The Leg Press Machine Machine

Easier than the Standing Dumbbell Calf Raise

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 Standing Dumbbell Calf Raise with

Opposing quads work — alternate sets without extra rest.

Dumbbell Rear Lunge quads Dumbbell Squat To A Bench quads Dumbbell Step Ups quads Dumbbell Lunges quads

Common questions

What muscles does the Standing Dumbbell Calf Raise work?

The Standing Dumbbell 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 Standing Dumbbell Calf Raise?

Dumbbells. Without dumbbells, Calf Raises - With Bands, Barbell Seated Calf Raise, and Rocking Standing Calf Raise train the same muscle, and 7 of the catalogue's options for this muscle need no equipment.

Is the Standing Dumbbell Calf Raise 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 Standing Dumbbell Calf Raise go in a workout?

Late — the Standing Dumbbell Calf Raise is isolation work, so it follows your compounds. Supersetting it with Dumbbell Rear Lunge and Dumbbell Squat To A Bench 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