Seated Calf Raise
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the calves, using a machine.
Starting position
End position
How to Do Seated Calf Raise
- 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.
- 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.
- Lift the lever slightly by pushing your heels up and release the safety bar. This will be your starting position.
- Slowly lower your heels by bending at the ankles until the calves are fully stretched. Inhale as you perform this movement.
- 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.
- Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Muscles Worked
Alternatives to Seated Calf Raise
10 movements that train the same primary muscle, closest substitutes first — same kind of training, then variations of the movement itself, then a similar difficulty.
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1
Barbell Seated Calf Raise
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the calves, using a barbell.
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2
Dumbbell Seated One-Leg Calf Raise
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the calves, using dumbbells.
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3
Rocking Standing Calf Raise
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the calves, using a barbell.
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4
Standing Barbell Calf Raise
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the calves, using a barbell.
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5
Smith Machine Calf Raise
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the calves, using a machine.
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6
Calf Raise On A Dumbbell
An intermediate isolation strength exercise that works the calves, using dumbbells.
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7
Standing Dumbbell Calf Raise
An intermediate isolation strength exercise that works the calves, using dumbbells.
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8
Calf Raises - With Bands
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the calves, using a resistance band.
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9
Calf Press
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the calves, using a machine.
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10
Calf Press On The Leg Press Machine
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the calves, using a machine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What muscles do seated calf raise work?
Seated Calf Raise primarily works the calves.
What equipment do I need for seated calf raise?
Seated Calf Raise uses machines.
Seated Calf Raise: is it suitable for beginners?
Yes. Seated Calf Raise is rated beginner. Movements you can learn in a session, with a low skill floor and a forgiving failure mode.
What can I do instead of seated calf raise?
Barbell Seated Calf Raise, Dumbbell Seated One-Leg Calf Raise, Rocking Standing Calf Raise train the same primary muscles and are listed with 7 more alternatives above.
Can Fitnit count my seated calf raise reps automatically?
Not automatically yet. Fitnit's AI rep counting covers push-ups, squats, dumbbell curls, crunches and pull-ups today; seated calf raise can be logged manually in the app, and tracked movements are added over time.
Photographs and step-by-step instructions from free-exercise-db, a public-domain exercise dataset. Muscle mapping and alternatives by Fitnit.
Track Your Seated Calf Raise with AI
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