Smith Machine Calf Raise
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the calves, using a machine.
Starting position
End position
How to Do Smith Machine Calf Raise
- 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.
- Take the bar with both hands facing forward. Rotate the bar to unrack it. This will be your starting position.
- 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.
- Return slowly to the starting position as you breathe in while lowering your heels.
- Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Muscles Worked
Alternatives to Smith Machine 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
Calf Press On The Leg Press Machine
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the calves, using a machine.
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6
Seated Calf Raise
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the calves, using a machine.
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7
Smith Machine Reverse Calf Raises
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the calves, using a machine.
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8
Calf Raise On A Dumbbell
An intermediate isolation strength exercise that works the calves, using dumbbells.
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9
Standing Dumbbell Calf Raise
An intermediate isolation strength exercise that works the calves, using dumbbells.
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10
Calf Raises - With Bands
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the calves, using a resistance band.
Frequently Asked Questions
What muscles do smith machine calf raise work?
Smith Machine Calf Raise primarily works the calves.
What equipment do I need for smith machine calf raise?
Smith Machine Calf Raise uses machines.
Smith Machine Calf Raise: is it suitable for beginners?
Yes. Smith Machine 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 smith machine 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 smith machine calf raise reps automatically?
Not automatically yet. Fitnit's AI rep counting covers push-ups, squats, dumbbell curls, crunches and pull-ups today; smith machine 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 Smith Machine Calf Raise with AI
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