Smith Machine Reverse Calf Raises
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the calves, using a machine.
Starting position
End position
How to Do Smith Machine Reverse Calf Raises
- Adjust the barbell on the smith machine to fit your height and align a raised platform right under the bar.
- Stand on the platform with the heels of your feet secured on top of it with the balls of your feet extending off it. Position your toes facing forward with a shoulder width stance.
- Now, place your shoulders under the barbell while maintaining the foot positioning described and push the barbell up by extending your hips and knees until your torso is standing erect. The knees should be kept with a slight bend; never locked. This will be your starting position. Tip: The barbell on your back is only for balance purposes.
- Raise the balls of your feet as you breathe out by extending your toes as high as possible and flexing your calf. Ensure that the knee is kept stationary at all times. There should be no bending at any time. Hold the contracted position for a second before you start to go back down.
- Slowly go back down to the starting position as you breathe in by lowering the balls of your feet and toes.
- Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Muscles Worked
Alternatives to Smith Machine Reverse Calf Raises
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
Calf Raises - With Bands
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the calves, using a resistance band.
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2
Calf Press On The Leg Press Machine
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the calves, using a machine.
-
3
Smith Machine Calf Raise
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the calves, using a machine.
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4
Standing Calf Raises
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the calves, using a machine.
-
5
Donkey Calf Raises
An intermediate isolation strength exercise that works the calves.
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6
Barbell Seated Calf Raise
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the calves, using a barbell.
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7
Dumbbell Seated One-Leg Calf Raise
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the calves, using dumbbells.
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8
Rocking Standing Calf Raise
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the calves, using a barbell.
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9
Standing Barbell Calf Raise
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the calves, using a barbell.
-
10
Calf Press
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the calves, using a machine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What muscles do smith machine reverse calf raises work?
Smith Machine Reverse Calf Raises primarily works the calves.
What equipment do I need for smith machine reverse calf raises?
Smith Machine Reverse Calf Raises uses machines.
Smith Machine Reverse Calf Raises: is it suitable for beginners?
Yes. Smith Machine Reverse Calf Raises 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 reverse calf raises?
Calf Raises - With Bands, Calf Press On The Leg Press Machine, Smith Machine Calf Raise train the same primary muscles and are listed with 7 more alternatives above.
Can Fitnit count my smith machine reverse calf raises reps automatically?
Not automatically yet. Fitnit's AI rep counting covers push-ups, squats, dumbbell curls, crunches and pull-ups today; smith machine reverse calf raises 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 Reverse Calf Raises with AI
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