Standing Calf Raises
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the calves, using a machine.
Starting position
End position
How to Do Standing Calf Raises
- Adjust the padded lever of the calf raise machine to fit your height.
- Place your shoulders under the pads provided and position your toes facing forward (or using any of the two other positions described at the beginning of the chapter). The balls of your feet should be secured on top of the calf block with the heels extending off it. Push the lever up by extending your hips and knees until your torso is standing erect. The knees should be kept with a slight bend; never locked. Toes should be facing forward, outwards or inwards as described at the beginning of the chapter. This will be your starting position.
- Raise your heels as you breathe out by extending your ankles 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 by a second before you start to go back down.
- Go back slowly to the starting position as you breathe in by lowering your heels as you bend the ankles until calves are stretched.
- Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Muscles Worked
Alternatives to Standing 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
Rocking Standing Calf Raise
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the calves, using a barbell.
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3
Standing Barbell Calf Raise
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the calves, using a barbell.
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4
Smith Machine Reverse Calf Raises
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the calves, using a machine.
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5
Donkey Calf Raises
An intermediate isolation strength exercise that works the calves.
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6
Standing Dumbbell Calf Raise
An intermediate isolation strength exercise that works the calves, using dumbbells.
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7
Barbell Seated Calf Raise
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the calves, using a barbell.
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8
Dumbbell Seated One-Leg Calf Raise
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the calves, using dumbbells.
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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 standing calf raises work?
Standing Calf Raises primarily works the calves.
What equipment do I need for standing calf raises?
Standing Calf Raises uses machines.
Standing Calf Raises: is it suitable for beginners?
Yes. Standing 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 standing calf raises?
Calf Raises - With Bands, Rocking Standing Calf Raise, Standing Barbell Calf Raise train the same primary muscles and are listed with 7 more alternatives above.
Can Fitnit count my standing calf raises reps automatically?
Not automatically yet. Fitnit's AI rep counting covers push-ups, squats, dumbbell curls, crunches and pull-ups today; standing 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 Standing Calf Raises with AI
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