Standing Dumbbell Calf Raise

An intermediate isolation strength exercise that works the calves, using dumbbells.

Standing Dumbbell Calf Raise — Starting position Starting position
Standing Dumbbell Calf Raise — End position End position
Difficulty Intermediate
Type Strength
Equipment Dumbbells
Primary Muscle Calves
AI Rep Counting Log manually

How to Do 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

Front
Back

Primary

Where Standing Dumbbell Calf Raise does most of its work.

Alternatives to Standing Dumbbell 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.

  1. 1 Calf Raise On A Dumbbell

    Calf Raise On A Dumbbell

    An intermediate isolation strength exercise that works the calves, using dumbbells.

    intermediate Dumbbells
  2. 2 Barbell Seated Calf Raise

    Barbell Seated Calf Raise

    A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the calves, using a barbell.

    beginner Barbell
  3. 3 Rocking Standing Calf Raise

    Rocking Standing Calf Raise

    A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the calves, using a barbell.

    beginner Barbell
  4. 4 Seated Calf Raise

    Seated Calf Raise

    A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the calves, using a machine.

    beginner Machines
  5. 5 Smith Machine Calf Raise

    Smith Machine Calf Raise

    A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the calves, using a machine.

    beginner Machines
  6. 6 Standing Barbell Calf Raise

    Standing Barbell Calf Raise

    A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the calves, using a barbell.

    beginner Barbell
  7. 7 Standing Calf Raises

    Standing Calf Raises

    A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the calves, using a machine.

    beginner Machines
  8. 8 Donkey Calf Raises

    Donkey Calf Raises

    An intermediate isolation strength exercise that works the calves.

    intermediate Not specified
  9. 9 Dumbbell Seated One-Leg Calf Raise

    Dumbbell Seated One-Leg Calf Raise

    A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the calves, using dumbbells.

    beginner Dumbbells
  10. 10 Calf Press

    Calf Press

    A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the calves, using a machine.

    beginner Machines

Frequently Asked Questions

What muscles do standing dumbbell calf raise work?

Standing Dumbbell Calf Raise primarily works the calves.

What equipment do I need for standing dumbbell calf raise?

Standing Dumbbell Calf Raise uses dumbbells.

Standing Dumbbell Calf Raise: is it suitable for beginners?

Standing Dumbbell Calf Raise is rated intermediate. Movements that assume you already own the basic pattern and are ready to load it.

What can I do instead of standing dumbbell calf raise?

Calf Raise On A Dumbbell, Barbell Seated Calf Raise, Rocking Standing Calf Raise train the same primary muscles and are listed with 7 more alternatives above.

Can Fitnit count my standing dumbbell calf raise reps automatically?

Not automatically yet. Fitnit's AI rep counting covers push-ups, squats, dumbbell curls, crunches and pull-ups today; standing dumbbell 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 Standing Dumbbell Calf Raise with AI

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