Standing Calf Raises
- Primary musclesCalves
- EquipmentMachine
- LevelBeginner
- ForcePush
AtletIQ — a workout log: working weight, sets and reps for your goal and level.
Calculate your weight in the app-
01Starting position -
02Final position
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01Starting position -
02Final position
Muscles worked
Primary muscles
What weight to use
Set your goal and fitness level — the AtletIQ app calculates the working weight and number of reps for "Standing Calf Raises".
- Working weight for your goal and fitness level
- Sets, reps and rest in your workout log
- Progress for every exercise
| Workout | Weight | Sets × reps |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 35.5 kg | 3 × 10 |
| 2 | 40 kg | 3 × 8 |
| 3 | 33 kg | 4 × 12 |
How to do it
5 stepsAdjust 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.
Caution: If you suffer from lower back problems, a better exercise is the calf press as during a standing calf raise the back has to support the weight being lifted. Also, maintain your back straight and stationary at all times. Rounding of the back can cause lower back injury.
Variations: There are several other ways to perform a standing calf raise. A barbell instead of a machine can be used instead as well as dumbbells, one leg or two legs at a time. Refer to the exercise descriptions of these movements below. A smith machine can be used for calf raises as well.
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AtletIQ app
A workout log with working weight calculation: program, sets and progress on your phone.