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Exercise guide

Seated Calf Raise

How to do the Seated Calf Raise with correct form, the muscles it works, and where it fits a training plan you actually stick to.

IsolationMachineBeginnerPush
Primary muscles

Calves

Secondary

,

Equipment

Machine

Step by step

How to do the Seated Calf Raise

  1. 1

    Sit on the machine and place your toes on the lower portion of the platform provided with the heels extending off. Choose the toe positioning of your choice (forward, in, or out) as per the beginning of this chapter.

  2. 2

    Place your lower thighs under the lever pad, which will need to be adjusted according to the height of your thighs. Now place your hands on top of the lever pad in order to prevent it from slipping forward.

  3. 3

    Lift the lever slightly by pushing your heels up and release the safety bar. This will be your starting position.

  4. 4

    Slowly lower your heels by bending at the ankles until the calves are fully stretched. Inhale as you perform this movement.

  5. 5

    Raise the heels by extending the ankles as high as possible as you contract the calves and breathe out. Hold the top contraction for a second.

  6. 6

    Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

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Log it, see it on your body.

Every Seated Calf Raise set you log feeds Ascend's anatomy heatmap, so your calves volume is visible at a glance, and counts toward your bodyweight-strength tier.

Related

More calves exercises

FAQ

Seated Calf Raise: common questions

What muscles does the Seated Calf Raise work?

The Seated Calf Raise primarily works the Calves.

Is the Seated Calf Raise suitable for beginners?

Yes. The Seated Calf Raise is a beginner-level exercise, so it's a solid choice if you're new to training. Start light and focus on the movement pattern before adding load.

What equipment do I need for the Seated Calf Raise?

To do the Seated Calf Raise you'll need a weight machine.

Is the Seated Calf Raise a compound or isolation exercise?

The Seated Calf Raise is an isolation exercise, it targets the calves through a single joint, which makes it useful for focused, targeted work.

How do I do the Seated Calf Raise with correct form?

Sit on the machine and place your toes on the lower portion of the platform provided with the heels extending off. Choose the toe positioning of your choice (forward, in, or out) as per the beginning of this chapter. Follow the full step-by-step above for the complete movement.

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