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Exercise guide

Standing Calf Raises

How to do the Standing Calf Raises 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 Standing Calf Raises

  1. 1

    Adjust the padded lever of the calf raise machine to fit your height.

  2. 2

    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.

  3. 3

    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.

  4. 4

    Go back slowly to the starting position as you breathe in by lowering your heels as you bend the ankles until calves are stretched.

  5. 5

    Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

In Ascend

Log it, see it on your body.

Every Standing Calf Raises 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

Standing Calf Raises: common questions

What muscles does the Standing Calf Raises work?

The Standing Calf Raises primarily works the Calves.

Is the Standing Calf Raises suitable for beginners?

Yes. The Standing Calf Raises 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 Standing Calf Raises?

To do the Standing Calf Raises you'll need a weight machine.

Is the Standing Calf Raises a compound or isolation exercise?

The Standing Calf Raises 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 Standing Calf Raises with correct form?

Adjust the padded lever of the calf raise machine to fit your height. Follow the full step-by-step above for the complete movement.

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