Standing Calf Raise Machine
A standing calf raise under the shoulder pads of a dedicated machine, done with straight knees. It trains the gastrocnemius and soleus together and lets you load the calves far past bodyweight without balancing a bar or dumbbells.
Updated
Primary muscles: Calves. Equipment: Machine.
Muscles worked
Primary
Equipment
How to do it
- Step under the shoulder pads and place the balls of your feet on the edge of the block.
- Stand tall with straight knees and lift the weight off its rest.
- Lower your heels slowly into a full calf stretch.
- Pause for one count at the bottom.
- Press through the balls of your feet to raise the heels as high as possible.
- Hold the top briefly, then lower under control.
Watch for
- Bending the knees to bounce the weight up.
- Cutting the stretch short at the bottom.
- Ankles rolling outward at the top.
Breathing
Exhale as you rise, inhale as you lower.
Tip
Set the pad height so your knees are straight but not locked hard when you stand under it.
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