Calf raise

Gastrocnemius and soleus.

Calf raise: Bottom
Bottom
Calf raise: On tiptoe
On tiptoe
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How to do it

  1. On the standing calf machine (or on a step), rest only the balls of your feet.
  2. Lower your heels as far as you can to stretch.
  3. Rise onto your toes as high as possible.
  4. Hold for 1 s at the top and lower slowly.

Cues

  • Full range: stretched at the bottom, as high as possible at the top.
  • Pause at the top and bottom, no bouncing.
  • Knees straight but not locked.

Common mistakes

  • Bouncing at the bottom.
  • Half reps.
  • Bending your knees to help.

Photos: free-exercise-db (public domain).

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