How to do a Seated Machine Calf Press
Reviewed by Jim Parker, CPT, B.A. Kinesiology
About Seated Machine Calf Press
Calf Raise Machine
Workouts with Seated Machine Calf Press
Target muscles worked
Instructions for Proper Form
This exercise is a variation on the more common calf raise. Like the standard calf raise this isolation exercise primarily targets the calves. The use of a machine adds stability to the movement, as well as gives you more control over your resistance. It’s an effective exercise for building muscle mass and developing strength in your calves.
- Sit upright in a calf raise machine with the pad resting on your thighs just above your knees.
- Place your forefoot onto the lower bar allowing your heels to drop towards the floor.
- Grab ahold of the support handles.
- Press your forefoot through the bar to extend your ankles and raise your heels.
- Once your ankles have completely extended, return to the starting position.
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Alternative Exercises to Seated Machine Calf Press
1. Standing Machine Calf Press
80.3 mSCORESWAPPED 6,939 TIMESThis exercise is a variation on the more common calf raise. Like the standard calf raise this isolation exercise primarily targets the calves. The use of a machine gives you more control over your resistance, allowing you to better control the weight you’re moving. It’s an effective exercise for building muscle mass and developing strength in your calves.
- Intermediate
- Calves
- Calf Raise Machine
2. Seated Machine Calf Press
92.7 mSCORESWAPPED 6,487 TIMESThis exercise is a variation on the more common calf raise. Like the standard calf raise this isolation exercise primarily targets the calves. The use of a machine adds stability to the movement, as well as gives you more control over your resistance. It’s an effective exercise for building muscle mass and developing strength in your calves.
- Beginner
- Calves
- Calf Raise Machine
3. Calf Press
91.6 mSCORESWAPPED 6,290 TIMESThis exercise is a variation on the more common calf raise. Like the standard calf raise this isolation exercise primarily targets the calves. The use of a machine adds stability to the movement, as well as gives you more control over your resistance. It’s an effective exercise for building muscle mass and developing strength in your calves.
- Beginner
- Calves
- Leg Press
4. Standing Dumbbell Calf Raise
83.1 mSCORESWAPPED 3,054 TIMESStanding Dumbbell Calf Raise is a weighted variation on the more standard Calf Raise. Like other variations, this is an isolation exercise that primarily targets your calves. Adding dumbbells allows you to add significantly more resistance than simply relying on bodyweight.
5. Standing Barbell Calf Raise
87.1 mSCORESWAPPED 2,670 TIMESThis exercise is a barbell variation of the standard calf raise. Like the standard variation, this exercise primarily targets your calves. The use of a barbell allows you to increase the resistance for this exercise beyond just your bodyweight.
6. Smith Machine Calf Raise
77.6 mSCORESWAPPED 2,493 TIMESThis exercise is a Smith Machine variation of the standard calf raise. Like the standard version, this exercise primarily targets the calves. The use of a Smith Machine allows to increase resistance beyond just your bodyweight.
- Beginner
- Calves
- Smith Machine
7. Calf Raise
75 mSCORESWAPPED 2,349 TIMESThis bodyweight isolation exercise primarily targets the calves. It’s an effective exercise for developing muscle mass and increasing strength in your calf, and can be easily modified through a number of different variations.
- Beginner
- Calves
8. Seated Dumbbell Calf Raise
73.7 mSCORESWAPPED 1,979 TIMESSeated Dumbbell Calf Raise is a variation on the more standard Calf Raise. By performing this exercise from a seated position, you add significantly more stability to the movement. This allows you to focus on exertion rather than stability. By using a dumbbell on each leg, you ensure that you aren’t compensating for any lack of strength between sides.
9. Standing Machine Calf Raise
75.1 mSCORESWAPPED 1,514 TIMESThis exercise is a variation on the more common calf raise. Like the standard calf raise this isolation exercise primarily targets the calves. The use of a machine adds stability to the movement, as well as gives you more control over your resistance. It’s an effective exercise for building muscle mass and developing strength in your calves.
- Beginner
- Calves
- Calf Raise Machine
10. Single Leg Standing Calf Raise
72 mSCORESWAPPED 1,367 TIMESThis exercise is a unilateral variation of the standard calf raise. Like the standard version this exercise primarily targets your calves. However, by performing this exercise one leg at a time, you add instability to the movement which can better recruit smaller stabilizing muscles, as well as help you identify and address imbalances between sides.
- Beginner
- Calves