Best Beginner Calves Workouts

About

Beginner exercises are designed to prioritize simplicity, utilizing accessible equipment and focusing on movements with a reduced risk of injury.

Typically, they are suitable for individuals with less than one year of training experience, though they can still provide an effective challenge regardless of one's fitness level.

Calf muscles, located at the back of the lower leg, play a crucial role in plantar flexion and are engaged in various lower body motions.

Isolating these muscles using calf raise variations effectively strengthens and develops their functionality and endurance.

The 15 Best Beginner Calves Exercises

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Ranked based on Fitbod's internal data set of the most effective exercises. Learn More

  • 1. Seated Machine Calf Press

    SETS LOGGED
    1,278,080
    Calves Strength
    95 mScore
    Calves
    Photo of Calf Raise Machine
    Calf Raise Machine

    The Seated Machine Calf Press is an exercise that targets the calf muscles using a machine for stability. It helps build muscle strength in your calves effectively and safely.

    How to do it

    The Seated Machine Calf Press is an exercise that targets the calf muscles using a machine for stability. It helps build muscle strength in your calves effectively and safely.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    70lbs
    2
    8reps
    70lbs
    3
    8reps
    70lbs
  • 2. Standing Barbell Calf Raise

    SETS LOGGED
    809,819
    Calves Strength
    94 mScore
    Calves
    Photo of Barbells
    Barbells

    The Standing Barbell Calf Raise is a calf exercise that uses a barbell for added weight. It focuses on strengthening your calves and can be more challenging than regular calf raises since you can lift more weight.

    How to do it

    The Standing Barbell Calf Raise is a calf exercise that uses a barbell for added weight. It focuses on strengthening your calves and can be more challenging than regular calf raises since you can lift more weight.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    70lbs
    2
    8reps
    70lbs
    3
    8reps
    70lbs
  • 3. Single Leg Standing Calf Raise

    SETS LOGGED
    237,549
    Calves Strength
    89 mScore
    Calves

    The Single Leg Standing Calf Raise strengthens your calves while improving balance and stability. By working one leg at a time, it helps correct muscle imbalances and engages smaller supporting muscles.

    How to do it

    The Single Leg Standing Calf Raise strengthens your calves while improving balance and stability. By working one leg at a time, it helps correct muscle imbalances and engages smaller supporting muscles.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    6reps
    2
    6reps
    3
    6reps
  • 4. Calf Press

    SETS LOGGED
    1,142,270
    Calves Strength
    97 mScore
    Calves
    Photo of Leg Press
    Leg Press

    The Calf Press is a targeted exercise that strengthens your calf muscles using a leg press machine for added stability. It helps you gain muscle and improve overall calf strength with controlled resistance.

    How to do it

    The Calf Press is a targeted exercise that strengthens your calf muscles using a leg press machine for added stability. It helps you gain muscle and improve overall calf strength with controlled resistance.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    105lbs
    2
    8reps
    105lbs
    3
    8reps
    105lbs
  • 5. Smith Machine Calf Raise

    SETS LOGGED
    410,876
    Calves Strength
    91 mScore
    Calves
    Photo of Smith Machine
    Smith Machine

    The Smith Machine Calf Raise is a strength exercise that targets the calves using a Smith Machine. It allows you to lift more weight than just your bodyweight by providing stability and support during the movement.

    How to do it

    The Smith Machine Calf Raise is a strength exercise that targets the calves using a Smith Machine. It allows you to lift more weight than just your bodyweight by providing stability and support during the movement.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    80lbs
    2
    8reps
    80lbs
    3
    8reps
    80lbs
  • 6. Calf Raise

    SETS LOGGED
    1,350,141
    Calves Strength
    92 mScore
    Calves

    The calf raise is a simple exercise that focuses on strengthening your calf muscles. It can help build muscle and improve your balance, making it great for beginners.

    How to do it

    The calf raise is a simple exercise that focuses on strengthening your calf muscles. It can help build muscle and improve your balance, making it great for beginners.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    9reps
    2
    9reps
    3
    9reps
  • 7. Standing Dumbbell Calf Raise

    SETS LOGGED
    370,742
    Calves Strength
    96 mScore
    Calves
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells

    The Standing Dumbbell Calf Raise is a strengthening exercise that focuses on your calf muscles. By using dumbbells, you can increase resistance to make your calves work harder than with just your bodyweight.

    How to do it

    The Standing Dumbbell Calf Raise is a strengthening exercise that focuses on your calf muscles. By using dumbbells, you can increase resistance to make your calves work harder than with just your bodyweight.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    20lbs
    2
    8reps
    20lbs
    3
    8reps
    20lbs
  • 8. Barbell Seated Calf Raise

    SETS LOGGED
    84,448
    Calves Strength
    92 mScore
    Calves
    Photo of Flat Bench
    Flat Bench
    Photo of Barbells
    Barbells

    The Barbell Seated Calf Raise is a simple exercise that targets your calf muscles. By sitting while you perform this movement, you can focus better on working your calves without worrying about balance.

    How to do it

    The Barbell Seated Calf Raise is a simple exercise that targets your calf muscles. By sitting while you perform this movement, you can focus better on working your calves without worrying about balance.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    55lbs
    2
    8reps
    55lbs
    3
    8reps
    55lbs
  • 9. Seated Dumbbell Calf Raise

    SETS LOGGED
    185,712
    Calves Strength
    95 mScore
    Calves
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells
    Photo of Flat Bench
    Flat Bench

    The Seated Dumbbell Calf Raise is an exercise that targets your calf muscles while seated for better stability. Using dumbbells on each leg helps ensure equal strength development between both sides.

    How to do it

    The Seated Dumbbell Calf Raise is an exercise that targets your calf muscles while seated for better stability. Using dumbbells on each leg helps ensure equal strength development between both sides.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    20lbs
    2
    8reps
    20lbs
    3
    8reps
    20lbs
  • 10. Seated Dumbbell One-Leg Calf Raise

    SETS LOGGED
    91,345
    Calves Strength
    93 mScore
    Calves
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells
    Photo of Flat Bench
    Flat Bench

    The Seated Dumbbell One-Leg Calf Raise is a simple exercise that targets your calf muscles. By sitting down, you add stability and can focus more on the movement. This exercise is done one leg at a time, allowing for extra rest for the opposite leg.

    How to do it

    The Seated Dumbbell One-Leg Calf Raise is a simple exercise that targets your calf muscles. By sitting down, you add stability and can focus more on the movement. This exercise is done one leg at a time, allowing for extra rest for the opposite leg.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    22.5lbs
    2
    8reps
    22.5lbs
    3
    8reps
    22.5lbs
  • 11. Standing Kettlebell Calf Raise

    SETS LOGGED
    64,194
    Calves Strength
    93 mScore
    Calves
    Photo of Kettlebells
    Kettlebells

    The Standing Kettlebell Calf Raise is an exercise that strengthens your calves while using kettlebells for added weight. By standing on an elevated surface, you can achieve a greater stretch and improve muscle activation in your calves.

    How to do it

    The Standing Kettlebell Calf Raise is an exercise that strengthens your calves while using kettlebells for added weight. By standing on an elevated surface, you can achieve a greater stretch and improve muscle activation in your calves.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    22.5lbs
    2
    8reps
    22.5lbs
    3
    8reps
    22.5lbs
  • 12. Calf Raise to Shrug

    SETS LOGGED
    13,414
    Calves Strength
    80 mScore
    Calves
    Photo of Barbells
    Barbells

    The Calf Raise to Shrug is an exercise that strengthens your calves and traps by combining a calf raise and a shoulder shrug. It's great for developing explosive power and can help with Olympic lifting techniques.

    How to do it

    The Calf Raise to Shrug is an exercise that strengthens your calves and traps by combining a calf raise and a shoulder shrug. It's great for developing explosive power and can help with Olympic lifting techniques.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    70lbs
    2
    8reps
    70lbs
    3
    8reps
    70lbs
  • 13. Dumbbell Calf Raise to Shrug

    SETS LOGGED
    30,191
    Calves Strength
    84 mScore
    Calves
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells

    The Dumbbell Calf Raise to Shrug works your calves, shoulders, and upper back in one move. You will raise your heels while lifting your shoulders, improving both strength and posture.

    How to do it

    The Dumbbell Calf Raise to Shrug works your calves, shoulders, and upper back in one move. You will raise your heels while lifting your shoulders, improving both strength and posture.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    22.5lbs
    2
    8reps
    22.5lbs
    3
    8reps
    22.5lbs
  • 14. Smith Machine Reverse Calf Raises

    SETS LOGGED
    26,522
    Calves Strength
    79 mScore
    Calves
    Photo of Smith Machine
    Smith Machine

    The Smith Machine Reverse Calf Raise targets your calf muscles and helps improve strength and muscle growth. By standing on a raised surface, you can move your ankles through a larger range of motion.

    How to do it

    The Smith Machine Reverse Calf Raise targets your calf muscles and helps improve strength and muscle growth. By standing on a raised surface, you can move your ankles through a larger range of motion.

  • 15. TRX Calf Raise

    SETS LOGGED
    44,317
    Calves Strength
    72 mScore
    Calves
    Photo of TRX
    TRX

    The TRX Calf Raise is a calf-strengthening exercise that uses a TRX strap for added stability. It lets you lean forward, increasing your range of motion and effectively activating your calf muscles.

    How to do it

    The TRX Calf Raise is a calf-strengthening exercise that uses a TRX strap for added stability. It lets you lean forward, increasing your range of motion and effectively activating your calf muscles.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    2
    8reps
    3
    8reps

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Best Beginner Calves Workouts | Fitbod Workout Generator