Calf Raise - One Leg Standing

Recommendations: 2-3 Sets, 15-20 Reps, 80 Wght

Beginner Calves Strength Standing Calf Raise Machine Push Gym

Purpose: This exercise works the calf muscle, specifically the gastrocnemius.

Benefits: This exercise is one of the few that works primarily the gastrocnemius and the upper calf.

Adjust the shoulder pads on a calf machine to suit your height. Stand in the machine with the pads on your shoulders. The ball of your right foot should be on the foot rest with the heel extending behind and in a negative position (heel lower than your toes). Straighten your leg. This is the starting position. Raise your right heel with an explosive movement, and squeeze your calf muscles. Exhale during this movement. Pause briefly at the top. Slowly return to the starting position by lowering your heel to the negative position. You should feel a good stretch in your calves. Inhale during this movement. Repeat for the recommended number of repetitions. Stand in the machine with the pads on your shoulders. The ball of your left foot should be on the foot rest with the heel extending behind and in a negative position (heel lower than your toes). Straighten your leg. This is the starting position. Raise your left heel with an explosive movement, and squeeze your calf muscles. Exhale during this movement. Pause briefly at the top. Slowly return to the starting position by lowering your heel to the negative position. You should feel a good stretch in your calves. Inhale during this movement. Repeat for the recommended number of repetitions.


The calf consists of 2 major muscles (gastrocnemius and soleus). There are also a number of tendons, such as the Achilles tendon. Seated calf raises focus mainly on the soleus and the tendons in the lower calf.

Step 1

Stand in a calf raise machine, pads on shoulders, right foot on foot block with negative heels, straight leg.

calf-raise-one-leg-standing-step-0

Adjust the shoulder pads on a calf machine to suit your height. Stand in the machine with the pads on your shoulders. The ball of your right foot should be on the foot rest with the heel extending behind and in a negative position (heel lower than your toes). Straighten your leg. This is the starting position.

Step 2

Raise your right heel with an explosive movement, and squeeze your calf muscles. Pause briefly at the top.

calf-raise-one-leg-standing-step-1

Raise your right heel with an explosive movement, and squeeze your calf muscles. Exhale during this movement. Pause briefly at the top.

Step 3

Slowly return to the starting position by lowering your heel to the negative position. You should feel a good stretch in your calves

calf-raise-one-leg-standing-step-2

Slowly return to the starting position by lowering your heel to the negative position. You should feel a good stretch in your calves. Inhale during this movement. Repeat as required.

Step 4

Stand in a calf raise machine, pads on shoulders, left foot on foot block with negative heels, straight leg.

calf-raise-one-leg-standing-step-3

Stand in the machine with the pads on your shoulders. The ball of your left foot should be on the foot rest with the heel extending behind and in a negative position (heel lower than your toes). Straighten your leg. This is the starting position.

Step 5

Raise your left heel with an explosive movement, and squeeze your calf muscles. Pause briefly at the top.

calf-raise-one-leg-standing-step-4

Raise your left heel with an explosive movement, and squeeze your calf muscles. Exhale during this movement. Pause briefly at the top.

Step 6

Slowly return to the starting position by lowering your heel to the negative position. You should feel a good stretch in your calves

calf-raise-one-leg-standing-step-5

Slowly return to the starting position by lowering your heel to the negative position. You should feel a good stretch in your calves. Inhale during this movement. Repeat as required.