Legs · Isolation Exercise
Standing Calf Raise
The Standing Calf Raise is an isolation exercise that primarily trains the Calves. Here is how to perform it with good form, the muscles it works, and how to program it.
Isolation
Machine / Bodyweight / Dumbbell
Beginner
Muscles worked
Calves — primary
How to perform the Standing Calf Raise
1
Set up
Ball of foot on the edge, full stretch at the bottom.
2
Execute
Drive to full plantar flexion — get on tip-toe.
3
Form check
Pause at the top for 1 second, lower slowly.
How to program it
2–3 sets × 10–15 reps · 0–1 reps in reserve · 60–90 s rest
Progress by adding a rep or a little load each week, keeping the reps in reserve shown above.
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