Lower Legs Exercises

Machine Seated Calf Raise

The seated calf raise exercise is one of the simplest and most effective calf workouts. Steps : 1.) Start off sitting at a calf raise machine, putting the balls of your feet on the footpad and your thighs under the leg pad above your knees as this will be your starting position.. 2.) Unlock the bar and slowly raise your toes up as high as possible, feeling a stretch in your calf muscles. 3.) Once you reach the top position, hold for a count then return back to the start. 4.) Repeat for as many reps and sets as desired.

Machine Calf Raise

The standing calf raise exercise uses a machine to target the lower calf muscles and is used by beginners for proper form. Steps : 1.) Start by standing up straight with your toes on the footpads of the machine and adjust your shoulder so that they are rested underneath the upper pads. 2.) Slowly raise up on the balls of your feet so that your heels are lifted off of the pad and hold this position for a count. 3.) Return back to the starting position and repeat for as many reps and sets as desired.

Calf Press On Leg Press

The calf press on a leg press exercise uses a leg press machine to help work and strengthen your calf muscles. Steps : 1.) Sit down on a Leg Press Machine and press the plate up as if you were performing a leg press. 2.) Slide your feet down so that the balls of your feet are pressing against the rack (with your heels hanging free), 3.) Keeping the handles locked, press up and flex your toes and then slowly bring your toes back towards your body (dorsiflex). 4.) Perform these movements slowly for maximum benefit. Tips : 1.) Use lighter weight on this exercise than you are able to lift with a leg press until you are familiar with the movements.

Dumbbell Calf Raise

Steps : 1.) Grasp dumbbell in one hand to side and position toes and balls of feet on calf block with arches and heels extending off. 2.) Place hand on support for balance. 3.) Raise heels by extending ankles as high as possible. 4.) Lower heels by bending ankles until calves are stretched. 5.) Repeat for the desired amount of reps and sets.

Barbell Standing Calf Raise

The standing barbell calf raise helps target the lower leg muscles and build stronger legs. Steps : 1.) Start of by placing a block or two free weight plates on the floor, then placing a weighted barbell across your back and step up so that the balls of your feet are on the block. 2.) Slowly lift your heels up off of the floor and then lower them back so that you feel as much of a stretch as possible in your calf muscles. 3.) Return to the starting position and repeat for as many reps and sets as desired.

Machine Calf Press

Steps : 1.) Start by sitting down on a leg press machine, placing the balls of your feet on the bottom of the platform in front of you with a narrow width spacing and selecting the weight you would like to perform. 2.) Slowly, using your calves, push against the platform so that you move backwards, feeling a stretch in your legs and hold for a count. 3.) Return back to the starting position. 4.) Repeat for as many reps and sets as desired.

Bodyweight Calf Raise

Steps : 1.) Start by setting up either a step or a block next to either a support structure or smith machine. 2.) Place the balls of your feet on the edge of the block/step and let your heels drop down towards the floor as far as possible. 3.) Then slowly raise your heels up as high as possible, squeezing your calves and hold for a count. 4.) Return back to the starting position. 5.) Repeat for as many reps and sets as desired.

Single-Leg Calf Raise

Steps : 1.) Start by standing to the side of either a smith machine or a support structure and holding onto it. 2.) Slowly lift one of your heels off of the floor as far as possible, keeping the other leg extended behind you, and squeeze your calf. 3.) Hold for a count and return back to the starting position. 4.) Repeat for as many reps and sets as desired.

Hack Calf Raise

Steps : 1.) Start by setting up a hack squat machine with the amount of weight that you would like to perform for this exercise, laying with your chest flat on the pad and shoulders rested underneath the shoulder pads. 2.) Stand on the platform and push the weight up off of the rack and hold onto the hand rests as this will be your starting position. 3.) While keeping your legs straight, slowly raise your heels up off of the floor as far as possible, squeezing your calves and hold for a count. 4.) Return back to the starting position. 5.) Repeat for as many reps and sets as desired.

Barbell Calf Raise

Steps : 1.) Begin by setting up a barbell with the amount of weight that you would like to use for this exercise and rest the barbell across the top of your upper back. 2.) Slowly lean forward and raise your heels up off of the floor, pushing up as high as possible squeezing your calves at the top of the movement. 3.) Hold for a two count then return back to the starting position. 4.) Repeat for as many reps and sets as desired.

Smith Machine Reverse Calf Raise

The smith machine reverse calf raises exercise is a unique workout that works the anterior muscle of the calf. Steps : 1.) Place a block or low box under the bar at a smith machine and standing on the edge of the box with your toes hanging off. 2.) Place the bar across your shoulders and lean forward lifting your ankles off the box, feeling a stretch in your calf muscles 3.) Return to the starting position. 4.) Repeat for as many reps and sets as desired.

Machine Single-Leg Calf Press

Steps : 1.) Start by setting up the leg press machine with the amount of weight that you would like to perform for this exercise. 2.) Sit down with your back flat on the padding behind you and placing one leg on the platform in front of you. 3.) Slowly lift the weight off of the rack and shift your foot down so that only the ball of your foot is rested at the very edge of the platform. 4.) Extend your heel down as far as possible, feeling a stretch and squeezing your calf, hold for a count then return back to the starting position. 5.) Return back to the starting position. 6.) Repeat for as many reps and sets as desired.

Dumbbell Seated Calf Raise

Steps : 1.) Start by sitting down on the end of a flat bench with a block or step positioned right in front of you, and hold a dumbbell on both of your legs. 2.) Dip your heels down towards the floor as far as possible as this will be your starting position. 3.) Keeping the dumbbells firmly pressed up against your knees, slowly raise your heels up off of the floor as far as possible squeezing your calves and hold for a count. 4.) Return back to the starting position. 5.) Repeat for as many reps and sets as desired.

Barbell Seated Calf Raise

The barbell seated calf raise is a version of the standard calf raise that uses a block and barbell. Steps : 1.) Start by placing a block on the floor about one foot in front of a bench. 2.) Rest a barbell across your upper thighs and then sit on the bench with the balls of your feet placed upon the block. 3.) While keeping the barbell rested across your thighs, slowly raise and lower your heels up as high as possible without lifting your foot off of the block. 4.) Repeat for as many reps and sets as desired.

Wall Calf Stretch

Steps : 1.) Begin by standing in front of a wall, about a few feet away, placing one foot in front of your body as you lean towards the wall. 2.) As you lean closer with your body, rest your hands up against the wall keeping your heels, hips and head in a straight line as well as feet flat on the floor. 3.) Extend forward until you feel a stretch in your calves and then hold for 15 to 30 seconds. 4.) Return to the starting position and repeat for as many reps, sets and however long you desire.

Smith Machine Single-Leg Calf Raise

Steps : 1.) Start off setting up a smith machine with the amount of weight that you would like to perform for this exercise and placing either a step or block underneath the bar. 2.) Position yourself underneath the bar so that the bar is racked on the top of your back muscles. 3.) Step up on the block or step with your right foot that the ball of your foot is rested upon the platform and keep your other leg extended behind you. 4.) Release the bar from the rack and slowly lower your heel down towards the floor, then elevate your heel up towards the ceiling as far as possible squeezing your calf. 5.) Hold for a count then return back to the starting position. 6.) Repeat for as many reps and sets as desired.

Donkey Calf Raise

This is and old school gym exercise which requires the assistance of another person. This is an advanced exercise and not recommended for beginners. The donkey calf raise exercise is an old school gym exercise that requires (at times) the assistance of another person and is an advanced exercise that targets the calf muscle. Steps : 1.) Start by bending at your waist and lean your arms against a weight rack or bench that is waist height. 2.) Have a partner sit on top of your lower back or place a weight plate on your back for resistance. 3.) Raise up on your toes leaning slightly forward until you feel a stretch in your calve muscles. 4.) Pause at the top and then lower your heels to the floor. 5.) Repeat for as many reps and sets as desired.

Knee Circles

The knee circles exercise is a simple exercise to improve flexibility in the legs and it's a great stretch. Steps : 1.) Start by standing up straight with your feet a little closer than shoulder width apart. 2.) Keeping your arms across your chest or on your hips, move both your knees in a circular motion, paying attention to keeping your feet flat on the floor and the movement in your ankles. Perform the movement clockwise then counter-clock wise. 3.) Repeat until you feel loosened up.