Strength Training · Bodybuilding
Leg Press Calf Raise
The leg press calf raise trains your calves by moving a leg-press platform through your ankles while your knees stay nearly straight.
- Beginner
- Isolation
- Moderate injury risk
- Rest 1 min
How to do it
- Sit with your hips and back against the pads.
- Place the balls of both feet securely on the platform’s lower edge, with your heels free.
- Press the platform away until your knees are slightly bent.
- Lower your heels toward you through a comfortable ankle range.
- Push through the balls of your feet to lift your heels as far as you comfortably can.
- Return your heels slowly to the lowered position.
Form cues
- Keep pressure across your forefoot.
- Pause briefly at the top.
- Keep your ankles from rolling outward.
Common mistakes
- Bouncing out of the bottomReverse direction smoothly rather than using a rebound to move the weight.
- Pumping the kneesKeep the knee angle unchanged so the movement comes from your ankles.
- Using too much weightReduce the load if you can only manage short, partial raises.
Safety
Your feet can slip off the platform if too little of your forefoot is supported, allowing the loaded carriage to drop. Excessive load or a forced stretch can strain your calf or Achilles tendon.
- Use only a machine whose instructions allow calf raises, with safety stops positioned to catch the carriage if your feet slip.
- Check that your shoes and the platform are dry and have secure traction.
- Test the setup with light resistance before adding weight.
- At the end of the set, secure the carriage on its stops before repositioning your feet.
If you have calf, Achilles tendon, or ankle pain, choose a pain-free unloaded version or get advice from a physiotherapist before adding resistance.
Muscles worked
Primary muscles
Equipment
- Leg Press / Calf Raise Machine
Sets and reps
- Sets
- 2–3
- Target
- 10–15 reps
- Rest
- 1 min
Finish each set with enough control to perform another two repetitions.