Seated Barbell Calf Raise — start position
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Seated Barbell Calf Raise — end position
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Calves / Beginner / Isolation (single joint)

Seated Barbell Calf Raise

A seated calf raise with a barbell resting across the knees, targeting the soleus.

At a glance

Primary
Calves
Equipment
Barbell, Bench
Movement pattern
Ankle push-off (plantar flexion)
Level
Beginner
Type
Calves, Isolation (single joint)

How to do it

  1. Sit on a bench with the balls of your feet on a block and a barbell (padded) across your lower thighs.
  2. Let your heels drop below the block for a stretch.
  3. Raise your heels as high as possible.
  4. Pause, then lower slowly.

Tips

  • Use a pad or towel under the bar.
  • Use a full range of motion.

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Muscles worked

Neck (Front)Upper traps (Front)Front delts (Front)Side delts (Front)Chest (Front)Serratus anterior (Front)Biceps (Front)Forearms & grip (Front)Abs (Front)Obliques (Front)Hip flexors (Front)Quads (Front)Adductors (Front)Shins (tibialis) (Front)Calves — primary (Front)Outer shins (peroneals) (Front)Feet (arch & toes) (Front)Neck (Back)Upper traps (Back)Upper back (rhomboids, mid/lower traps) (Back)Rear delts (Back)Side delts (Back)Rotator cuff (Back)Lats (Back)Lower back (erectors) (Back)Triceps (Back)Forearms & grip (Back)Hip abductors (glute med) (Back)Glutes (Back)Hamstrings (Back)Adductors (Back)Calves — primary (Back)
FrontBack
  • Primary: Calves

Best for

How specific this exercise is to each movement.

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Illustration: Everkinetic (everkinetic.com), CC BY-SA 4.0.