Calf raises

Calf raises are a method of exercising the triceps surae (gastrocnemius and soleus), tibialis posterior, and peroneal muscles of the lower leg.

Using bodyweight, one leg could be draped across the other (through external rotation) to exercise unilaterally and double the weight lifted.

[1] Due to the discomfort of higher weights on a bar, barbells used for seated calf raises are frequently padded or wrapped in a towel.

There are also seated calf raise machines designed using levers that have pads built into them to protect the patella, quadriceps and tendons.

They are frequently done on a raised surface with the heel lower than the toes to allow a greater stretch on the working muscles.

A leg press is easy to stabilize and the safety bar is kept in place so if the person can not lift it, it should come down safely.

The gastrocnemius is made up of fast-twitch muscle fibres, which benefit more from heavy loads and low reps on the standing calf raise, while the soleus is a slow-twitch muscle and benefits from higher reps and lower loads on the seated calf raise.