Calf Press on Leg Press

Lets you load calves heavy without compressing your spine or relying on balance: a big range and progression that is easy to track on the machine itself.

• Isolation
• Machine
• Beginner

How to do it

• Balls of your feet on the lower edge of the platform
• Knees extended (without fully locking out)
• Stretch at the bottom with a pause; no bouncing
• Press into full plantar flexion

Sets, reps and tempo

Ranges: 12–20 reps · 0–1 RIR

Tempo: Press through the ball of your foot for 1 s, squeeze, return for 2–3 s into the stretch

Common mistakes

• Locking your knee and turning it into a press
• A short range with no stretch
• Placing your feet too high

Muscles worked

Primary

• Calves

Alternatives

• Standing Calf Raise
• Seated Calf Raise