Calf PressMuscles Worked
The calf press machine works your calves, with the gastrocnemius doing most of the work because your knees stay almost straight while you press with the front of your feet. The machine guides the path and supports your body, so you can load it heavily with smooth, controlled reps.
PrimaryCalves
- Equipment
- Machine
- Level
- Beginner
- Type
- Isolation
- Force
- Push
How to do it
- Adjust the seat so your knees are just slightly bent when the balls of your feet are on the platform.
- Place the balls of your feet on the lower part of the platform, choose your weight and hold the handles.
- Straighten your legs just enough to lift the weight off the stack, letting your toes come back toward you for a stretch.
- Push the platform away with the front of your feet to point your toes as far as you can, keeping your knees still.
- Pause briefly at the end, then let your ankles bend slowly back into the stretch before the next rep.
Form tips
- Keep your knees in the same slight bend all set; pushing with your thighs turns it into a leg press.
- Use the full stretch at the bottom of every rep instead of short, quick pulses.
Why it made the list
No. 8 of 11
Best Calf Exercises
Machine calf press provides controlled, heavy loading for the gastrocnemius. Smooth and joint-friendly.
More calf exercises
See it on your own body map
Log your Calf Press sets in KasMaker and watch your calves fill in on the map, weighted by how much you did. Logging and the body map are free on iPhone.
