Calf Press On The Leg Press MachineMuscles Worked
The calf press on the leg press works your calves, with the gastrocnemius doing most of the work because your knees stay nearly straight. Your back is supported and the sled carries the load, so you can train your calves hard without balancing a weight on your shoulders.
PrimaryCalves
- Equipment
- Machine
- Level
- Beginner
- Type
- Isolation
- Force
- Push
How to do it
- Sit in the leg press and place your feet hip width apart in the middle of the platform.
- Press the platform up until your legs are straight with a slight bend, and leave the safety catches engaged if your machine allows it.
- Slide your feet down so only the balls of your feet are on the bottom edge of the platform, heels off.
- Let the platform push your toes back toward you until your calves are stretched.
- Press through the balls of your feet to point your toes as far as you can, pause, then return slowly.
Form tips
- Keep your knees fixed with a slight bend the whole time, and never lock them out under load.
- Move your feet slowly and carefully when shifting to the platform edge, because a foot slipping off is the main risk here.
- Use a smooth tempo rather than short, bouncing reps.
Why it made the list
No. 4 of 11
Best Calf Exercises
Allows heavy loading in a safe position. Many people prefer this to standing raises.
More calf exercises
See it on your own body map
Log your Calf Press On The Leg Press Machine 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.
