Muscles / Calves

Calves

Lower-leg plantarflexors. Standing raises bias gastrocnemius; seated raises bias soleus with the knee flexed.

Anatomy on this page

Gastrocnemius

Two-headed, crosses the knee.

Soleus

Deep plantarflexor; knee-bent emphasis.

Primary exercises

NameEquipmentPatternDifficulty
Seated Calf RaiseMachineIsolationBeginner
Standing Calf RaiseDumbbellIsolationBeginner

Also involves this group (secondary)

NameEquipmentPatternDifficulty
Bulgarian Split SquatDumbbellLungeIntermediate
Leg PressMachineSquatBeginner
Lying Leg CurlMachineIsolationBeginner
Walking LungeDumbbellLungeBeginner