Standing Calf Raise
A simple bodyweight move for the calves. Standing tall, you rise up onto the balls of your feet as high as you can, then lower your heels slowly back to the floor.
Push through the balls of your feet
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PrimaryCalves
How to do it
- Stand tall with your feet about hip-width apart and your toes pointing forward. Rest a hand on a wall for balance if you need to.
- Keep your legs straight but not locked, and your weight spread across the balls of your feet.
- Push through the balls of your feet to rise onto your toes as high as you can, keeping your ankles from rolling out.
- Pause and squeeze your calves at the top.
- Lower your heels slowly until they touch the floor. To work through a bigger range, do the same move with the balls of your feet on the edge of a step.
Common mistakes
- Bouncing quickly through short reps instead of using the full range.
- Rolling onto the outside edges of the feet at the top.
- Bending the knees to push up, which takes work off the calves.
- Dropping the heels fast instead of lowering under control.
The animation shows general technique, not advice for your body. If you have an injury or are new to lifting, check your form with a qualified coach. See the Disclaimer.
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