5 Great At Home Calves Exercises

This is the last article in the series of articles, which I have provided you with a few exercises in each article, that are specific for one main muscle group. However, most of these exercises will also work additional muscles as well.

Note: I do not recommend that you only target (or isolate) a single muscle group for a complete work out. When you attempt to "isolate" muscles by performing single-joint exercises, you are actually creating a body that is non-functional and will be more prone to injury. Essentially, you are creating a body that is a compilation of body parts, instead of a powerful, functional unit that works together.

Including this articles, you now have a total of seventy five exercises that target every muscle group in your entire body. Choose an exercise from each article and combine them for a total body work out routine. Remember to adjust the weight of barbells and dumbells etc... to your level, in order to avoid any injuries.

Always remember to warm up for at least 5 - 10 minutes before beginning a work out routine.

Part Fifteen: Calves Exercises

Standing Barbell Calf Raise

Main Muscle Worked: Calves
Equipment: Barbell

1. This exercise is best performed inside a squat rack for safety purposes. To begin, first set the bar on a rack that best matches your height. Once the correct height is chosen and the bar is loaded, step under the bar and place the bar on the back of your shoulders (slightly below the neck).
2. Hold on to the bar using both arms at each side and lift it off the rack by first pushing with your legs and at the same time straightening your torso.
3. Step away from the rack and position your legs using a shoulder width medium stance with the toes slightly pointed out. Keep your head up at all times as looking down will get you off balance and also maintain a straight back. The knees should be kept with a slight bend; never locked. This will be your starting position. Tip: For better range of motion you may also place the ball of your feet on a wooden block but be careful as this option requires more balance and a sturdy block.
4. Raise your heels as you breathe out by extending your ankles as high as possible and flexing your calf. Ensure that the knee is kept stationary at all times. There should be no bending at any time. Hold the contracted position by a second before you start to go back down.
5. Go back slowly to the starting position as you breathe in by lowering your heels as you bend the ankles until calves are stretched.
6. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

  

Caution:

• If you suffer from lower back problems, a better exercise is the calf press as during a standing calf raise the back has to support the weight being lifted. Also, maintain your back straight and stationary at all times. Rounding of the back can cause lower back injury.

Variations:

• There are several other ways to perform a standing calf raise. A calf press machine instead of a squat rack can be used as well as dumbbells with one leg or two legs at a time. A smith machine can be used for calf raises as well. You can also perform the barbell calf raise using a piece of wood to place the ball of the foot. This will allow you to get a better range of motion. However be cautious as in this case you will need to balance yourself much better.

Standing Dumbbell Calf Raise

Main Muscle Worked: Calves
Equipment: Dumbbell

1. Stand with your torso upright holding two dumbbells in your hands by your sides. Place the ball of the foot on a sturdy and stable wooden board (that is around 2-3 inches tall) while your heels extend off and touch the floor. This will be your starting position.
2. With the toes pointing either straight (to hit all parts equally), inwards (for emphasis on the outer head) or outwards (for emphasis on the inner head), raise the heels off the floor as you exhale by contracting the calves. Hold the top contraction for a second.
3. As you inhale, go back to the starting position by slowly lowering the heels.
4. Repeat for the recommended amount of times.

  

Note:

• As you become stronger you may need to use wrist wraps to avoid having the dumbbells slip out of your hands.

Barbell Seated Calf Raise

Main Muscle Worked: Calves
Equipment: Barbell

1. Place a block about 12 inches in front of a flat bench.
2. Sit on the bench and place the ball of your feet on the block.
3. Have someone place a barbell over your upper thighs about 3 inches above your knees and hold it there. This will be your starting position.
4. Raise up on your toes as high as possible as you squeeze the calves and as you breathe out.
5. After a second contraction, slowly go back to the starting position. Tip: To get maximum benefit stretch your calves as far as you can.
6. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

  

Variations:

• You can use the smith machine or the seated calf raise machine in order to perform this exercise. Alternatively, you can also use dumbbells by placing one on top of each thigh.

Dumbbell Seated One-Leg Calf Raise

Main Muscle Worked: Calves
Equipment: Dumbbell

1. Place a block on the floor about 12 inches from a flat bench.
2. Sit on a flat bench and place a dumbbell on your upper left thigh about 3 inches above your knee.
3. Now place the ball of your left foot on the block. This will be your starting position.
4. Raise your toes up as high as possible as you exhale and you contract your calf muscle. Hold the contraction for a second.
5. Slowly return to the starting position, stretching as far down as possible.
6. Repeat for your prescribed number of repetitions and then repeat with the right leg.

 

Variations:

• You can perform this exercise also with both legs at the same time as well as using a seated calf raise machine.

Calf Raises - With Bands

Main Muscle Worked: Calves
Equipment: Bands

1. Grab an exercise band and stand on it with your toes making sure that the length of the band between the foot and the arms is the same for both sides.
2. While holding the handles of the band, raise the arms to the side of your head as if you were getting ready to perform a shoulder press. The palms should be facing forward with the elbows bent and to the sides. This movement will create tension on the band. This will be your starting position.
3. Keeping the hands by your shoulder, stand up on your toes as you exhale and contract the calves hard at the top of the movement.
4. After a one second contraction, slowly go back down to the starting position.
5. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

 

Variations:

• There are multiple ways to perform calf raises. You can use dumbbells, barbells or various machines.

Take these exercises along with those from the previous articles, and combine them to create your own total body work out routine. In addition, put in place a healthy diet, and you will be well on your way to being healthy and fit.




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