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
| Name | Equipment | Pattern | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seated Calf Raise | Machine | Isolation | Beginner |
| Standing Calf Raise | Dumbbell | Isolation | Beginner |
Also involves this group (secondary)
| Name | Equipment | Pattern | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bulgarian Split Squat | Dumbbell | Lunge | Intermediate |
| Leg Press | Machine | Squat | Beginner |
| Lying Leg Curl | Machine | Isolation | Beginner |
| Walking Lunge | Dumbbell | Lunge | Beginner |