Best Calves Exercises
Browse all 34 calves exercises
The calf muscles are responsible for plantar flexion (pointing the toes) and are essential for walking, running, and jumping. They are among the most stubborn muscles to grow due to their high endurance fibre composition.
The calves consist of the gastrocnemius (the visible two-headed muscle that crosses the knee joint) and the soleus (a broad, flat muscle underneath). The gastrocnemius provides explosive power while the soleus provides sustained endurance during standing and walking.

Leg Curl
hamstringsisolation
Beginnerleg curl machine

Calf Raises
calvesisolation
Beginnercalf raise machine

Assault Bike
quadricepscompound
Beginnermachine

Barbell Bulgarian Split Squat
quadricepsglutescompound
Advancedbarbell, bench, squat rack

Barbell Calf Raise
calvesisolation
Beginnerbarbell, squat rack

Barbell Reverse Lunge
quadricepsglutescompound
Intermediatebarbell, squat rack

Barbell Split Squat
quadricepsglutescompound
Intermediatebarbell, squat rack

Barbell Walking Lunge
quadricepsglutescompound
Intermediatebarbell, squat rack

Belt Squat
quadricepsglutescompound
Beginnermachine

Bodyweight Elevated Calf Raise
calvesisolation
Beginnerbodyweight

Bodyweight Pistol Squat
quadricepsglutescompound
Advancedbodyweight

Cable Step Up
quadricepsglutescompound
Intermediatecable, bench

Clean
quadricepshamstringsglutescompound
Advancedbarbell

Elevated Smith Machine Calf Raise
calvesisolation
Beginnersmith machine, plate

Elliptical
quadricepscompound
Beginnermachine

Exercise Bike
quadricepscompound
Beginnermachine

Glute Ham Raise
hamstringscompound
Advancedmachine

Hack Squat
quadricepscompound
Beginnermachine

Hack Squat Calf Raise
calvesisolation
Beginnermachine

Lunge
quadricepscompound
Beginnerbodyweight

Lying Leg Curl
hamstringsisolation
Beginnermachine

Machine Leg Press
quadricepscompound
Beginnermachine

Machine Leg Press Calf Raise
calvesisolation
Beginnermachine

Nordic Curl
hamstringsisolation
Advancedbodyweight

Seated Machine Calf Raise
calvesisolation
Beginnermachine

Seated Single Leg Leg Curl
hamstringsisolation
Beginnermachine

Seated Single Leg Machine Calf Raise
calvesisolation
Beginnermachine

Sissy Squat
quadricepsisolation
Intermediatebodyweight

Smith Machine Calf Raise
calvesisolation
Beginnersmith machine, plate

Stairmaster
quadricepscompound
Beginnermachine

Standing Dumbbell Calf Raise
calvesisolation
Beginnerdumbbell

Standing Machine Calf Raise
calvesisolation
Beginnermachine

Standing Single Leg Leg Curl
hamstringsisolation
Beginnermachine

Treadmill
quadricepscompound
Beginnermachine
34 exercises found