How to Do Barbell Seated Calf Raise: Muscles Worked & Proper form

a gif showing how to do Barbell Seated Calf Raise with proper form

Muscles Worked in Barbell Seated Calf Raise

a picture showing which muscles that are being worked in the Barbell Seated Calf Raise

Primary muscles worked:

How to Do Barbell Seated Calf Raise

  1. Sit on a bench with your feet hip-width apart and place a barbell on your thighs, just above your knees.
  2. Press the weight up by lifting your heels.
  3. With control, lower the weight until you return to the starting position.
  4. Repeat for reps.

Commentary

The seated calf raise primarily targets the inner calf muscle (soleus) because the outer calf muscle (gastrocnemius) is in a shortened position. If you want a longer range of motion, you can place a small elevation under your toes, such as a weight plate.

A variation of this exercise is the standing calf raise, where both calf muscles work simultaneously.

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