Seated on a leg-press sled, lift and lower your heels to perform ankle plantarflexion and strengthen the calf muscles. Keep the knee angle steady and move the ankles through a full, controlled range.
How to do the Calf Press on Leg Press#
- Sit with your back against the pad and place your feet shoulder-width on the platform so only the balls of your feet and toes contact the plate and your heels hang off.
- Release the sled's safety stops and press the platform up until your legs are nearly extended without locking the knees to set the starting position.
- Keep your knees stable and raise your heels by actively pointing your toes downward to fully contract the calves.
- Lower your heels slowly until you feel a stretch in the calves, controlling the descent with your ankles.
- Repeat for the desired reps, and return the sled to the safety stops before exiting the machine.
Muscles worked#
- Primary: Calves (Gastrocnemius & Soleus)
Common mistakes#
- Locking the knees at the top of the movement.
- Allowing the knees to bend or shift forward during the press.
- Bouncing the heels instead of using controlled ankle motion.
- Placing the whole foot on the platform instead of using the balls of the feet.
