Raise and lower the leg-press platform by extending and flexing the ankles while seated to load the calf muscles. Keep the knees stable and use ankle movement to perform each repetition.
How to do the Calf Press on Seated Leg Press#
- Sit on the leg-press seat and place your feet shoulder-width on the platform with only the balls of your feet contacting the plate and your heels hanging off.
- Hold the platform in place with your feet, release the safety catch, and extend your legs without locking the knees to set the start position.
- Drive through the balls of your feet to lift your heels as high as possible, fully contracting the calves while keeping the knees still.
- Lower your heels in a controlled manner until you feel a stretch in the calves, maintaining a steady knee angle.
- Repeat for the chosen number of reps, avoiding rapid bouncing and breathing steadily throughout the set.
Muscles worked#
- Primary: Calves (Gastrocnemius & Soleus)
Common mistakes#
- Letting the knees bend or move instead of staying stationary.
- Placing the whole foot on the platform so heels are supported, reducing calf isolation.
- Bouncing at the bottom of the movement to create momentum instead of using control.
