Difficulty: Easy
Impact Level: Low
Target Body Parts: calves
How to do Calf Raises
Back to ExercisesInstructions
Start in a standing position with your feet at hip width and your arms by your sides. Keep a straight back and good upright posture, looking straight ahead.
From here, contract your calf muscles, hamstrings and glutes so that you raise up on to your toes by lifting your heels up as high as you can. Pause at the top position briefly before lowering your heals back to the ground. Repeat this isolated movement focused on the calves for the required duration.
How to make Calf Raises easier
If you find this exercise too hard, start off doing it sitting on a chair, bench or step with your feet flat on the floor and lift your heels up and down.
Then progress to standing next to a pillar, wall or hand rail so that you can hold on with one or two hands to help balance you during the exercise.
How to make Calf Raises more challenging
Once you are able to complete this exercise comfortably with using both legs, progress to a one-legged calf raise by standing on one leg only and raising yourself up and down using the calf on that leg only.
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