The calves can be a tricky body part to target, but they’re vital for the overall balance and health of your legs and their joints. So, to help you out, we’ve selected some of the best calf exercises to fully access these muscles. These are our picks:
- Calf Raises With Extension
- Turned Out Calf Raises
- Seated Calf Raise
- Squat To Heel Raise
In the rest of this article, we’ll explain how to do each exercise, along with pointers for achieving proper form. You won’t need any equipment aside from a step or other sturdy surface for one of the exercises.
4 Ways To Tone Your Calf Muscles
Calf Raises With Extension
For this calf raise variation, you’ll need a step, a box, or some other sturdy elevated surface to stand on.
Stand on the edge of the step with your heels hanging off the surface, feet hip width apart, and spine tall. Flex your feet slightly to lengthen through your calves, hold three seconds, then press into your toes and lift your heels. Hold at the top for three more seconds, then repeat. Do 10 to 15 reps.
Turned Out Calf Raises
Stand up straight with your feet shoulder width apart. Then, raise your heels slightly, bring them together, and place them back on the ground. This is your starting position.
Keeping your heels pointed toward each other, raise them slowly and with control. Hold for one second, then slowly lower back to the ground. Do 10 to 20 reps.
Seated Calf Raise
Begin by sitting tall at the edge of a chair, feet planted on the ground and knees bent at a 90 degree angle. Then, press into your toes and lift your heels. Hold for one second at the height of the lift, then return to the ground slowly and with control. Do 10 to 20 reps.
If you’d like.a greater challenge, place a weight across your knees and use that as resistance as you lift and lower your heels.
Squat To Heel Raise
Stand tall with your feet hip width apart. Then, go into a squat position, knees bent and torso hinging slightly forward from the hips. Next, press into your toes and lift your heels as you straighten your legs. Hold for one second. This completes one rep. Do 10 to 20 reps.
Try adding a few of these calf raise variations into your next leg day workout. With consistency, you’ll have strong, toned calves in no time!
