Calf raises

[dapperdan]

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dapperdan- what equipment do you use for toe raises/reverse raises for the front of the lower leg?

I use the cable fly machine... lower it to the bottom and use a strap attachment (no one ever uses it! Think its for leg extension exercises), then sit on the floor, leg out straight, and hook strap over foot.

I have tried this one but needed such a heavy weight that my gym didnt have heavy enough dumbells (max 34kg) and even then it would really hurt my feet where the weight pressed on my trainers!..http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc-k7...layer_embedded

[Pkant2002]

Going to bring this thread back up as i am putting together a PPL routine and need calf raises in there somewhere yet have no clue how to do them. So there is a seated calf raise machine at my gym but i dont think thats a great option. Is it possible just to put a step under a smith machine and then stand on tip toes then push down on heels ect or would you do it with just a standard oly bar. Also having never done calf exercises i have no clue at what sort of weight i would be using i guess it will be around the same mark as my squat weight ???

Final dumb question do you tend to hold yourself up with anything ie hold onto something infront of you to stop you falling off the step ???

[funb]

I've started doing these this week - standing on a step in the smith machine as you describe with an oly bar on my back. Lean back into the rack with the bar to keep your balance.

[Pkant2002]

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I've started doing these this week - standing on a step in the smith machine as you describe with an oly bar on my back. Lean back into the rack with the bar to keep your balance.

When you say lean back against the smith machine does that mean you raise the smith machine bar to like chest height and lean on it with your back ?

cant imagine people be too happy with me if i use the oly bar and the smith machine lol

[funb]

No I mean you are in the rack with the uprights of the rack slightly behind you, standing with your toes on the step. Lean back so that the oly bar across your shoulders makes contact with the uprights of the smith machine. The oly bar remains in contact with the upright as you raise and lower. Hope that makes sense.

This is the closest picture I could find:

[DamianWalker]

Couldn't you just use the leg press, I'd be pretty ****** if I saw someone using the only squat rack at my gym for calf raises. You don't need to hit em from some sort of special angle as long as you get full rom your fine.

[funb]

Or do them 1 leg at a time, standing on a bench with a dumbbell in the opposite hand to the leg being worked, and stabilise with the other hand on the wall

[Pkant2002]

I think the smith machine will work for me as you can maintain balance and load up. Plus no one should ever be using it so I should be ok lol.

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[rattyryan]

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Going to steal this thread as i don’t think my question denotes its own thread.

Basically i am thinking of putting together a HST routine and lots of people recommend adding some kind of calf raise.

So i have been on YouTube and seen about 10,000 different ways of doing them. Therefore i want to know what’s the most effective way, should i just grab an Olympic bar like i would squat and just stand on a little raised thing or should i do them under a smith machine or seated on a leg press. Basically i just don’t know and would love some advice.

Many thanks,

Pkant

Just alternate...you dont have to stick with the exact same exercises week in week out.

[rattyryan]

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Or do them 1 leg at a time, standing on a bench with a dumbbell in the opposite hand to the leg being worked, and stabilise with the other hand on the wall

This is good aye. I do it on the stairs in my hallway. Dumbell in 1 hand...other hand on the rail or wall...foot on a step with the other foot on the back of the heal.
Or switch it up using 2 feet holding a barbell and 2 plates on the floor as a step. Theres loads you can do