Calf Raises
Calf raise exercises are used both for weights training purposes, often with large weights, or for rehabilitation for ankle, calf and achilles injuries inparticular.
Teaching points
- Stand with the feet about shoulder width apart and toes pointing straight forwards.
- Keep the knees straight as you raise your heels off the floor.
- Lift your heels as high as you can and then return slowly to the starting position.
Variations & progressions
- Progress by performing the exercise on a step, with only the toes on the step as shown above.
- Hold onto the wall or banister as you raise the heels and then drop them down below the level of the step before returning to the starting position.
- Alternatively perform on a single leg.
Muscles worked
- Gastrocnemius.
- Soleus.
Alternative exercises
- Calf raise machine.
- Calf raise with a bent knee.
Related injuries
- Calf strain.
- Tight calfs.
- Achilles tendon tear.
- Achilles tendon rupture.
- Achilles tendinitis.
- ACL rupture.
- PCL rupture.
- Meniscus injury.
