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Exercise guide

Barbell Seated Calf Raise

How to do the Barbell Seated Calf Raise with correct form, the muscles it works, and where it fits a training plan you actually stick to.

IsolationBarbellBeginnerPush
Primary muscles

Calves

Secondary

Equipment

Barbell

Step by step

How to do the Barbell Seated Calf Raise

  1. 1

    Place a block about 12 inches in front of a flat bench.

  2. 2

    Sit on the bench and place the ball of your feet on the block.

  3. 3

    Have someone place a barbell over your upper thighs about 3 inches above your knees and hold it there. This will be your starting position.

  4. 4

    Raise up on your toes as high as possible as you squeeze the calves and as you breathe out.

  5. 5

    After a second contraction, slowly go back to the starting position. Tip: To get maximum benefit stretch your calves as far as you can.

  6. 6

    Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

In Ascend

Log it, see it on your body.

Every Barbell Seated Calf Raise set you log feeds Ascend's anatomy heatmap — so your calves volume is visible at a glance — and counts toward your bodyweight-strength tier.

Related

More calves exercises

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