Seated calf raises with a barbell

Seated calf raises with a barbell offer an option for calf training, requiring only a barbell and a suitable seating surface like a workout bench. After taking a seat on a bench or chair, place your feet about hip-width apart on the ground. Begin by pressing the entire sole of your feet against the floor. Next, grasp a barbell with an overhand grip at shoulder width. Position it on your knees. If necessary, you can use padding to avoid uncomfortable pressure points. Keep your upper body completely straight, with a slight arch in your lower back to protect your spine. Your gaze is forward, and your head forms a natural extension of your spine.

To increase the training stimulus, you can place a weight plate under your feet and position only your toes on it.

Movement execution

During seated calf raises with a barbell, raise your heels as high as possible while exhaling. At this point, only the balls of your feet touch the floor or the weight plate. Lifting your heels also raises your thighs along with the barbell. Afterward, lower your heels and pause just above the ground. Inhale during this downward movement, preparing for the next repetition.

Stressed muscles and common mistakes

You can find additional information about the muscles involved and common mistakes in seated calf raises with a barbell on the "Seated Calf Raises with a Barbell" page.

Alternative variants to seated calf raises with a barbell

To make your training more diverse, you can also explore similar exercises and additional variations of seated calf raises with a barbell.