Exercise 0108 · REF rGwhJ5o

Barbell Standing Leg Calf Raise exercise animation

Barbell Standing Leg Calf Raise

Category
Lower Legs
Equipment
Barbell
Target
Calves

The standing leg calf raise, done with one leg loaded and weight on the shoulders, isolates each calf independently and tends to expose side-to-side strength differences a two-leg raise can hide. It's a useful progression once two-leg standing raises stop being challenging. Keep the standing leg's knee straight and control the descent instead of dropping into the stretch.

How to Do the Barbell Standing Leg Calf Raise

  1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and place a barbell across your upper back.
  2. Raise your heels off the ground as high as possible, using your calves.
  3. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your heels back down to the starting position.
  4. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

Muscles Worked

The Barbell Standing Leg Calf Raise primarily targets the Calves, with Hamstrings as the primary synergist muscle group, along with the Glutes.

More Lower Legs Exercises

More Calves Exercises

Equipment Alternatives

Don't have barbell? These target the same calves with different equipment.

FAQ

What muscles does the Barbell Standing Leg Calf Raise work?
The Barbell Standing Leg Calf Raise primarily targets the calves, with the hamstrings and glutes assisting.
What equipment do I need for the Barbell Standing Leg Calf Raise?
The Barbell Standing Leg Calf Raise is done with a barbell.
What's a good alternative to the Barbell Standing Leg Calf Raise?
If you don't have access to a barbell, the Ankle Circles targets the same calves using body weight instead.