Seated calf raise (machine)

Seated in a calf machine with the pad across the lower thighs and the balls of the feet on the step: the seated raise with a machine's load on the knees, the bent knee leaning the work toward the soleus.

Calf raise family

Seated calf raise (machine)

Easier option

DemandEasy

Equipment requiredStrength machine

Muscle focusCalves

Gets into position, then repeats the movement. Technical checks passed; qualified exercise review is pending.

Watch it bigger, and flip through similar moves, in the studio.Open in the studio

Source-researched guide. Clinical review is pending.

How to move

Sit with the balls of the feet on the step, the heels hanging off, and the pad snug across the lower thighs.
Release the safety catch and let the heels lower below the step.
Push up onto the balls of the feet as high as you can, then lower slowly.

Form cues

Take the full range, heels low to heels high.
Pause at the top rather than bouncing.

Practice and cautions

No universal dose is assigned. Choose a manageable amount for your current capacity, leave room for controlled repetitions, and allow recovery. A clinician’s individual plan takes priority.

This is movement education, not an assessment or treatment prescription. Stop for sharp or increasing pain, dizziness, numbness or tingling; seek individual guidance for symptoms, injury or restrictions.

Add to a routine Log a session

Sources and review status

Sources support the educational description; they do not establish that this exercise is suitable for you.

UHCW NHS · Achilles tendinopathy (the seated calf raise, weights on the knees, before the standing raises) ↗
Signorile 2002 · Calf muscle recruitment by knee angle (the soleus best at 90 degrees; JSCR) ↗
Free Exercise DB · community text ↗
Unlicense · Free Exercise DB contributors; derived from wrkout/exercises.json. Text import; no photographs or media. · Revision f00c92c7dcf1216a928a52c3706c7ce8e2f71ed5

No variation is labeled clinically validated.

Loading movement options…

What it works

Muscles

Main: Calves.

Equipment

Strength machine

Level

Beginner. See the easier and harder options above.

Workouts that use it

Lower body gym workout · 50 min

Similar moves

Seated barbell calf raise demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoSeated barbell calf raiseBeginner · A barbell + A bench or box

Seated one-leg calf raise with a dumbbell demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoSeated one-leg calf raise with a dumbbellBeginner · A dumbbell + A bench or box

Calf Raise On A Dumbbell demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoCalf Raise On A DumbbellIntermediate · A dumbbell

Smith Machine Reverse Calf Raises demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoSmith Machine Reverse Calf RaisesBeginner · Strength machine

Isometric calf raise hold demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoIsometric calf raise holdBeginner · A wall

Seated bent-knee calf raise (soleus raise) demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoSeated bent-knee calf raise (soleus raise)Beginner · A bench or box

Browse more

Questions people ask

What muscles does the Seated calf raise (machine) work?

Mainly the calves.

What equipment do I need for the Seated calf raise (machine)?

Strength machine.

Is the Seated calf raise (machine) good for beginners?

It is graded beginner, so it suits most people starting out. When it feels easy, try the Slow calf raise.

How do I make the Seated calf raise (machine) harder?

Progress to the Slow calf raise, or add load, range or slower lowering once your form is solid.