Exercise guide · Intermediate · Compound

Band Single Leg Reverse Calf Raise: How to Do It & Muscles Worked

The band single leg reverse calf raise is a lower leg exercise that targets the calves, with secondary emphasis on the hamstrings and glutes. It uses a resistance band and requires balance and control as you raise your heel off the ground on one leg.

Primary muscles
Calves
Secondary muscles
Hamstrings , Glutes
Equipment
Band
Level · type
Intermediate · Compound
Demonstration of the band single leg reverse calf raise
Front view: muscles worked by the band single leg reverse calf raise. Primary: calves. Secondary: hamstrings and glutes.
Back view: muscles worked by the band single leg reverse calf raise. Primary: calves. Secondary: hamstrings and glutes.
Primary Secondary

How to do the band single leg reverse calf raise

  1. Step 1: Stand with your feet hip-width apart and place the band around the ball of your foot.
  2. Step 2: Hold onto a stable object for balance.
  3. Step 3: Slowly raise your heel off the ground, lifting your body weight onto the ball of your foot.
  4. Step 4: Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your heel back down to the starting position.
  5. Step 5: Repeat for the desired number of repetitions, then switch to the other leg.

Sets, reps and programming

Suggested sets, reps and rest for the band single leg reverse calf raise by training goal
Goal Sets Reps Rest Effort
Strength 3–5 3–6 3–5 min 1–3 reps in reserve
Muscle growth 3–4 6–12 2–3 min 1–2 reps in reserve
Muscular endurance 2–3 12–20 1–2 min 1–3 reps in reserve

Ranges follow the ACSM position stand on progression in resistance training. Muscle grows across a wide range of loads when sets end close to failure (Schoenfeld et al., 2017), longer rests between heavy sets support strength and size (Schoenfeld et al., 2016), and stopping a rep or two short of failure works about as well as training to failure (Grgic et al., 2022). Estimate your working weights with the strength calculators.

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