Exercise guide · Beginner · Compound
Lever Seated Calf Raise - High Variation: How to Do It & Muscles Worked
The lever seated calf raise is a machine-based exercise that targets the calf muscles, particularly the gastrocnemius and soleus. It is performed while seated, using a leverage machine to provide resistance as you raise and lower your heels.
- Primary muscles
- Calves
- Equipment
- Leverage Machine
- Level · type
- Beginner · Compound
How to do the lever seated calf raise - high variation
- Step 1: Adjust the seat height so that your knees are slightly bent and your feet are flat on the footplate.
- Step 2: Place your toes on the footplate with your heels hanging off the edge.
- Step 3: Grasp the handles or the sides of the seat for stability.
- Step 4: Push through the balls of your feet to raise your heels as high as possible.
- Step 5: Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your heels back down to the starting position.
- Step 6: Repeat for the desired number of repetitions. Emphasize high control.
Sets, reps and programming
| 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.
Lever Seated Calf Raise - High Variation alternatives
More exercises that train the calves as their main target:
-
Ankle Circles
Calves · Body Weight · Beginner compound -
Assisted Lying Calves Stretch
Calves · Assisted · Beginner stretch -
Balance Dumbbell Seated One Leg Calf Raise - Hammer Grip
Calves · Dumbbell · Beginner compound -
Band Two Legs Calf Raise - (Band Under Both Legs)
Calves · Band · Beginner compound -
Barbell Floor Calf Raise
Calves · Barbell · Beginner compound -
Barbell Seated Calf Raise
Calves · Barbell · Beginner compound -
Barbell Seated Calf Raise
Calves · Barbell · Beginner compound -
Bodyweight Standing Calf Raise
Calves · Body Weight · Beginner compound
More calves exercises
-
Standing Barbell Calf Raise
Calves · Barbell · Intermediate compound -
Band Single Leg Calf Raise
Calves · Band · Intermediate compound -
Band Single Leg Reverse Calf Raise
Calves · Band · Intermediate compound -
Barbell Standing Leg Calf Raise
Calves · Barbell · Intermediate compound -
Barbell Standing Rocking Leg Calf Raise
Calves · Barbell · Intermediate compound -
Box Jump Down with One Leg Stabilization
Calves · Body Weight · Advanced compound
Sources
- American College of Sports Medicine. Progression models in resistance training for healthy adults. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2009;41(3):687-708.
- Schoenfeld BJ, Grgic J, Ogborn D, Krieger JW. Strength and hypertrophy adaptations between low- vs. high-load resistance training. J Strength Cond Res. 2017;31(12):3508-3523.
- Schoenfeld BJ, Pope ZK, Benik FM, et al. Longer interset rest periods enhance muscle strength and hypertrophy in resistance-trained men. J Strength Cond Res. 2016;30(7):1805-1812.
- Grgic J, Schoenfeld BJ, Orazem J, Sabol F. Effects of resistance training performed to repetition failure or non-failure on muscular strength and hypertrophy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Sport Health Sci. 2022;11(2):202-211.
Step-by-step instructions and demonstration media are from the ExerciseDB exercise dataset.
This guide is general fitness information, not medical advice. Stop if an exercise causes pain and speak to a doctor or physiotherapist about injuries or health conditions before starting a new programme.