Exercise Guide

Single-Leg Calf Raise

A calf raise on one leg, ideally off a step for the full stretch. Doubles the load without touching a weight and shows up side-to-side differences.

BeginnerStrengthPushIsolation
Form
Single-Leg Calf Raise - Start position
Start
Single-Leg Calf Raise - Mid position
Mid
Single-Leg Calf Raise - End position
End

Illustrations by Bryl Lim for Workout Guide, after Everkinetic. Used unchanged under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Details

Primary Muscle

Calves

Equipment

Bodyweight

Difficulty

Beginner

Category

Strength

Force

Push

Mechanic

Isolation

Secondary Muscles

Core
How to Perform
  1. 1

    Stand on the ball of one foot on a step, holding a wall or rail for balance.

  2. 2

    Let your heel drop below the level of the step until you feel a stretch in the calf.

  3. 3

    Press up onto your toes as high as you can and pause at the top.

  4. 4

    Lower slowly back into the stretch, then repeat before switching legs.

Tips
  • ★Pause at both ends - most people bounce and cheat the hardest parts of the rep.
  • ★Hold the rail for balance only, not to pull yourself up.
Explore by Muscle
CalvesCore