How to do the Leg Press Calf Press
Sit in the leg press and place the balls of your feet on the bottom of the platform, heels hanging off.
Push the platform out with your legs almost straight and keep your knees still.
Press through your toes as far as you can.
Let the platform come back slowly until your calves are stretched.
Sets and reps
| Goal | Sets | Reps | Rest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muscle growth | 2–4 | 10–15 | 1 min |
| Muscular endurance | 2–3 | 15–25 | 45 s |
When you hit the top of the rep range on every set, add 5 kg (10 lb) next session and work back up.
Starting points from training research. Stop each set 1–3 reps short of failure.
Muscles worked
Primary
Stubborn but trainable. Standing raises with straight knees load the gastrocnemius, seated raises the soleus; go through a full stretch.
Alternatives
Same muscles, similar movement: swap in one of these if the Leg Press Calf Press doesn’t suit your gym or your joints.
Train smarter
- How to grow calves: genetics, range and frequencyHow to grow calves when they won't budge: what genetics decide, why the stretch matters, straight vs bent-knee raises, how often to train and a calf plan.
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