Seated Calf Raises

Seated calf raises are the exercise for the soleus. With the knee flexed (seated), the gastrocnemius becomes ineffective, so the soleus — which crosses only the ankle joint — does the plantar flexion. Pointing on the big toe emphasizes the inner portion, and vice versa. Listed as an intermediate calf selection (Keiser).

• Primary Muscle: Soleus.
• Bent-knee position isolates the soleus (gastrocnemius is taken out).
• Big-toe emphasis shifts inner/outer loading.

• soleus — primary mover (crosses only the ankle).
• gastrocnemius — taken out of the movement when the knee is flexed.
• calves-overview — calf training overview.
• plantar-flexion — the joint action.
• standing-calf-raise — the straight-knee (gastrocnemius) variation.