How to Do the Smith Machine Calf Raise
💪 Calves🏋️ Machine📊 Beginner🏷️ Strength
How to perform it
- Place a block or weight plate below the bar on the Smith machine. Set the bar to a position that best matches your height. Once the correct height is chosen and the bar is loaded, step onto the plates with the balls of your feet and place the bar on the back of your shoulders.
- Take the bar with both hands facing forward. Rotate the bar to unrack it. This will be your starting position.
- Raise your heels as high as possible by pushing off of the balls of your feet, flexing your calf at the top of the contraction. Your knees should remain extended. Hold the contracted position for a second before you start to go back down.
- Return slowly to the starting position as you breathe in while lowering your heels.
- Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Muscles worked
The Smith Machine Calf Raise primarily targets your Calves. You'll need machine.
Make it count toward your goal
Random sets rarely move the needle. In NYUS, the Smith Machine Calf Raise slots into a plan built for your goal — sets, reps and progression auto-suggested, logged in two taps, and folded into a weekly review that adapts what comes next.