Barbell seated calf raise: How to Do It, Muscles Worked

Step by step

Sit with the balls of your feet on a block.
Hold the bar on your thighs, just above the knees.
Rise high, pause, then lower into a deep stretch.

What you should feel

A burn and stretch in the lower calf; your knees should not feel pressure from the bar.

Common mistake

Letting the bar slide onto your knees; keep it on your lower thighs and hold it steady.

Sets and reps

To build muscle: 3 to 4 sets of 8 to 12 reps, resting 1 to 2 minutes.
It isolates one muscle, so it works best after your bigger lifts, with 10 to 15 reps.

Works

Calves

Equipment

Barbell

Alternatives for the same muscles

No machine, no barbell, or something hurts? These work the same muscles.

Calf raiseCalves

Standing calf raise machineCalves

Seated calf raiseCalves

Leg press calf raiseCalves

Machine calf pressCalves

Smith machine calf raiseCalves

Questions

What muscles does the barbell seated calf raise work?

Barbell seated calf raise mainly works your calves.

Can I do the barbell seated calf raise at home?

Not easily, it needs this: barbell. At home, try instead: standing dumbbell calf raise, seated single-leg dumbbell calf raise, and band calf raise.

How many sets and reps of the barbell seated calf raise?

To build muscle: 3 to 4 sets of 8 to 12 reps, resting 1 to 2 minutes. It isolates one muscle, so it works best after your bigger lifts, with 10 to 15 reps.

Warm up for 5 to 10 minutes first. Stop if something hurts (sharp pain, not effort), and check with a doctor if you have a health condition. Photos: Free Exercise DB (public domain).

More exercises for your calves

Barbell seated calf raise