Standing barbell calf raise: How to Do It, Muscles Worked

Step by step

Rest the bar on your upper back, stand tall.
Rise high on the balls of your feet.
Pause, then lower your heels slowly for a stretch.

What you should feel

A deep stretch and squeeze in your calves; your back and neck should not feel pinched.

Common mistake

Bending the knees to heave the weight up; keep your legs nearly straight and lighten the load.

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 standing barbell calf raise work?

Standing barbell calf raise mainly works your calves.

Can I do the standing barbell 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 standing barbell 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

Standing barbell calf raise