10 Best Donkey Calf Raise Alternatives for Home & Gym

The Donkey Calf Raise is done standing. Ranked closest by our scoring: the Bodyweight Standing Calf Raise, the Lever Rotary Calf and Standing Calf Raises.

Updated Ranked by our 12-factor similarity model How it works

Original Exercise: Donkey Calf Raise

Donkey Calf RaisePlay demonstration
Primary muscle
Calves
Equipment
Bodyweight
Difficulty
Beginner
Type
Isolation

Secondary muscles: Hamstrings, Glutes

How to perform Donkey Calf Raise
  1. Stand with your toes on an elevated surface, such as a step or block.
  2. Place your hands on a stable support, such as a wall or railing, for balance.
  3. Raise your heels as high as possible, lifting your body weight onto the balls of your feet.
  4. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your heels back down to the starting position.
  5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
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Ranked Donkey Calf Raise Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Donkey Calf Raise on movement pattern, muscles worked, equipment and body position. The higher the score, the less you change. Open "How to perform this exercise" on a card for the steps; every card title links to that exercise's own alternatives page.

  1. Best match
    Bodyweight Standing Calf RaisePlay demonstration

    1. Bodyweight Standing Calf Raise

    99% match
    • Calves
    • Bodyweight
    • Beginner
    • Isolation

    It uses the same equipment and still works the calves.

    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, toes pointing forward.
    2. Place your hands on a wall or stable surface for balance.
    3. Slowly raise your heels off the ground, lifting your body weight onto the balls of your feet.
    4. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your heels back down to the starting position.
    5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps, and add reps before you add load.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: calves, the same as the Donkey Calf Raise
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Donkey Calf Raise
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Donkey Calf Raise
  2. Lever Rotary CalfPlay demonstration

    2. Lever Rotary Calf

    89% match
    • Calves
    • Lever
    • Beginner
    • Isolation

    A good swap when you have a lever machine to work with, and it still works the calves.

    How to perform this exercise
    1. Adjust the seat height so that your knees are slightly bent and your feet are flat on the footplate.
    2. Place your toes on the footplate, with your heels hanging off the edge.
    3. Grasp the handles or the sides of the machine for stability.
    4. Push through the balls of your feet, raising your heels as high as possible.
    5. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your heels back down to the starting position.
    6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: calves, the same as the Donkey Calf Raise
    • Equipment: a machine, not bodyweight only
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Donkey Calf Raise
  3. Standing Calf Raises

    3. Standing Calf Raises

    89% match
    • Calves
    • Machine
    • Beginner
    • Isolation

    A good swap when you have a machine to work with, and it still works the calves.

    How to perform this exercise
    1. Adjust the padded lever of the calf raise machine to fit your height.
    2. Place your shoulders under the pads provided and position your toes facing forward (or using any of the two other positions described at the beginning of the chapter). The balls of your feet should be secured on top of the calf block with the heels extending off it. Push the lever up by extending your hips and knees until your torso is standing erect. The knees should be kept with a slight bend; never locked. Toes should be facing forward, outwards or inwards as described at the beginning of the chapter. This will be your starting position.
    3. Raise your heels as you breathe out by extending your ankles as high as possible and flexing your calf. Ensure that the knee is kept stationary at all times. There should be no bending at any time. Hold the contracted position by a second before you start to go back down.
    4. Go back slowly to the starting position as you breathe in by lowering your heels as you bend the ankles until calves are stretched.
    5. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: calves, the same as the Donkey Calf Raise
    • Equipment: a machine, not bodyweight only
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Donkey Calf Raise
  4. Band Two Legs Calf Raise - (Band Under Both Legs)Play demonstration

    4. Band Two Legs Calf Raise - (Band Under Both Legs)

    88% match
    • Calves
    • Band
    • Beginner
    • Isolation

    A good swap when you have a band to work with, and it still works the calves.

    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and place a resistance band under both feet.
    2. Hold the ends of the band with your hands for stability.
    3. Raise your heels off the ground as high as possible, using your calves.
    4. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your heels back down to the starting position.
    5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: calves, the same as the Donkey Calf Raise
    • Equipment: a band, not bodyweight only
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Donkey Calf Raise
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Donkey Calf Raise
  5. Cable Standing Calf RaisePlay demonstration

    5. Cable Standing Calf Raise

    86% match
    • Calves
    • Cable
    • Intermediate
    • Isolation

    A good swap when you have a cable machine to work with, and it still works the calves.

    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand facing a cable machine with your feet shoulder-width apart.
    2. Hold onto the cable machine handles or attach a cable ankle strap to your ankles.
    3. Raise your heels off the ground by extending your ankles as high as possible.
    4. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your heels back down to the starting position.
    5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: calves, the same as the Donkey Calf Raise
    • Equipment: a cable, not bodyweight only
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Donkey Calf Raise
  6. Lever Donkey Calf RaisePlay demonstration

    6. Lever Donkey Calf Raise

    86% match
    • Calves
    • Lever
    • Intermediate
    • Isolation
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Adjust the leverage machine to the appropriate height for your body.
    2. Position yourself facing the machine, with your toes on the foot platform and your heels hanging off the edge.
    3. Place your hands on the handles or the support bars for stability.
    4. Engage your calves and lift your heels as high as possible, using the balls of your feet.
    5. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your heels back down to the starting position.
    6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: calves, the same as the Donkey Calf Raise
    • Equipment: a machine, not bodyweight only
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Donkey Calf Raise
  7. Sled Forward Angled Calf RaisePlay demonstration

    7. Sled Forward Angled Calf Raise

    85% match
    • Calves
    • Sled
    • Intermediate
    • Isolation

    A good swap when you have a sled to work with, and it still works the calves.

    How to perform this exercise
    1. Adjust the sled machine to a comfortable weight and position yourself on the machine with your toes on the platform and your heels hanging off.
    2. Place your hands on the handles or the sides of the machine for support.
    3. Engage your calves and slowly raise your heels as high as possible, pushing against the resistance of the sled.
    4. Pause for a moment at the top of the movement, then slowly lower your heels back down to the starting position.
    5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: calves, the same as the Donkey Calf Raise
    • Equipment: a machine, not bodyweight only
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Donkey Calf Raise
  8. Smith Machine Calf Raise

    8. Smith Machine Calf Raise

    85% match
    • Calves
    • Machine
    • Beginner
    • Isolation
    How to perform this exercise
    1. 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.
    2. Take the bar with both hands facing forward. Rotate the bar to unrack it. This will be your starting position.
    3. 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.
    4. Return slowly to the starting position as you breathe in while lowering your heels.
    5. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: calves, the same as the Donkey Calf Raise
    • Equipment: a machine, not bodyweight only
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Donkey Calf Raise
  9. Smith Machine Reverse Calf Raises

    9. Smith Machine Reverse Calf Raises

    85% match
    • Calves
    • Smith-machine
    • Beginner
    • Isolation
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Adjust the barbell on the smith machine to fit your height and align a raised platform right under the bar.
    2. Stand on the platform with the heels of your feet secured on top of it with the balls of your feet extending off it. Position your toes facing forward with a shoulder width stance.
    3. Now, place your shoulders under the barbell while maintaining the foot positioning described and push the barbell up by extending your hips and knees until your torso is standing erect. The knees should be kept with a slight bend; never locked. This will be your starting position. Tip: The barbell on your back is only for balance purposes.
    4. Raise the balls of your feet as you breathe out by extending your toes as high as possible and flexing your calf. Ensure that the knee is kept stationary at all times. There should be no bending at any time. Hold the contracted position for a second before you start to go back down.
    5. Slowly go back down to the starting position as you breathe in by lowering the balls of your feet and toes.
    6. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: calves, the same as the Donkey Calf Raise
    • Equipment: a machine, not bodyweight only
  10. Calf Raise On A Dumbbell

    10. Calf Raise On A Dumbbell

    84% match
    • Calves
    • Dumbbell
    • Beginner
    • Isolation
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Hang on to a sturdy object for balance and stand on a dumbbell handle, preferably one with round plates so that it rolls as in this manner you have to work harder to stabilize yourself; thus increasing the effectiveness of the exercise.
    2. Now roll your foot slightly forward so that you can get a nice stretch of the calf. This will be your starting position.
    3. Lift the calf as you roll your foot over the top of the handle so that you get a full extension. Exhale during the execution of this movement. Contract the calf hard at the top and hold for a second. Tip: As you come up, roll the dumbbell slightly backward.
    4. Now inhale as you roll the dumbbell slightly forward as you come down to get a better stretch.
    5. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: calves, the same as the Donkey Calf Raise
    • Equipment: free weights, not bodyweight only
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Donkey Calf Raise
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Donkey Calf Raise

Donkey Calf Raise FAQ

What muscles does Donkey Calf Raise work?

The Donkey Calf Raise primarily targets the gastrocnemius with secondary activation of the soleus and tibialis posterior for stabilization. Because the hips are flexed, the exercise emphasizes plantarflexion torque through the ankle, increasing gastrocnemius recruitment when the knee is kept straight.

What is the best bodyweight alternative to Donkey Calf Raise?

The single-leg standing calf raise on a step is the best bodyweight alternative: it increases load per limb and improves balance. Cue it by driving through the big toe, pausing 1 second at the top, and lowering with a 2–3 second eccentric to maximize gastrocnemius activation.

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