10 Best Lever Seated Calf Raise Alternatives for Home & Gym

Ranked Lever Seated Calf Raise Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Lever Seated 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. Harder versions are tagged as progressions and kept out of the top spot even when they score higher.

1. Best match

   

   1. Seated Calf Raise

   99% 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. Sit on the machine and place your toes on the lower portion of the platform provided with the heels extending off. Choose the toe positioning of your choice (forward, in, or out) as per the beginning of this chapter.
   2. Place your lower thighs under the lever pad, which will need to be adjusted according to the height of your thighs. Now place your hands on top of the lever pad in order to prevent it from slipping forward.
   3. Lift the lever slightly by pushing your heels up and release the safety bar. This will be your starting position.
   4. Slowly lower your heels by bending at the ankles until the calves are fully stretched. Inhale as you perform this movement.
   5. Raise the heels by extending the ankles as high as possible as you contract the calves and breathe out. Hold the top contraction for a second.
   6. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

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

   Why this matches

   • Movement: raise, the same as the Lever Seated Calf Raise
   • Primary muscle: calves, the same as the Lever Seated Calf Raise
   • Equipment: a machine, the same as the Lever Seated Calf Raise
   • Body position: seated, the same as the Lever Seated Calf Raise
2. Play demonstration

   2. Lever Seated Squat Calf Raise On Leg Press Machine

   95% match

   • Calves
   • Lever
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   It uses the same equipment and still works the calves.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Adjust the seat of the leg press machine so that your knees are slightly bent when your feet are on the footplate.
   2. Sit on the machine with your back against the backrest and your feet flat on the footplate, shoulder-width apart.
   3. Place your toes and the balls of your feet on the footplate, keeping your heels off the edge.
   4. Release the safety handles and push the footplate away from you by extending your knees.
   5. Once your knees are fully extended, slowly lower your heels by flexing your calves.
   6. Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push the footplate back up by extending your calves.
   7. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

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

   Why this matches

   • Movement: raise, the same as the Lever Seated Calf Raise
   • Primary muscle: calves, the same as the Lever Seated Calf Raise
   • Equipment: a machine, the same as the Lever Seated Calf Raise
   • Body position: seated, the same as the Lever Seated Calf Raise
3. Play demonstration

   3. Sled Calf Press On Leg Press

   95% match

   • Calves
   • Sled
   • Beginner
   • 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 seat of the leg press machine so that your knees are slightly bent when your feet are on the sled.
   2. Place your feet shoulder-width apart on the sled, with your toes pointing forward.
   3. Release the safety handles and push the sled away from you by extending your knees and ankles.
   4. Pause for a moment at the top of the movement, then slowly lower the sled back down by bending your knees and ankles.
   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 Lever Seated Calf Raise
   • Equipment: a machine, the same as the Lever Seated Calf Raise
   • Body position: seated, the same as the Lever Seated Calf Raise
4. Play demonstration

   4. Hack Calf Raise

   92% match

   • Calves
   • Machine
   • Intermediate
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Adjust the sled machine to a comfortable weight.
   2. Stand on the sled machine with your toes on the platform and your heels hanging off.
   3. Hold onto the handles for stability.
   4. Raise your heels as high as possible by pushing through 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

   • Movement: raise, the same as the Lever Seated Calf Raise
   • Primary muscle: calves, the same as the Lever Seated Calf Raise
   • Equipment: a machine, the same as the Lever Seated Calf Raise
   • Body position: standing, not seated
5. Play demonstration

   5. Smith Reverse Calf Raises

   92% match

   • Calves
   • Smith-machine
   • Intermediate
   • Isolation

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

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Adjust the smith machine bar to a height just below your shoulders.
   2. Stand facing the bar with your feet hip-width apart and toes pointing forward.
   3. Place the balls of your feet on the edge of a step or platform, with your heels hanging off.
   4. Hold onto the bar for support, keeping your back straight and core engaged.
   5. Raise your heels as high as possible, lifting your body weight onto the balls of your feet.
   6. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your heels back down to the starting position.
   7. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

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

   Why this matches

   • Movement: raise, the same as the Lever Seated Calf Raise
   • Primary muscle: calves, the same as the Lever Seated Calf Raise
   • Equipment: a machine, the same as the Lever Seated Calf Raise
   • Body position: standing, not seated
6. Play demonstration

   Progression

   6. Lever Standing Calf Raise

   91% match

   • Calves
   • Lever
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   Pick this when you want a harder version that still works the calves.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Adjust the machine to your height and stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.
   2. Place your shoulders under the pads and hold onto the handles for stability.
   3. Raise your heels as high as possible by extending your ankles.
   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

   • Movement: raise, the same as the Lever Seated Calf Raise
   • Primary muscle: calves, the same as the Lever Seated Calf Raise
   • Equipment: a machine, the same as the Lever Seated Calf Raise
   • Body position: standing, not seated
7. 

   7. Donkey Calf Raises

   91% match

   • Calves
   • Other
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   A straight swap when you want to keep working the calves.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. For this exercise you will need access to a donkey calf raise machine. Start by positioning your lower back and hips under the padded lever provided. The tailbone area should be the one making contact with the pad.
   2. Place both of your arms on the side handles and place the balls of your feet on the calf block with the heels extending off. Align the toes forward, inward or outward, depending on the area you wish to target, and straighten the knees without locking them. 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

   • Movement: raise, the same as the Lever Seated Calf Raise
   • Primary muscle: calves, the same as the Lever Seated Calf Raise
   • Equipment: a machine, the same as the Lever Seated Calf Raise
   • Body position: standing, not seated
8. Play demonstration

   8. Smith Toe Raise

   88% match

   • Calves
   • Smith-machine
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Adjust the smith machine bar to a height that allows you to comfortably stand with your feet flat on the ground.
   2. Position yourself under the bar with your shoulders directly below it and your feet shoulder-width apart.
   3. Place the balls of your feet on a raised platform or weight plates, with your heels hanging off the edge.
   4. Grasp the bar with an overhand grip, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
   5. Engage your core and keep your back straight throughout the exercise.
   6. Slowly raise your heels as high as possible, lifting your body weight onto the balls of your feet.
   7. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your heels back down to the starting position.
   8. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

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

   Why this matches

   • Movement: raise, the same as the Lever Seated Calf Raise
   • Primary muscle: calves, the same as the Lever Seated Calf Raise
   • Equipment: a machine, the same as the Lever Seated Calf Raise
   • Body position: standing, not seated
9. Play demonstration

   9. Dumbbell Seated Calf Raise

   88% match

   • Calves
   • Dumbbell
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Sit on a bench or chair with your feet flat on the ground and a dumbbell resting on your thighs.
   2. Place the balls of your feet on a raised surface such as a step or block, with your heels hanging off the edge.
   3. Hold onto the dumbbell for stability.
   4. Raise your heels as high as possible, lifting your body weight onto 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

   • Movement: raise, the same as the Lever Seated Calf Raise
   • Primary muscle: calves, the same as the Lever Seated Calf Raise
   • Equipment: free weights, not a machine
   • Body position: seated, the same as the Lever Seated Calf Raise
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Lever Seated Calf Raise
10. Play demonstration

    10. Smith Seated One Leg Calf Raise

    88% match

    • Calves
    • Smith-machine
    • Intermediate
    • Isolation

    How to perform this exercise

    1. Sit on the machine with your back against the pad and your feet on the footrest.
    2. Place one leg on the footrest and keep the other leg off the footrest.
    3. Using your calf muscles, raise your heel as high as possible.
    4. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your heel back down to the starting position.
    5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions, then switch legs and repeat.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps on each side.

    Why this matches

    • Movement: raise, the same as the Lever Seated Calf Raise
    • Primary muscle: calves, the same as the Lever Seated Calf Raise
    • Equipment: a machine, the same as the Lever Seated Calf Raise
    • Body position: seated, the same as the Lever Seated Calf Raise