10 Best Smith Toe Raise Alternatives for No Smith Machine Access

The Smith Toe Raise is done standing with a Smith machine. Ranked closest by our scoring: the Hack Calf Raise, Donkey Calf Raises and the Lever Standing Calf Raise. Three harder versions, the Smith Standing Leg Calf Raise, Smith Reverse Calf Raises and the Smith One Leg Floor Calf Raise, are listed below as progressions rather than swaps.

Smith Toe RaiseWatch the Smith Toe Raise

Each substitute is scored on movement pattern, muscles worked, equipment and body position. Read how we rank alternatives

How to Do the Smith Toe Raise

The steps for the Smith Toe Raise itself, so you can judge how close each substitute below really is.

Calves, with ankles, shins · Smith-machine · Beginner · Isolation

  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.

The 10 Best Smith Toe Raise Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Smith Toe Raise on movement pattern, muscles worked, equipment and body position. The higher the score, the less you change. Cards with a "How to perform it" link open to show 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.

Each link re-ranks the list below for the kit it names. Pick one to hide the substitutes you cannot set up.

  1. Hack Calf RaisePlay demonstration

    1. Hack Calf Raise

    96% match

    Calves · Intermediate · Isolation

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

    • Machine
    How to perform it
    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 Smith Toe Raise
    • Primary muscle: calves, the same as the Smith Toe Raise
    • Equipment: a machine, the same as the Smith Toe Raise
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Smith Toe Raise
  2. Smith Standing Leg Calf RaisePlay demonstration

    Progression

    2. Smith Standing Leg Calf Raise

    99% match

    Calves · Beginner · Isolation

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

    • Smith-machine
    How to perform it
    1. Adjust the smith machine bar to a height that allows you to stand with your feet flat on the ground and your shoulders under the bar.
    2. Position yourself under the bar with your feet shoulder-width apart and your toes pointing forward.
    3. Place your hands on the bar for stability.
    4. Engage your calves and slowly raise your heels off the ground, lifting your body up onto your toes.
    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 Smith Toe Raise
    • Primary muscle: calves, the same as the Smith Toe Raise
    • Equipment: a machine, the same as the Smith Toe Raise
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Smith Toe Raise
  4. Donkey Calf Raises

    4. Donkey Calf Raises

    95% match

    Calves · Beginner · Isolation

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

    • Other
    How to perform it
    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 Smith Toe Raise
    • Primary muscle: calves, the same as the Smith Toe Raise
    • Equipment: a machine, the same as the Smith Toe Raise
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Smith Toe Raise
  5. Lever Standing Calf RaisePlay demonstration

    5. Lever Standing Calf Raise

    95% match

    Calves · Beginner · Isolation

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

    • Lever
    How to perform it
    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 Smith Toe Raise
    • Primary muscle: calves, the same as the Smith Toe Raise
    • Equipment: a machine, the same as the Smith Toe Raise
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Smith Toe Raise
  6. Smith One Leg Floor Calf RaisePlay demonstration

    Progression

    6. Smith One Leg Floor Calf Raise

    92% match

    Calves · Intermediate · Isolation

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

    • Smith-machine
    How to perform it
    1. Position yourself on the floor under the smith machine bar, facing away from the machine.
    2. Place the balls of your feet on a raised surface, such as a weight plate or block.
    3. Position the smith machine bar across your lower legs, just above your ankles.
    4. Hold onto the bar with your hands for stability.
    5. Raise your heels off the ground by extending your ankles, lifting your body up.
    6. Pause at the top of the movement, 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 on each side.

    Why this matches
    • Movement: raise, the same as the Smith Toe Raise
    • Primary muscle: calves, the same as the Smith Toe Raise
    • Equipment: a machine, the same as the Smith Toe Raise

Why You Might Need a Smith Toe Raise Alternative

You may need substitutes because the Smith-machine isn’t available, causes shoulder or ankle discomfort, or limits natural ankle tracking. Smith toe raises bias a vertical load path and bilateral loading; alternatives let you alter knee angle, unilateral load and ankle dorsiflexion to shift activation between gastrocnemius and soleus. For example, seated calf raises place the knee flexed and emphasize the soleus, while standing single-leg raises increase gastrocnemius demand and stability work. Use a slow eccentric (3 seconds down) and full top contraction cue, hold and squeeze the calf, to protect the Achilles and improve force production.

How to Choose the Right Smith Toe Raise Substitute

Decide by the muscle emphasis you need, available equipment, and whether you require unilateral work. Choose seated variations (dumbbell on thighs or machine) when you want more soleus activation because knee flexion reduces gastrocnemius contribution. Pick standing or single-leg raises to overload the gastrocnemius and train balance. If space is limited, use a heavy band or single-leg step raises to load each calf independently. Prioritize full range of motion, progressive load, and tempo cues: lower slowly for 3 seconds, pause at the bottom, then drive up and squeeze the calf for 1 second to maximize hypertrophy.

Smith Toe Raise FAQ

What muscles does Smith Toe Raise work?

Smith toe raises primarily target the gastrocnemius and secondarily the soleus through repeated ankle plantarflexion. Press through the balls of your feet and squeeze the calves at the top to maximize triceps surae activation while keeping the knee position stable to maintain gastrocnemius tension.

What is the best bodyweight alternative to Smith Toe Raise?

Single-leg calf raises on a step are the best bodyweight alternative: let the heel drop below the step for a full stretch, then drive up and squeeze the calf. Control the eccentric for 3 seconds and focus on pushing through the forefoot to increase load per limb and neuromuscular activation.

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