10 Best Weighted Donkey Calf Raise Alternatives for Limited Gear

Ranked Weighted Donkey Calf Raise Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Weighted 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

   Play demonstration

   1. Donkey Calf Raise

   84% match

   • Calves
   • Bodyweight
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   Pick this when you want an easier version that still works the calves.

   How to perform this exercise

   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.

   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 Weighted Donkey Calf Raise
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Weighted Donkey Calf Raise
   • Balance: easier to stay steady on than the Weighted Donkey Calf Raise
2. Play demonstration

   2. Bodyweight Standing Calf Raise

   83% match

   • Calves
   • Bodyweight
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   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 Weighted Donkey Calf Raise
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Weighted Donkey Calf Raise
   • Balance: easier to stay steady on than the Weighted Donkey Calf Raise
3. Play demonstration

   3. Standing Calf Raise (On A Staircase)

   69% match

   • Calves
   • Bodyweight
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand on the edge of a step or a sturdy platform with your heels hanging off and your toes on the step.
   2. Hold onto a railing or wall for balance if needed.
   3. Slowly 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.

   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 Weighted Donkey Calf Raise
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Weighted Donkey Calf Raise
4. Play demonstration

   4. Standing Calves

   69% match

   • Calves
   • Bodyweight
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, toes pointing forward.
   2. Raise your heels off the ground as high as possible, standing on your toes.
   3. Hold the position for a moment, then slowly lower your heels back down to the starting position.
   4. 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 Weighted Donkey Calf Raise
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Weighted Donkey Calf Raise
5. Play demonstration

   5. Quads

   69% match

   • Quads
   • Bodyweight
   • Beginner
   • Compound

   A looser match: it works the quads rather than the calves.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.
   2. Lower your body by bending your knees and pushing your hips back as if sitting on a chair.
   3. Keep your chest up and your back straight.
   4. Lower yourself until your thighs are parallel to the ground.
   5. Push through your heels to return to the starting position.
   6. 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: quads, not calves
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Weighted Donkey Calf Raise
6. 

   6. Frog Hops

   65% match

   • Quads
   • Bodyweight
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand with your hands behind your head, and squat down keeping your torso upright and your head up. This will be your starting position.
   2. Jump forward several feet, avoiding jumping unnecessarily high. As your feet contact the ground, absorb the impact through your legs, and jump again. Repeat this action 5-10 times.

   Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: quads, not calves
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Weighted Donkey Calf Raise
7. 

   7. Bench Jump

   64% match

   • Quads
   • Bodyweight
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Begin with a box or bench 1-2 feet in front of you. Stand with your feet shoulder width apart. This will be your starting position.
   2. Perform a short squat in preparation for the jump; swing your arms behind you.
   3. Rebound out of this position, extending through the hips, knees, and ankles to jump as high as possible. Swing your arms forward and up.
   4. Jump over the bench, landing with the knees bent, absorbing the impact through the legs.
   5. Turn around and face the opposite direction, then jump back over the bench.

   Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: quads, not calves
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Weighted Donkey Calf Raise
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Weighted Donkey Calf Raise
8. 

   8. Knee Tuck Jump

   64% match

   • Hamstrings
   • Bodyweight
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Begin in a comfortable standing position with your knees slightly bent. Hold your hands in front of you, palms down with your fingertips together at chest height. This will be your starting position.
   2. Rapidly dip down into a quarter squat and immediately explode upward. Drive the knees towards the chest, attempting to touch them to the palms of the hands.
   3. Jump as high as you can, raising your knees up, and then ensure a good land be re-extending your legs, absorbing impact through be allowing the knees to rebend.

   Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: hamstrings, not calves
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Weighted Donkey Calf Raise
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Weighted Donkey Calf Raise
9. Play demonstration

   9. Squat To Overhead Reach

   64% match

   • Quads
   • Bodyweight
   • Beginner
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and toes slightly turned out.
   2. Lower your body down into a squat position by bending your knees and pushing your hips back.
   3. As you come up from the squat, extend your arms overhead, reaching towards the ceiling.
   4. Return to the starting position by lowering your arms and bending your knees to squat down again.
   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: quads, not calves
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Weighted Donkey Calf Raise
10. 

    10. Rocket Jump

    63% match

    • Quads
    • Bodyweight
    • Advanced
    • Compound

    How to perform this exercise

    1. Begin in a relaxed stance with your feet shoulder width apart and hold your arms close to the body.
    2. To initiate the move, squat down halfway and explode back up as high as possible.
    3. Fully extend your entire body, reaching overhead as far as possible. As you land, absorb your impact through the legs.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

    Why this matches

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