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Kettlebell Calf Raise 7s · no sound

Kettlebell Calf Raise

A standing calf raise loaded with a kettlebell — direct calf isolation for any leg-day finisher block.

Primary muscle
Calves
Equipment
Kettlebell
Difficulty
Beginner
Movement
Isolation
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How to do it

  1. Stand tall with your feet hip-width apart, holding a kettlebell at your side or in front at chest height.
  2. Place the balls of your feet on a small step or platform with your heels hanging just off the edge.
  3. Brace your core and keep your knees soft but straight throughout the entire rep.
  4. Press up onto the balls of your feet by squeezing your calves and lifting your heels as high as possible.
  5. Pause for a count at the top with the calves fully contracted and your weight balanced.
  6. Lower your heels slowly below the platform over 2 to 3 seconds for a deep stretch, then drive back up.

Common mistakes

  • Bouncing through the bottom of each rep, which uses tendon recoil instead of working the calf muscle.
  • Cutting the range short at the top, which leaves out the peak contraction where the calves grow.
  • Bending the knees mid-rep, which shifts work to the soleus only and reduces the gastrocnemius work.
  • Tipping forward at the hips for momentum instead of staying tall and pressing straight up.

Muscles worked

Primary
Calves

Same movement, other equipment

Banded Eccentric Tibialis Raise Beginner Banded Eccentric Tibialis Raise Calves Resistance band Bent-Knee Soleus Raise Beginner Bent-Knee Soleus Raise Calves Bodyweight Bodyweight Donkey Calf Raise Beginner Bodyweight Donkey Calf Raise Calves Bodyweight Calf Press Beginner Calf Press Calves Machine

Plans that include the Kettlebell Calf Raise

Kettlebell Strength
Kettlebell Strength
Days a week
3× a week
Session
~45 min
Level
Intermediate
Equipment
Gym

Similar exercises

Dumbbell Single Leg Calf Raise Beginner Dumbbell Single Leg Calf Raise Calves Dumbbell Dumbbell Tibialis Raise Beginner Dumbbell Tibialis Raise Calves Dumbbell Eccentric Calf Lowers Beginner Eccentric Calf Lowers Calves Bodyweight Heel and Toe Walks Beginner Heel and Toe Walks Calves Bodyweight Leg Press Calf Raise Beginner Leg Press Calf Raise Calves Machine

Good to know

What muscles does the Kettlebell Calf Raise work?
Mainly the calves.
What equipment do you need for the Kettlebell Calf Raise?
It uses a kettlebell. Without it, the Banded Eccentric Tibialis Raise and the Bent-Knee Soleus Raise train the same muscles the same way.
Is the Kettlebell Calf Raise good for beginners?
GymVim rates it beginner.

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