Calf exercises
25 exercises in GymVim train the calves as their primary muscle. 21 are rated beginner, 3 intermediate and 1 advanced.
Exercises
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Other muscles
- Glutes, 125 exercises
- Quads, 122 exercises
- Abs, 70 exercises
- Lats, 68 exercises
- Front Delts, 65 exercises
- Chest, 63 exercises
- Traps, 39 exercises
- Hamstrings, 38 exercises
- Biceps, 31 exercises
- Triceps, 30 exercises
- Side Delts, 17 exercises
- Forearms, 16 exercises
- Upper Back, 13 exercises
- Rear Delts, 11 exercises
- Adductors, 9 exercises
- Lower Back, 8 exercises
About the calves
Two muscles do most of the work in the lower leg. The gastrocnemius is the visible one, with two heads that originate above the knee on the femur. The soleus lies underneath it, is broader and flatter, and originates below the knee on the shin bones. Both feed into the Achilles tendon and point the foot downwards, an action called plantarflexion.
The difference in where they start is the whole reason calf training splits into two positions. Because the gastrocnemius crosses the knee, bending the knee shortens it and takes it out of the movement, which leaves the soleus to do the work. That is what a seated calf raise does. Standing raises keep the knee straight and let the gastrocnemius contribute fully. Training only one position trains only part of the lower leg.
Good to know
- How many calf exercises does GymVim have?
- 25 exercises train the calves as their primary muscle. Every one has a video, step-by-step instructions and the mistakes people actually make, free in the app.
- What equipment do calf exercises need?
- The most common are bodyweight, machine, dumbbell, resistance band. 12 of the 25 need no equipment at all.
- Are there beginner calf exercises?
- Yes. 21 of the 25 are rated beginner, 3 intermediate and 1 advanced. The filters at the top of this page narrow the list to one level.