Exercise

Rocking Standing Calf Raise

Also known as: rocking calf raise, barbell rocking calf raise, alternating heel toe raise

Rocking Standing Calf Raise — position 1Rocking Standing Calf Raise — position 2

Rocking Standing Calf Raise is a isolation exercise for the calves. Main target: medial gastrocnemius and lateral gastrocnemius. Also works: soleus and tibialis anterior. Equipment: barbell.

EquipmentBarbell
TypeIsolation
MovementPush
CategoryStrength

Muscles worked

How to do it

  1. This exercise is best performed inside a squat rack for safety purposes. To begin, first set the bar on a rack that best matches your height. Once the correct height is chosen and the bar is loaded, step under the bar and place it on the back of your shoulders (slightly below the neck).
  2. Hold on to the bar using both arms at each side and lift it off the rack by first pushing with your legs and at the same time straightening your torso.
  3. Step away from the rack and position your legs using a shoulder width medium stance with the toes slightly pointed out. Keep your head up at all times as looking down will get you off balance. Also maintain a straight back and keep the knees with a slight bend; never locked. This will be your starting position.
  4. 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 (other than the slight initial bend we created during positioning) at any time. Hold the contracted position by a second before you start to go back down.
  5. Go back slowly to the starting position as you breathe in by lowering your heels as you bend the ankles until calves are stretched.
  6. Now lift your toes by contracting the tibia muscles in the front of the calves as you breathe out.
  7. Hold for a second and bring them back down as you breathe in.
  8. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Similar exercises

Standing Barbell Calf Raise
Barbell
Medial gastrocnemiusLateral gastrocnemius
Barbell Seated Calf Raise
Barbell
Soleus

Alternatives with other equipment

Standing Calf Raises
Machine
Medial gastrocnemiusLateral gastrocnemius
Standing Dumbbell Calf Raise
Dumbbell
Medial gastrocnemiusLateral gastrocnemius
Calf Raises - With Bands
Bands
Medial gastrocnemiusLateral gastrocnemius
Donkey Calf Raises
Other
Medial gastrocnemiusLateral gastrocnemius
Smith Machine Calf Raise
Smith machine
Medial gastrocnemiusLateral gastrocnemius
Cable Single-Leg Calf Raise
Cable
Medial gastrocnemiusLateral gastrocnemius
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