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FitCi › Exercise Guide › Banded Calf Raise

How to do Banded Calf Raise

Primary muscle: Calves

CalvesBeginnerResistance bandIsolation
Banded Calf Raise start and end positionBanded Calf Raise start and end position

Banded Calf Raise is an isolation exercise for the calves: one joint works, so it comes after the compound lifts to finish the target muscle. Equipment: resistance band. Difficulty: beginner, suitable for beginners. It takes 5 steps; the most common mistake is covered in the tip below.

Step-by-step

  1. Step on the middle of the band with the front of both feet and gather the ends in your palms.
  2. Hold the band ends at shoulder height; in this position the band should be slightly taut.
  3. Keep your torso upright and your knees slightly bent.
  4. Drive through the balls of your feet to raise your heels as high as possible.
  5. Squeeze for 1 second at the top, then slowly lower your heels to the ground.

Coaching tip

Keep the band under tension even at the very top; squeeze your calves at the highest point you can lift your heels to.

How to program it

Sets × reps and rest by goal; tempo and controlled reps matter most on isolation work. Start at the bottom of the range in week one; add 2.5–5% when you hit the top with clean form.

GoalSets × RepsRest
Strength3 × 6-8120 s
Muscle gain3 × 10-1575 s
Fat loss / conditioning3 × 12-1560 s

FitCi applies this table to your age and goal automatically and writes weekly progression.

Alternatives

More calves exercises

Add this exercise to your program

Build your own program in FitCi, pick an expert template, or photograph the plan your coach gave you; the app tracks sets, reps and weight.