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FitCi › Exercise Guide › Dumbbell Seated One-Leg Calf Raise

How to do Dumbbell Seated One-Leg Calf Raise

Primary muscle: Calves

CalvesBeginnerDumbbellIsolation
Dumbbell Seated One-Leg Calf Raise start and end positionDumbbell Seated One-Leg Calf Raise start and end position

Dumbbell Seated One-Leg 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: dumbbell. Difficulty: beginner, suitable for beginners. It takes 5 steps; the most common mistake is covered in the tip below.

Step-by-step

  1. Sit on a bench with the ball of one foot on a block or plate
  2. Rest a dumbbell on that leg's knee
  3. Let the heel sink as low as possible
  4. Drive through the ball of the foot to lift the heel as high as you can
  5. Squeeze for one second at the top; finish the reps, then switch legs

Coaching tip

Working one leg closes the size gap between your calves; start with the weaker side.

Caution

Skip this move or ask a professional first if you have pain or an injury in: ankle. FitCi filters it out of your program automatically based on the injuries in your profile.

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.