Dumbbell Standing Calf Raise
A standing calf exercise where you hold dumbbells at your sides and raise your heels to train the calves and ankles.
Secondary muscles
How to do it
- Stand upright with a dumbbell in each hand and place your feet about hip-width apart.
- Let your arms hang by your sides and keep your knees softly bent.
- Press through the balls of your feet and lift your heels as high as you can.
- Pause briefly at the top while staying tall through your torso.
- Lower your heels back to the floor with control and repeat.
Form cues
- Rise straight up
- Press through big toe
- Control the lowering
- Keep torso tall
Common mistakes
- Bouncing at the bottom instead of lowering under control
- Rolling the ankles outward or inward
- Bending the knees to turn it into a squat
- Leaning the torso forward as the heels lift
Breathing
Inhale as you lower your heels, and exhale as you press up onto your toes.
