Smith Machine Calf Raise
Muscles worked: Calves.
How to do it
- Set the Smith bar on your upper back and place a step or plate under the bar.
- Put the balls of your feet on the step with your heels hanging off.
- Unrack and let the heels sink into a deep stretch.
- Drive up onto the toes and squeeze hard at the top.
- The fixed bar path lets you push closer to failure safely, so take the set deep.
Coaching cues
The two cues IronPack shows on this exercise's card mid-workout:
- Fixed bar path means you can push closer to failure
- Balls of the feet raised, deep stretch each rep
Logging it
IronPack suggests working in the 10 to 15 rep range, progressing in 5 kg jumps when you own the top of the range. Records are tracked automatically at every rep count from 1 to 12. Loading the bar? Use the plate calculator, and check your estimated 1RM from any hard set.
Related exercises
- Standing Calf Raise - calves
- Seated Calf Raise - calves
- Barbell Standing Calf Raise - calves
- Donkey Calf Raise - calves
Track the smith machine calf raise properly
IronPack logs every set, tracks your records at every rep count, shows these form photos mid-workout, and turns the training into a card game you play with your mates.
Get IronPack free on the App StoreFree download, iPhone. Available worldwide on the App Store.
Steps, cues, muscle weighting and logging guidance are IronPack's own app data. Last generated 2026-08-16.