Legs · Machine
Calf Press
How to do the calf press, the muscles it works, and the mistakes to avoid. Pulled straight from the Kovo app's exercise library.
- Equipment
- Machine
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Logged as
- Weighted reps
- Movement
- Calf Raise
- Mechanic
- Isolation
See it in motion
How to do it
Use a leg press machine with your toes on the edge of the platform. Press the weight using your calves, then lower it with control.
- 1Feel the burn in your calves as you press through your big toes
- 2Move through a full range of motion, lifting as high as you can
- 3Keep tension on your calves throughout the press without locking your knees
Common mistakes
- Don't bounce at the bottom or let the weight drop
- Avoid letting your heels dip too far down and straining your Achilles
- Don't lock out your knees at the top
Muscles worked
The calf press mainly works the calves.
- CalvesPrimary
- Upper AbsMinor
- QuadsMinor
- Tibialis AnteriorMinor
Kovo programs the calf press for you and tracks it every session.
The AI builds your whole program, drops the right lifts into each workout, and adjusts your weights as you get stronger. Free on iOS and Android.
More calves exercises
See all calves exercises →Last reviewed April 2026.