Legs · Bodyweight
Donkey Calf Raise
How to do the donkey calf raise, the muscles it works, and the mistakes to avoid. Pulled straight from the Kovo app's exercise library.
- Equipment
- Bodyweight
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Logged as
- Reps
- Movement
- Extension
- Mechanic
- Isolation
How to do it
Stand on the edge of a raised platform and hinge forward at your hips, bracing your upper body on a support or rail. With the balls of your feet on the edge and heels hanging off, raise your heels as high as possible, then lower below the platform for a full stretch.
- 1Feel a deep calf contraction as you lift your heels while hinged
- 2Keep your knees slightly bent and focus on the squeeze up top
- 3Lower slowly to get a full stretch at the bottom
Common mistakes
- Avoid bouncing or jerking out of the bottom
- Do not let your ankles roll; push evenly through the balls of your feet
- Avoid rounding your back; keep a neutral spine in the hinge
Muscles worked
The donkey calf raise mainly works the calves.
- CalvesPrimary
- QuadsMinor
- HamstringsMinor
Kovo programs the donkey calf raise for you and tracks it every session.
We build your whole program, drop the right lifts into each workout, and adjust your weights as you get stronger. Free on iOS and Android.
More calves & shins exercises
- How to do the ankle cars
- How to do the ankle circles
- How to do the ankle rocks
- How to do the resistance band ankle mobilization
- How to do the calf press
- How to do the calf raises with hold
Last reviewed June 2026.