Smith toe raise

What it works

Primary muscle

Calves

Equipment

Smith machine

Movement

Legs

Type

Isolation

Logged as

Weight × reps

Suggested rest

90 seconds

How to do it

1. 1Adjust the smith machine bar to a height that allows you to comfortably stand with your feet flat on the ground.
2. 2Position yourself under the bar with your shoulders directly below it and your feet shoulder-width apart.
3. 3Place the balls of your feet on a raised platform or weight plates, with your heels hanging off the edge.
4. 4Grasp the bar with an overhand grip, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
5. 5Engage your core and keep your back straight throughout the exercise.
6. 6Slowly raise your heels as high as possible, lifting your body weight onto the balls of your feet.
7. 7Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your heels back down to the starting position.
8. 8Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

What to do instead

• Bodyweight standing calf raiseBodyweight
• One leg floor calf raiseBodyweight
• Standing calf raise (on a staircase)Bodyweight
• Donkey calf raiseBodyweight
• Dumbbell standing calf raiseDumbbell
• Smith standing leg calf raiseSmith machine

Harder variations

• Smith one leg floor calf raiseSmith machine
• Smith seated one leg calf raiseSmith machine
• Band single leg calf raiseResistance band
• Cable standing one leg calf raiseCable

More Legs exercises

• 90/90 hip stretchBodyweight
• 90/90 hip switchBodyweight
• All fours squad stretchBodyweight
• Ankle circlesBodyweight
• Aqua cyclingMachine
• Arms apart circular toe touchBodyweight