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Dumbbell Seated One Leg Calf Raise - Palm Up - Bench Variation

The dumbbell seated one leg calf raise - palm up is an isolation exercise targeting the calf muscles, performed while seated with a dumbbell placed on the thigh. It helps build strength and muscle endurance in the calves, with some secondary activation of the hamstrings and glutes.

Quick Facts

Body PartsLower Legs
Target MusclesCalves
Secondary MusclesHamstrings and Glutes
EquipmentDumbbell
DifficultyIntermediate
Exercise TypeStrength
BilateralNo

How to Do Dumbbell Seated One Leg Calf Raise - Palm Up - Bench Variation

Follow these step-by-step instructions to perform Dumbbell Seated One Leg Calf Raise - Palm Up - Bench Variation with proper form and technique.

  1. Sit on a bench or chair with your back straight and your feet flat on the ground.
  2. Hold a dumbbell in one hand and place it on top of your thigh, palm facing up.
  3. Lift one leg off the ground and extend it in front of you, keeping your knee slightly bent.
  4. Raise your heel as high as possible by pushing through the ball of your foot. Perform with bench intensity.
  5. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your heel back down.
  6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions, then switch legs and repeat.

Muscles Worked

Understanding which muscles Dumbbell Seated One Leg Calf Raise - Palm Up - Bench Variation targets helps you integrate it effectively into your training program.

Target Muscles

These are the main muscles responsible for performing the movement and receive the greatest training stimulus.

Calves

Secondary Muscles

These muscles assist in the movement and receive secondary training benefits.

HamstringsGlutes

Benefits of Dumbbell Seated One Leg Calf Raise - Palm Up - Bench Variation

Incorporating Dumbbell Seated One Leg Calf Raise - Palm Up - Bench Variation into your workout routine offers numerous advantages for strength, muscle development, and overall fitness.

  • Calves Development: Dumbbell Seated One Leg Calf Raise - Palm Up - Bench Variation directly targets and strengthens the Calves, promoting muscle growth and improved functional strength.
  • Secondary Muscle Engagement: This exercise also works the Hamstrings and Glutes, providing additional training stimulus without extra exercises.
  • Balanced Development: Dumbbells require each side to work independently, helping correct muscle imbalances and improving overall symmetry.
  • Functional Strength: Strength exercises like Dumbbell Seated One Leg Calf Raise - Palm Up - Bench Variation build real-world strength that transfers to daily activities and athletic performance.
  • Corrects Imbalances: As a unilateral exercise, it helps identify and correct strength imbalances between sides of the body.

Safety Tips and Precautions

Performing Dumbbell Seated One Leg Calf Raise - Palm Up - Bench Variation safely is essential for preventing injuries and ensuring long-term progress.

  • Warm Up Properly: Before performing Dumbbell Seated One Leg Calf Raise - Palm Up - Bench Variation, complete 5-10 minutes of light cardio followed by dynamic stretches targeting the Calves and surrounding muscles.
  • Prioritize Form Over Weight: Never sacrifice proper technique for heavier weights. Poor form significantly increases injury risk and reduces the exercise's effectiveness.
  • Control the Weights: Always maintain full control of the dumbbells. Avoid swinging or using momentum, and never drop dumbbells from height.
  • Knee Safety: Keep your knees tracking in line with your toes throughout the movement. Don't let them cave inward.
  • Respect Your Range of Motion: Work within your current mobility limits. Gradually improve flexibility over time rather than forcing deeper positions.
  • Don't Hold Your Breath: Maintain consistent breathing throughout the exercise. Exhale during the exertion phase and inhale during the easier phase.
  • Know When to Stop: End your set when you can no longer maintain proper form. Training to absolute failure on every set increases injury risk.
  • Allow Adequate Recovery: The Calves typically need 48-72 hours to recover after intense training. Avoid training the same muscle group on consecutive days.

Tracking Your Progress

To make consistent gains with Dumbbell Seated One Leg Calf Raise - Palm Up - Bench Variation, track these metrics during your workouts:

Sets

Track the number of sets you complete. Most training programs recommend 3-5 sets per exercise.

Reps

Record your repetitions per set. Adjust rep ranges based on your goals: 1-5 for strength, 6-12 for hypertrophy, 12+ for endurance.

Weight

Log the weight used for progressive overload. Aim to gradually increase weight while maintaining proper form.

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