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Exercise guide
Hack Squat Calf Raise
A calf raise performed in the hack squat machine, loading the calves heavily without balancing a bar.
What this exercise works
- Muscles
- gastrocnemius · soleus
- Goals
- hypertrophy
- Equipment
- Hack squat machine
- Category
- Strength
- Difficulty
- intermediate
Demonstration
Step 1
Step 2
How to perform the movement
- Load yourself into a hack squat machine with shoulders under the pads.
- Place the balls of your feet on the platform with heels hanging off.
- Keep your legs straight with a slight knee bend.
- Press through the balls of your feet to raise your heels.
- Lower your heels back below the platform for a stretch.
- Repeat for the desired number of reps.
Technique cues and common mistakes
- Rise as high onto the balls of your feet as possible.
- Pause in the bottom stretch instead of bouncing out of it.
- Keep your knees straight but not locked to keep tension on the calves.