Lying Machine Calf Press
Also known as: lying calf press, machine calf press, lying calf press machine
- Primary muscleCalves
- EquipmentSled Machine
- DifficultyBeginner
- TypeCompound · Push
- Secondary muscles
- Hamstrings, Glutes
- Body part
- Lower Legs
- Position
- Lying
- Laterality
- Bilateral (both sides together)
- Category
- Strength
Track this exercise in SetGrip — no account needed
Lying flat under the sled changes little about the calf contraction itself, but it removes axial load from the spine and gives your torso a pad to brace against. With the knees nearly straight, the gastrocnemius does the pressing, so pair it with a bent-knee seated calf raise to give the soleus its share of the work.
How to do the Lying Machine Calf Press
- Adjust the sled machine to a comfortable weight.
- Sit on the sled machine with your back against the pad and your feet on the platform.
- Place your toes and the balls of your feet on the edge of the platform, with your heels hanging off.
- Push the platform away from you by extending your ankles, keeping your knees slightly bent.
- Continue pushing until your calves are fully contracted.
- Hold the contraction for a moment, then slowly lower the platform back to the starting position.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Tip: Squeeze the bar hard and keep the wrists straight over the elbows through the whole rep.
Muscles worked
Primary
Calves · Legs
On push press variations the calves add drive from the legs at the start of the press.
Secondary
Common mistakes
- Elbows flaring wide — on horizontal presses keep the elbows at roughly 45 degrees from the torso; pressing overhead, keep them under the weight instead.
- Losing the shoulder blade position — on bench-style presses set the shoulder blades back and down and keep them there; overhead, let the shoulder blades rotate up naturally with the arms.
- Bouncing or rushing the bottom — control the bar down and pause for a beat before driving up, especially on decline and close grip variations.
- Not committing to a variation — Bradford presses, skull presses and the like are hybrids; pick a fixed range and stick with it for the whole set.
Where it fits in a workout
Presses are the main movement in a push session and should go first or second. Superset them with a row or pulldown for a push and pull pair.
How many sets, how heavy and how hard: see what the ACSM position stands support.
Variations and alternatives
Similar exercises
Without sled machine
When to talk to someone
- Chest discomfort, feeling faint or lightheaded, or trouble breathing during or after exercise can be signs of a heart attack. In the US, call 911 right away; elsewhere, call your local emergency number.
- Heart, metabolic or kidney disease, or symptoms like these when you are active: talk to your doctor before you start or step up training.
- Pregnant: ask your obstetric care provider which exercise suits you.
Track the Lying Machine Calf Press in SetGrip
All 1,100+ exercises with animations are in the app. No account, no sign-up — your history stays on your iPhone and in your private iCloud. Works with Apple Watch.
More exercises
Sources
- ACSM position stand on exercise quantity and quality (Garber et al., 2011)
- ACSM preparticipation health screening (Riebe et al., 2015)
- ACOG Committee Opinion No. 804 on exercise in pregnancy (2020)
- CDC: About Heart Attack Symptoms, Risk, and Recovery (2024)
Sources checked on October 17, 2026. Full citations are in the exercise library.
Animation and exercise data: ExerciseDB, licensed to SetGrip. General information, not medical or coaching advice.