Barbell Squat vs Calf Raise
Which one fits your Leg workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Barbell Squat more often — 26,460 sessions vs 1,215. Compare Leg form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Barbell Squat and Calf Raise and pick the one that fits your Leg workout.
Barbell Squat vs Calf Raise: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Barbell Squat more often — 26,460 sessions compared to 1,215 for Calf Raise.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Barbell Squat and Calf Raise differ in the muscles they work, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Barbell Squat and Calf Raise Differ
| What differs | Barbell Squat | Calf Raise |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | quads, hamstrings, and glutes | calves, hamstrings, and glutes |
| Equipment | a barbell | bodyweight only |
| Difficulty | 3 of 5 | 5 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 26,460 sessions | 1,215 sessions |
How to Do Barbell Squat
Barbell Squat Muscles Worked: Leg
Form
- 1. Tighten your abdomen and keep your back straight, then bend at the hip to lower your buttocks down.
- 2. Allow your knees to bend naturally until your thighs are parallel to the ground.
- 3. Push strongly through the center of your feet to rise up.
- 4. As your hips rise, straighten your knees and hips in sequence, returning to the starting position.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Please be careful not to lean your upper body too far forward.
- 2. Keep your chest up and engage your core to avoid bending your waist.
- 3. Don't excessively bend your waist while trying to keep it straight.
- 4. Please do not stick your hips too far back.
- 5. Make sure your feet do not lift off the ground.
- 6. When standing up, please ensure your knees do not come together.
For a full Barbell Squat guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Barbell Squat exercise guide.
How to Do Calf Raise
Calf Raise Muscles Worked: Leg
Form
- 1. Please raise your heels as high as possible to contract your calf muscles.
- 2. Please hold while resisting the weight, making sure your heels do not touch the ground.
Coach's Tips
- 1. If it is difficult to maintain your balance, support yourself with your hand on a wall or object.
- 2. Since strain may be placed on your ankle or Achilles tendon (the tendon at the back of your calf and heel), do not lower yourself quickly, and if you feel pain, perform the exercise with just your body weight.
For a full Calf Raise guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Calf Raise exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Leg, Barbell Squat or Calf Raise?
Planfit users log Barbell Squat more often — 26,460 sessions against 1,215 for Calf Raise. Both train Leg, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
Do Barbell Squat and Calf Raise work the same muscles?
Not quite. Barbell Squat loads quads, hamstrings, and glutes, and Calf Raise loads calves, hamstrings, and glutes.
What equipment do Barbell Squat and Calf Raise need?
Barbell Squat needs a barbell, and Calf Raise needs bodyweight only.
Which is easier to start with?
Barbell Squat is the easier place to start. Move to Calf Raise once your form holds up.
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