Calf Raise vs Side Kick Back
Maximizing Your Leg Workout Plan
Contents
Side Kick Back is the easier place to start — difficulty 1 of 5 vs 5. Compare Leg form cues and when to progress.
Customize Your Leg Workout: Explore the Benefits of Calf Raise and Side Kick Back for Better Comparison.
Planfit Users' Choice about Calf Raise vs Side Kick Back : Which is Better?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Calf Raise more often — 1,215 sessions compared to 822 for Side Kick Back.
Popularity is not the whole answer. Calf Raise and Side Kick Back differ in the muscles they load, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Calf Raise and Side Kick Back Differ
| What differs | Calf Raise | Side Kick Back |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | calves, hamstrings, and glutes | outer thighs |
| One side at a time | No | Yes |
| Difficulty | 5 of 5 | 1 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 1,215 sessions | 822 sessions |
How to 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 Comment
- 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.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Calf Raise, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Calf Raise Guide page of our blog!
How to Side Kick Back
Side Kick Back muscles worked: Leg
Form
- 1. Raise one leg while keeping the knee at a 90-degree angle, parallel to the ground.
- 2. Slowly return to the starting position.
- 3. Proceed one side at a time or alternately.
Coach's Comment
- 1. Keep your chest up to avoid bending your waist and engage your core.
- 2. Be careful not to bend your elbows.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Side Kick Back, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Side Kick Back Guide page of our blog!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Leg, Calf Raise or Side Kick Back?
Neither is clearly ahead — Planfit users log both at a similar rate. They both train Leg, so the choice comes down to the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
Do Calf Raise and Side Kick Back work the same muscles?
Not quite. Calf Raise loads calves, hamstrings, and glutes, and Side Kick Back loads outer thighs.
What equipment do Calf Raise and Side Kick Back need?
Calf Raise needs bodyweight only, and Side Kick Back needs bodyweight only.
Which is easier to start with?
Side Kick Back is the easier place to start. Move to Calf Raise once your form holds up.
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