Leg Curl vs Calf Raise

Maximizing Your Leg Workout Plan

Contents

Planfit users log Leg Curl more often — 39,860 sessions vs 1,215. Compare Leg form, muscles worked, and when to use each.

Customize Your Leg Workout: Explore the Benefits of Leg Curl and Calf Raise for Better Comparison.

Planfit Users' Choice about Leg Curl vs Calf Raise : Which is Better?

Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Leg Curl more often — 39,860 sessions compared to 1,215 for Calf Raise.

Popularity is not the whole answer. Leg Curl and Calf Raise differ in the muscles they load, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.

How Leg Curl and Calf Raise Differ

What differsLeg CurlCalf Raise
Muscles workedhamstrings and calvescalves, hamstrings, and glutes
Equipmenta machinebodyweight only
Difficulty1 of 55 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users39,860 sessions1,215 sessions

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How to Leg Curl

Leg Curl gif

Leg Curl muscles worked: Leg

Form

  1. 1. Engage your hamstrings and glutes, and lift the ankle pads up to your hips.
  2. 2. Lower down only until your knees are fully extended against the weight resistance.

Coach's Comment

  1. 1. Please be careful not to fully extend your knees.
  2. 2. Please be careful not to lift your upper body.

If you want to know a detailed guide to Leg Curl, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Leg Curl Guide page of our blog!

Do you want to know more about Leg Curl methods?Exercise Guide

How to Calf Raise

Calf Raise gif

Calf Raise muscles worked: Leg

Form

  1. 1. Please raise your heels as high as possible to contract your calf muscles.
  2. 2. Please hold while resisting the weight, making sure your heels do not touch the ground.

Coach's Comment

  1. 1. If it is difficult to maintain your balance, support yourself with your hand on a wall or object.
  2. 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!

Do you want to know more about Calf Raise methods?Exercise Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for Leg, Leg Curl or Calf Raise?

Planfit users log Leg Curl more often — 39,860 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 Leg Curl and Calf Raise work the same muscles?

Not quite. Leg Curl loads hamstrings and calves, and Calf Raise loads calves, hamstrings, and glutes.

What equipment do Leg Curl and Calf Raise need?

Leg Curl needs a machine, and Calf Raise needs bodyweight only.

Which is easier to start with?

Leg Curl is the easier place to start. Move to Calf Raise once your form holds up.

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