Side Lunge vs Standing Calf Raise Machine
Maximizing Your Leg Workout Plan
Contents
Side Lunge is the easier place to start — difficulty 2 of 5 vs 5. Compare Leg form cues and when to progress.
Customize Your Leg Workout: Explore the Benefits of Side Lunge and Standing Calf Raise Machine for Better Comparison.
Planfit Users' Choice about Side Lunge vs Standing Calf Raise Machine : Which is Better?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Side Lunge more often — 2,021 sessions compared to 1,127 for Standing Calf Raise Machine.
Popularity is not the whole answer. Side Lunge and Standing Calf Raise Machine differ in the muscles they load, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Side Lunge and Standing Calf Raise Machine Differ
| What differs | Side Lunge | Standing Calf Raise Machine |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | quads, glutes, and outer thighs | calves, hamstrings, and glutes |
| Equipment | bodyweight only | a machine |
| One side at a time | Yes | No |
| Difficulty | 2 of 5 | 5 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 2,021 sessions | 1,127 sessions |
How to Side Lunge
Side Lunge muscles worked: Leg
Form
- 1. Move one foot to the side and shift your weight.
- 2. Bend the knee of the moved leg and keep the opposite leg straight.
- 3. Apply pressure to the center of the bent knee and slowly rise back to the starting position.
- 4. Repeat the same on the opposite side.
Coach's Comment
- 1. Please be careful not to lean your upper body forward.
- 2. Please make sure that your center of gravity does not shift too much to the side.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Side Lunge, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Side Lunge Guide page of our blog!
How to Standing Calf Raise Machine
Standing Calf Raise Machine muscles worked: Leg
Form
- 1. Please raise your heels as high as possible to contract your calf muscles.
- 2. While resisting the weight, please stop so that your heels do not touch the ground.
Coach's Comment
- 1. Please be careful not to let your knees spread apart.
- 2. Keep your chest up and engage your core to prevent your back from bending.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Standing Calf Raise Machine, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Standing Calf Raise Machine Guide page of our blog!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Leg, Side Lunge or Standing Calf Raise Machine?
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 Side Lunge and Standing Calf Raise Machine work the same muscles?
Not quite. Side Lunge loads quads, glutes, and outer thighs, and Standing Calf Raise Machine loads calves, hamstrings, and glutes.
What equipment do Side Lunge and Standing Calf Raise Machine need?
Side Lunge needs bodyweight only, and Standing Calf Raise Machine needs a machine.
Which is easier to start with?
Side Lunge is the easier place to start. Move to Standing Calf Raise Machine once your form holds up.
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