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I'm following the volume THT cycle right now, but I don't have a leg press or a seated calf machine. The only equipment I have is a bench and a barbell, so I've been trying to do the seated calf raises with the bench and barbell, but I'm finding it difficult to control the amount of weight I'm trying to do and still hit the 8-12 rep range each time--it would be so much easier if I have a calf machine or a leg press. Right now I'm doing 170 lbs, but still hitting 18-21 reps!! There's gotta be a better way :-/ Any suggestions?

bdub21 wrote:I'm following the volume THT cycle right now, but I don't have a leg press or a seated calf machine. The only equipment I have is a bench and a barbell, so I've been trying to do the seated calf raises with the bench and barbell, but I'm finding it difficult to control the amount of weight I'm trying to do and still hit the 8-12 rep range each time--it would be so much easier if I have a calf machine or a leg press. Right now I'm doing 170 lbs, but still hitting 18-21 reps!! There's gotta be a better way :-/ Any suggestions?

How about a Standing Calf Raise? Put your toes on a block of wood so your calves have a good stretch and go up on your toes while holding a barbell. Note that you don't have to hold the barbell on the back of your shoulders.You can hold the bar in front or behind your legs and even use straps or hooks to help you hold the barbell.

luckily i have at my gym, a smith press, calf machine and leg press. I never use the calf machine, i cant get full motion with it im 6'2" so i dont think its really designed for my height.
The leg press doesnt go up high enough on weight, the smith is brilliant, as i can slap on all the weight i want, and not have to worry about balance, again as dsharp suggest do this on a block of wood or a step.
Problem with my gym is it can get busy, when it does, i do single leg calf raises on a step against a wall, that way i can use one hand against the wall/pillar to keep my balance and the other hand holding the weight. I actually think this one burns more than the smith press version