Calf raise machines for home...seated??

[Pommie]

Are these any good? Or worth buying at all?

I currently do standing raises at home with a barbell which hits the gastrocs fairly well, but obviously for more direct soleous training a flexed knee is required.

Looking into whats available, a seated calf raise machine looks like what I need but do you guys find the home versions ($400 ish Aus) work well?

[buffbrown21]

You could get a seated calf raise or sit on a regular bench with a barbell across your legs or hold a pair of dumbells on your knees and do them. Its cheaper than buying a machine for it.

[grumpytude]

If you have the available cash & room for a seated calf then yes I think its definitely worth it. I know you can perform the exercise using different variations( barbell, smith)- but I love having a seated calf in my home gym and use it all the time. I'm sure you can find a suitable one in that price range. if you call fitness factory you can pretty much always get it cheaper than the advertised price. They seem to be a bit cheaper on amazon.
http://www.fitnessfactory.com/Home/item.cfm?id=3273
http://www.fitnessfactory.com/Home/item.cfm?id=3173
http://www.amazon.com/Powerline-PSC4...9298614&sr=8-1
http://www.amazon.com/Body-Solid-GSC...9298614&sr=8-6
http://www.amazon.com/Super-Seated-P...298614&sr=8-15

[djsuz]

At the moment I am doing them like the first video ^^^ except with a flat board running across my legs to protect me from the barbell digging in. It works so far but when I get up in weights someone needs to pass the bar to me until I figure out a way to strap the board to me and pick it up myself.

[KBKB]

At the moment I am doing them like the first video ^^^ except with a flat board running across my legs to protect me from the barbell digging in. It works so far but when I get up in weights someone needs to pass the bar to me until I figure out a way to strap the board to me and pick it up myself.

It seems to me that you should be able to use your power rack for this. Just position the bar height at about knee level; sit on a bench and put your knees (with that board, towel, etc between the bar and your knees). Pick the bar up with your knees, scoot back just enough to clear the hooks and then do your reps. When you're done, simply reverse the process to rack the bar.

[djsuz]

It seems to me that you should be able to use your power rack for this. Just position the bar height at about knee level; sit on a bench and put your knees (with that board, towel, etc between the bar and your knees). Pick the bar up with your knees, scoot back just enough to clear the hooks and then do your reps. When you're done, simply reverse the process to rack the bar.

I would do that, only I have a squat rack which wouldn't allow for that set-up. Until I get a power rack this is the option that seems to work the best for me at the moment alongside Donkey calf raises.

[thedickus]

If you buy one be sure not to get the cheaper ones with the round foam roller pads. You might as well just use a barbell because these will dig into your thighs. Get one with the flat pads.

[justinluck]

Has anyone tried the BodySolid GSCR349? Amazon is the cheapest place I can find it for. The lowest price I ever saw was around $380. Fitness Factory has the best photos of it though.

http://www.fitnessfactory.com/Home/item.cfm?id=3173

[irishiain]

I've been thinking about picking one up if only for low-back extensions but they don't seem to pop up too often.

[Coke_Zero]

I nearly picked one up last week when buying some other equipment. I couldn't justify buying such a large machine for one exercise. I use my leg press/hack squat and it does just as much for me.

[boxertim]

i have had 3 or 4 over the years...i like them for a while and then sell them off. right now i have a real nice commercial one that i used for a few months but is getting close to being sold.

i like my safety squat bar and my squat block.