Soleus Muscle Anatomy
& Exercises 101: The Calf Muscles

This lesson on the soleus muscle anatomy also includes vital information on the calf muscle's function as well as exercises.

It is the smaller of the two major calf muscles. It is located on the sides of the calf, and is in charge of plantar flexion (i.e. standing on your tippy toes)...

...However, it's only fully activated during plantar flexion if your knees are bent. This is why you should implement both seated and standing calf exercises.

Many gym-goers wrongly believe that the calves are a completely slow twitch muscle, which is why they will perform high reps on all calf exercises. While the soleus is is a slow twitch muscle, the gastrocnemius muscle is fast twitch; not to mention it also makes up the vast majority of the calf mass.

The glossary at the end of the page defines all terms within this calf muscle guide.

Refer to the table of contents (TOC) for a listing of the page's sections, and to navigate throughout it by using the links

Soleus Muscle Anatomy

Soleus

• Origin
  • Upper and Posterior Part of the Fibula
  • Upper and Posterior Part of the Tibia
• Insertion
  • Achilles Tendon of the Calcaneous
• Function
  • Ankle Plantar Flexion

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Soleus Exercises

Exercises. The following movement is the only direct lower leg exercise that truly targets this muscle:

• Seated Calf Raises

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Related Calf Muscles

Related Muscles. Muscles that perform similar functions include the following:

• Gastrocnemius

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Glossary

Functions

• Ankle Plantar Flexion. Elevating your body onto the balls of your feet by raising your heels. You can perform this by standing on your tippy toes.

Anatomy

• Achilles Tendon. The tendon on the back of the lower leg that connects the calf muscles to the heel bone.
• Calcaneous. Heel bone.
• Fibula. Calf bone.
• Posterior. Rear, or back.
• Tibia. Shin bone.

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