I have a throry about calves. I only use the machine that allows me to stand. Not the seated calf raise. It could be bro-science but Im pretty sure the standing machine engages more secondary muscles that build the calves better.
Missed this part. Studies show the seated calf doesn't grow the calves much at all but the standing does. Standing trains both the gastroc and soleus while seated only hits the soleus. The soleus might not have much growth potential. Further, doing only the bottom range, stretch to flat, grows the calves way better than just the fully contracted to flat range. So moral of the story, do straight leg and might not even need the top range, use a heavier load in the stretched range. I like the donkey machine and a seated straight leg, no load on spine.
