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Toe Push on Sled

Also written as Toe push on sled

What it trains

gastrocnemius, soleus

Also: quadriceps

Equipment

sled or leg press machine

Setup

  • Place the balls of the feet low on the sled platform with the heels hanging off.
  • Extend the legs so the knees are straight but not locked hard.

Execution

  1. 1.Let the platform push the ankles back into a full stretch.
  2. 2.Press the platform away using only the ankles, rising onto the toes.
  3. 3.Pause briefly, then lower under control.

Breathing

Exhale as you press, inhale as you lower.

Form cues

  • Only the ankles move — the knees stay fixed.
  • Full stretch at the bottom.
  • Keep the feet from sliding off the platform.

Common mistakes

  • Bending and extending the knees to move the weight.
  • Using a range so short nothing stretches.
  • Letting the feet creep down toward the edge.

Safety

  • Engage the machine's safety catches and keep the feet firmly on the platform — this position is unforgiving if a foot slips.

Technique written to align with

  • ACSM — Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription

Instructions and diagrams on this page are original to QuantumWorkout.