For runners, the calf press that matters more is… the BENT KNEE calf press… because it targets the soleus, not just the gastrocnemius. Here’s the science. When the knee is bent, the gastrocnemius is placed in a shortened position and contributes less force. This shifts the workload to the soleus, a deep calf muscle made up mostly of slow-twitch fibers. That matters because during running, especially at easy to moderate speeds, the soleus produces the majority of ankle plantarflexion force on every step. Biomechanically, running happens with a slightly flexed (or bent) knee. That means the soleus is active almost continuously, absorbing load, storing elastic energy through the Achilles tendon, and helping propel you forward efficiently. Research shows the soleus plays a major role in controlling tibial advancement and managing ground reaction forces, making it critical for both performance and injury prevention. A weak soleus ❤️‍🩹 increases stress on the Achilles tendon and ❤️‍🩹 r...