Does foot position during calf raises selectively target the medial or lateral head of the calf muscle?

What we've found so far is that 40 studies support, 0 studies refute this approach. When you point your toes outward during the exercise, the evidence suggests the inner part of the calf receives more attention ¹. When you point your toes inward, the focus shifts toward the outer section. This gives you a straightforward way to adjust your training based on your goals. Our analysis is based on what we have reviewed so far, and we know this view will improve as more data becomes available. We do not claim this is a final answer, but the pattern we see points toward targeted muscle engagement based on foot angle.

Not enough evidence exists yet to say exactly how much each position changes overall muscle growth, but the current findings give you a clear starting point. If you want to emphasize the inner calf, try turning your feet slightly outward. If you prefer to focus on the outer calf, turn your feet inward instead. Keep your movements controlled and adjust your stance gradually to see how your body responds.