The HVO seated calf raise & anterior tib machine is a combo machine that hits the front and back of my lower legs.
Instead of buying two separate machines, this combines two often neglected movements into one unit:
- Seated calf raises for calves and soleus muscle
- Anterior tib machine for the tibialis anterior muscle (front of the shin)
It’s basically a complete lower leg station that doesn’t take up much floor space, which I like.
Let’s check it out!
Unboxing
Table of Contents
- 1 Unboxing
- 2 Specs
- 3 What Is The HVO Seated Calf Raise & Anterior Tib Machine?
- 4 Who Is This Is Best For? (And Who Should Skip It)
- 5 Top Benefits Of The HVO Seated Calf Raise & Anterior Tib Machine
- 6 Best Features Of The HVO Seated Calf Raise & Anterior Tib Machine
- 7 HVO Seated Calf Raise & Anterior Tib Machine Pros & Cons
- 8 HVO Seated Calf Raise & Anterior Tib Machine Price
- 9 HVO Fitness Discount Code?
- 10 HVO Seated Calf Raise & Anterior Tib Machine Alternatives
- 11 My Hands-On Experience Using The HVO Seated Calf Raise & Anterior Tib Machine
- 12 Final Verdict: Is The HVO Seated Calf Raise & Anterior Tib Machine Worth It?
- 13 FAQ’s
- 14 HVO Seated Calf Raise & Anterior Tib Machine
Every part of the machine came bubble wrapped.
The box did arrive with a hole on the side so it’d be good if HVO added styrofoam on the sides to prevent any shipping mishaps.
Thankfully, every part arrived without any issues.
Here’s what the parts looks like when I took them out of the box.
It’s a simple build and the instructions are very clear so anyone can put this together in an hour or less.
Here’s what it looks like after I put this together.
HVO also throws in a couple of resistance bands which I thought was sweet so I didn’t have to go out and look for that specific size to fit the band pegs.
Specs
- Material: 14-gauge steel
- Dimensions: 52.76’L x 37.6’W x 39.71’H
- Weight: 75 lbs
- Weight capacity: 760 lbs
- Adjustable: 5 horizontal thigh pad adjustments, 6 vertical thigh pad adjustments
- Calf raise weight horn: 9.5″ long, compatible with Olympic and standard sized weight plates
- Tib raise weight horns: 7.25″ long, compatible with Olympic and standard sized weight plates
- Thigh pads: 2″ thick
What Is The HVO Seated Calf Raise & Anterior Tib Machine?
The HVO seated calf raise & anterior tib machine is a compact, dual function lower leg machine that focuses on the front and back of my shins.
I can train my calves with more focus on the soleus muscle (beneath my gastrocs) with the seated calf raise function…
And I can train my tibialis anterior muscles (front of the shin) with weighted dorsiflexion.
I would guess this muscle is neglected by 90% of lifters but it acts as a shock absorber every time we step.
So for runners, jumpers, and many athletes, it’s an important muscle that shouldn’t be skipped on leg.
Who Is This Is Best For? (And Who Should Skip It)
✅ Ideal For
- Home gym owners who don’t neglect lower leg development
- People who want to strengthen their ankles
- Those dealing with shin splints
- Athletes who rely on strong legs for their sport
- Anyone trying to bring up stubborn calves
- Garage gyms who value multi-use equipment
❌ Not For
- People who don’t take leg day seriously
- Lifters who prefer standing calf raises only
- Small home gyms (even though it’s not huge, it still takes up space)
RELATED: Anterior Tib Machine
Top Benefits Of The HVO Seated Calf Raise & Anterior Tib Machine
Trains BOTH Sides Of My Legs
Most people (myself included) focus mainly on training calves and ignore the front of the legs.
This machine combines two machines in one so I hit my calves (mainly the Soleus muscle) and my Tibialis Anterior muscle in front of my shins so I create a more rounded lower leg and prevent injuries.
One thing I’d like to see an improvement on, is the range of motion at the bottom of this exercise.
If I could get just a little bit more of a stretch with my feet pointing down (plantar flexion), this would feel great.
Helps Reduce Shin Splints & Knee Pain
Besides raising my foot, the anterior tibialis muscle helps to reduce the impact my lower legs and knees take every time my heel touches down.
Ben Patrick (from the Knees Over Toes Program) even calls this muscle the first line of defense against knee pain since it reduces the forces traveling from the ground to the knees every time we walk/run.
So having a strong Tibialis Anterior will prevent shin splints that come from repetitive impact.
ALSO CHECKOUT: Knees Over Toes Guy Equipment
Better Ankle Stability
Something I kept thinking after using this machine for a bit, is that this can improve my ankle stability dramatically.
Joints are only as stable as the structures surrounding it and with strong muscles and tendons surrounding the front and back of my ankles, this creates a line of defense against sprains.
Stronger lower legs equal better balance, control, and joint support.
This carries over to squats, lunges, running, and jumping, which are all activities that I do during my workouts.
Saves Space
Instead of buying a dedicated machine for each body part, I have both in one machine.
And even though an anterior tib machine doesn’t take up a lot of room, I prefer to have both in one footprint.
Best Features Of The HVO Seated Calf Raise & Anterior Tib Machine
Dual Function
Like I said before, the beauty about this machine is that it’s two machines in one.
So I can train my calves with seated calf raises and…
Work my tibialis anterior muscles by just switching the position of my feet.
What I like most is that each exercise is loaded separately so I don’t have to change plates to go from calves to tib raises.
One thing that’s different about doing tib raises though is that the range of motion at the bottom is cut short.
So I have to sit further back on the seat so that my shins are angled (instead of vertical) and that gives me a better stretch.
But I still feel like I fall short and lose tension at the bottom of the tib raises so that’s something HVO needs to improve on.
Comfortable Pads
The thigh pads are about 2″ in thickness which is enough to provide plenty of cushion when doing seated calf raises.
Vinyl and stitching are ok and the quality matches the budget category of this machine.
Here’s what the thigh pad looks like with weight loaded on my thighs.
You can tell that the vynil wrinkles a bit but the padding does not give much which makes it comfortable.
Padding on the leg rollers is thick enough that it’s not putting uncomfortable pressure on top of my foot.
For tib raises I don’t need a lot of weight to feel a good burn so the padding doesn’t have to be very thick for this area.
Adjustable
The thigh pads are adjustable both up and down and sideways.
Vertically, I have the option to adjust it to 6 heights and horizontally, I can move it to 5 different positions.
This is useful so people of different heights can use it.
DON’T MISS: BodyKore Squat Box Pro Review
HVO Seated Calf Raise & Anterior Tib Machine Pros & Cons
Pros
- Two-in-one: Seated calf raise and anterior tib machine combo makes it convenient to train opposing groups
- Compact: Doesn’t take up a lot of room in my garage gym
- Padding: Both the thigh pads and feet rollers have plenty of cushion so they feel comfortable
- Loaded separately: Both exercises are loaded separately so I don’t have to bother changing weight to go from one to the other
- Universal plates compatibility: I can use standard sized weight plates (1″ center hole) or Olympic sized plates (2″ center hole)
- User friendly: It’s super easy to use, I just slip my thighs/feet under the pads and I’m ready to go
Cons
- Anterior tib machine: Range of motion for tib raises needs to improve at the bottom to get a better stretch
HVO Seated Calf Raise & Anterior Tib Machine Price
The seated calf raise & anterior tib combo machine is currently priced at $270 which is a good price for a two-in-one machine.
I’ve spent quite a bit of time searching the internet and haven’t seen any other combo machine.
It’s always a dedicated seated calf machine and anterior tib machine sold separately.
And every time, they come out to be mroe than the price of HVO’s combo machine.
HVO Fitness Discount Code?
I haven’t been able to find an HVO Fitness discount code anywhere but as it its, this combo machine is fairly priced.
If I do happen to find any coupon codes, I will update this section.
In the meantime, click the button below for lowest up to date price.
HVO Seated Calf Raise & Anterior Tib Machine Alternatives
Titan Fitness Seated Calf Raise Machine
The Titan seated calf raise machine does not have a built-in anterior tib machine so it’s specific to just one exercise.
This one has a dual weight horn and it is made out of 11 gauge steel which is thicker than HVO’s frame.
It’s priced at $190. Adding the cheapest anterior tib machine would cost an additional $150 making the combo $340, which is much higher than HVO’s.
GMWD Seated Calf Raise Machine
The GMWD seated calf raise machine is also a one and done machine so it’s main objective is one exercise.
I do like that this one has band pegs like HVO’s so I can make calf raises harder at the top.
And I like that they added wheels at the front to make it easier to move around.
This one, like Titan’s, is also priced at $190 for just the seated calf raise.
My Hands-On Experience Using The HVO Seated Calf Raise & Anterior Tib Machine
Like many home gym owners and gym goers, I don’t train my Soleus and Tibialis Anterior muscles much so I was excited to use this machine.
I do see the value of training my lower leg muscles for muscle development, ankle stability, and to prevent knee pain.
And I can definitely feel the burn and soreness during and after every workout.
Plus being able to work opposing muscle groups with the same machine saves space which is always a big plus in home gyms…
But the range of motion at the bottom of tib raises needs to be increased so I can feel a bigger stretch.
Final Verdict: Is The HVO Seated Calf Raise & Anterior Tib Machine Worth It?
The HVO seated calf raise & anterior tib machine is one of those niche pieces that makes a lot of sense in a home gym.
It’s not flashy but it fills a gap that most gym setups miss, the front and back of the lower leg.
If you have the space and your goal is to build a well rounded, injury resistant foundation, it’s a solid addition.
FAQ’s
What muscles does the HVO combo machine work?
It trains my calves (calves and soleus muscles) and the tibialis anterior muscles (front of my shins).
Is is necessary to train my Tibialis Anterior muscles?
If you run, jump, suffer from shin splints, or have knee pain, yes, it’s necessary to do tib raises to improve lower leg strength, ankle stability, and prevent injuries.
Is it good for home gyms?
Yes, because it tackles more than one muscle group with one machine and it doesn’t take up a lot of room.
HVO Seated Calf Raise & Anterior Tib Machine
Shredded Dad is a home gym equipment reviewer and fitness equipment expert specializing in hands-on testing of strength and conditioning equipment.
His work has been featured by leading fitness brands and quoted by major media outlets including Yahoo Health, GQ, AskMen, LifeWire, Wales Online, and others.
ShreddedDad.com