CALVES- Lets grow them!

[shamardal]

Two great threads from this forum on excellent calf exercises (or variations) that are really effective:

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...t=If+you+wanna
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...ump+calf+raise

Also excellent article here about planning an attack for stubborn calves:

http://mindandmuscle.net/articles/ke...ining?page=all

[dizzay20]

Would like to say that i switched from doing calf raises on the standing calf machine to doing toe presses on the leg press machine and have found it to be way better and doesnt put so much strain on ur ankles and ackles.

[Ironlife]

Would like to say that i switched from doing calf raises on the standing calf machine to doing toe presses on the leg press machine and have found it to be way better and doesnt put so much strain on ur ankles and ackles.

Thats actually a very good exercise too.

[snik66]

nice post + repp

[TheStreetKing]

Here's mine!

[jdm4eva]

Finally something about calves that actually might help the growth of mine. My calves sucks and then need some serious work. Hopefully these exercises can help out.

[Incognito00]

Would like to say that i switched from doing calf raises on the standing calf machine to doing toe presses on the leg press machine and have found it to be way better and doesnt put so much strain on ur ankles and ackles.

I agree. I've gotten the best results from doing them on the leg press and I can alternate my stances much easier.

[szohaib]

I personally dislike having such curvy calves.. Meh :P Just me then

[EmptyMan]

Oh lawd. I did the calves workout that was posted in the article where it was:

Standing Calf Raise 5x5 3/2/X/1
Seated Calf Raise 4-8-19 2/2/2/1

I had never lifted with specific tempo before and it felt great. My calves are still shaking 30 mins. later.

[FaceThePain]

I train my calves once every 2 weeks.
I've always had big calves, they run in the family.

[MWheatley]

^ Wow, im jealous if you only are training them twice a month. Thats genetics for ya.

[geokilla]

I personally dislike having such curvy calves.. Meh :P Just me then

Same. To me, they look weird and ugly. What does one's calves normally look like say when you're standing on a flat surface/walking and not flexing like the pictures here.

Anyone done 4 minute calves?

[steve38]

Awesome thread! I got so pumped up on all this, I just killed my calves today. Hope i can walk tomorrow..lol.

[jhontait]

you give a useful information about how to increase the calves and muscles some time people getting wrong with it....

[RforREVOLUTION]

What is the difference with doing Calf exercises with toes in or toes out??

[Ironlife]

What is the difference with doing Calf exercises with toes in or toes out??

Accentuates either the inner /outer part of the gastrocnemius.

[jhontait]

Accentuates either the inner /outer part of the gastrocnemius.

I am agree with you...................

[TPB03]

Wow, this is awesome. I cannot wait to try all of these out!

repped

[Ironlife]

Wow, this is awesome. I cannot wait to try all of these out!

repped

Thanks mate, if you liked that check out my forearms thread!

[clubxi710]

Wow! Been waiting for this! Thanks guys. Thanks Barry.

[Scaglietti]

Accentuates either the inner /outer part of the gastrocnemius.

on paper maybe but not in the real world.. ive always done toes out its just my natural stance yet my outter head is the most developed and inner is weaker.

[Salad_Dodger]

i love having good calf genetics =]. but good advice though.

def need to look into that forearm thread.

[l3ulls3y3]

I'm only 15, training for basketball, been working out for about a month now. A month ago, I had no calves at all, it was just ... fat.

I just took this picture like 10 minutes ago, and I don't do squats because it hurts my lower back... what I do is Step Ups with dumbbells in each hands, and I alternate between step ups with weight and flying step ups without weight. I do about 3 sets of weights and 2 flying without. I stand in place and jump in place trying to reach as high as I can jumping the seocnd I reach the ground, and I do standing calf raises and that's pretty much it. I'm only 15, and it's been a month, hopefully they can grow some more : )

[gunslash]

last 3 months or so I've been busting my calves with complete hatred. I now have improved definition on them ( stronger too), but damn it, they don't want to grow! arggg I'll just keep pushing, eventually they have to comply

[Chesticles2]

Nice thread bud, I do have some info to add!!

Slow twitch and fast twitch fiber training is EVERYTHING when it comes to calves.
Your calves are the only muscle in the body that is 3/4 made up of slow twitch fibers, which makes them almost impossible to grow because of their recovery.
In order to fatigue your calves fully during your set is to actually break each set up into 2 parts, this will mean rest intervals will be 30-45 secs MAX.
The recovery of ATP storage is so quick you need to fatigue once then again in 30-45 secs to make them grow at the fastest pace possible. Give it a try!
Great post btw, very helpful for many people, love those exercises you posted too, usually people stick to the machines.

[Ironlife]

Nice thread bud, I do have some info to add!!

Slow twitch and fast twitch fiber training is EVERYTHING when it comes to calves.
Your calves are the only muscle in the body that is 3/4 made up of slow twitch fibers, which makes them almost impossible to grow because of their recovery.
In order to fatigue your calves fully during your set is to actually break each set up into 2 parts, this will mean rest intervals will be 30-45 secs MAX.
The recovery of ATP storage is so quick you need to fatigue once then again in 30-45 secs to make them grow at the fastest pace possible. Give it a try!
Great post btw, very helpful for many people, love those exercises you posted too, usually people stick to the machines.

Thanks big guy appreciate it.

[pandaloves02]

Wow! Great thread!

[Ironlife]

Wow! Great thread!

Thanks, see my forearms thread its just as good, if not better.

[Nrh8]

how many times a week and how much volume would u recommend for optimum calve growth. Also would'nt jump roping help as well?

[cstaron]

Now this is exactly what I was going to ask. Good thing I searched 1st. I've always been a tall skinny guy and my calves look stringy while upper legs are starting to show more. Going to try a lot of this to help me out. Thanks.