Novel ways to train calves heavy

[Robboe]

The calf raise at my gym is a fixed stack that maxes out around 260lbs. I want to do heavy standing raises for about 5 reps.

The leg press calf raises are out cause my gym has the arc leg press rather than the 45 degree press. Not only does this make it alost impossible to get in and out of position for calf raises, it also means the foot platform bangs against the pivot.

I just tried setting up the smith machine with a couple of plates beneath my feet, but this isn't enough for a good stretch. The stools for spotting on the benches are a bit too high and don't seem safe enough to use for this.

So, who has some good ideas?

[WhirlyBird]

Buy some wood and put under your feet when doing calf raises in the smith machine. I usually put my toes on the board so I can raise up, come back to start, then go down till heel touches floor and repeat

[_Smitty_]

no seated calf raise? those work far better for me than the standing machine.

hack squat or HS squat machines?

[kfairhurst]

Takes a little bit of getting used to but is very good. Calf machines were busy one day so I got creative. Go to a power rack, lay down 2 45lb or 25lb plates and do your calf raises on those while holding the barbell like a deadlift. Could always put it on your back like a squat too.

[user98511001541]

thin piece of wood (1 inch thick, up to maybe 2 inches) under your toes, in a squat rack

[eldawg]

Reebok step + smith machine may work.

[An Inconvenient Bro]

push vehicles around the parking lot

[_NimbusTim_]

I would say use the block like everyone suggested above....except for the fact that you said you already basically did this with using weights instead of wood.

Can you add a 45lb weight to the pin on the calf raise machine at your gym. I do this on a couple machines at our gym.

Edit: I use a seperate pin off another machine...and not the one holding the weight.

[Robboe]

no seated calf raise? those work far better for me than the standing machine.

hack squat or HS squat machines?

There is a free-weight seated calf, but i do higher rep sets for this exercise (like 30-40 reps). Never liked heavy seated calf raises, nor do i think they are idea based on the soleus fiber make up.

No HS squat machine. The hack is a steep design and has no way of doing them without a fairly complicated attachment that i have no idea how to make.

[_Smitty_]

There is a free-weight seated calf, but i do higher rep sets for this exercise (like 30-40 reps). Never liked heavy seated calf raises, nor do i think they are idea based on the soleus fiber make up.

don't you get all technical on me...

set a bench into the smith, get in that good morning bent-over position and go to town. i imagine the stretch at the bottom is what you're looking for, hence the 'plates/wood no good'.

No HS squat machine. The hack is a steep design and has no way of doing them without a fairly complicated attachment that i have no idea how to make.

get in it backwards, toes at the top.

[Robboe]

Reebok step + smith machine may work.

Have never seen a reebok step heavy-duty enough to trust with heavy weights for this kind of thing.

[Starkk]

Walk on your toes all day. I do it.

When people look at you weird, put your hands up and make raptor noises.

[Robboe]

push vehicles around the parking lot

Would LOVE to do this, but the lot is too busy. There are businesses opening directly onto it, they take deliveries prety much daily, and there is an ambulance garage which is used regularly.

I would say use the block like everyone suggested above....except for the fact that you said you already basically did this with using weights instead of wood.

Can you add a 45lb weight to the pin on the calf raise machine at your gym. I do this on a couple machines at our gym.

Edit: I use a seperate pin off another machine...and not the one holding the weight.

There is a cover over the stack unfortunately, so no dice.

[_Smitty_]

When people look at you weird, put your hands up and make raptor noises.

i f'cking lost it.

[Robboe]

don't you get all technical on me...

set a bench into the smith, get in that good morning bent-over position and go to town. i imagine the stretch at the bottom is what you're looking for, hence the 'plates/wood no good'.

I want pics of you doing this first!!

get in it backwards, toes at the top.

Tried that today, the head-rest sticks out making it impossible. feelsbadman.jpg

[Robboe]

Walk on your toes all day. I do it.

When people look at you weird, put your hands up and make raptor noises.

Genius.

[_Smitty_]

I want pics of you doing this first!!

get the hell out of here.

i use the seated... my soleus fiber makeup is the tits.

Tried that today, the head-rest sticks out making it impossible. feelsbadman.jpg

sucks... well then i'm out of ideas.

i'll second the raptor-toes.

[Robboe]

You lot need to buck up your ideas!

I come in here demanding free advice and you're all useless! What sort of unpaid service do you call this!!

[n8te]

Walk on your toes all day. I do it.

When people look at you weird, put your hands up and make raptor noises.

LULZ...repped

[MattyH7688]

When I was 15, I was doing 500lbs on my high schools calf raise machine... now I do 90lbs and go for super slow reps. Guess which one makes me much more sore.

[dvsness]

I have yet to see a single person's calves improve with low rep training.

[Starkk]

I have yet to see a single person's calves improve with low rep training.

x2 I'm always in the 12-15 rep range with a lower weight

No PR's on calf day.

[_Smitty_]

i 1RM my calves twice/week.

[dvsness]

I honestly rarely use weight at all.

[Adjusting]

I didn't read the other suggestions but what about 1 leg at a time?

That's what I would do when I trained at home. I'd grab a dumbell and go to a step and rep out going for an extreme stretch.

[Black_Label]

Our machine goes up to 395 then w.e else you can stack on it

Hack squat machine is another option. Its part of my routine. Or 1 leg calf raises off of just about anything holding just about anything heavy

[Gym God]

... maybe try Donkey Calf Raises.

I personally try to hit the calves 2-3 times a week. These little bastards need help.

[Vitruvian]

I like to use a smith with heavy weights, and basically do power shrugs trying to use my calves to propel the weight up.

Random, but it seems to work well.

[Alexlexexx]

Calf Raises have to be performed with your SHOES OFF, and very strictly. If you are using a ton of weight - you’re doing them wrong.

[Gym God]

Calf Raises have to be performed with your SHOES OFF, and very strictly. If you are using a ton of weight - you’re doing them wrong.

A ton of weight to one, may not be a ton of weight to another. What are you considering... like a 1RM?