Do you do calves

[Psychoelectric]

Just curious since I have never actually worked on them directly before..Not that I am unhappy with them or anything but I think running and doing compound exercises such as squats would be quite sufficient, no?

[wakechica]

BB calf raises, leg press on the balls of feet/toes, smith calf raises (find I can load about 20kg more on the bar)

[Tifflex]

Just curious since I have never actually worked on them directly before..Not that I am unhappy with them or anything but I think running and doing compound exercises such as squats would be quite sufficient, no?

IMO, you should work calves like any other body part.

[Squatticus]

no solid answer
arnold trained calves almost every day
branch never trains them
experiment and find what works

[rdferguson]

I've spent too much time not training calves. Consequently, my calves look non-existent when compared to my thighs, and even when compared to my arms (notably, until very recently, the only "arm" training I've done has been bench press, overhead press, pull ups and rows). The soleus (lower calf muscle) gets a bit of work when squatting, but the gastrocnemius (upper calf muscle) is attached to the femur, so as your knee bends, the muscle shortens and tension is taken off it, meaning that squats do squat all for it.

[thehobbes]

I don't do much for calves, I'll throw in a couple sets of calf press every couple weeks, kinda like biceps where I do a few sets of ez bar curls every week or two. Both muscle groups grow and get stronger without the direct work. Eat and do compounds and it shouldn't matter too much.

[beatha]

Both muscle groups grow and get stronger without the direct work. Eat and do compounds and it shouldn't matter too much.

Agreed, mostly, but Of all body parts I'd say calve growth is genetic but work with what you have and find what exercies work for your development goals.

[thehobbes]

Agreed, mostly, but Of all body parts I'd say calve growth is genetic but work with what you have and find what exercies work for your development goals.

^^^It's YOU! The elusive Calf Master. Yes jelly...

[wakechica]

I so didn't read the OP post when I first replied.....

[RaiseD2HarD]

I do 'em twice a week.

[Ma110W]

I try to throw some work on my calves every leg day, but sometimes I just don't have the time for it. When I do train them, I do weighted calf raises with straight legs and bent knees.

[BalhamBeast]

Not exactly. My calves have always been well developed (thanks Mum!) but I've had a lot of achilles trouble over the past year so I've started doing eccentric training (negatives only) to sort that out and it has worked fairly well. My gym recently got some power plates so I do it on those.
Running and deadlifts work my calves pretty well so I don't do any weighted exercises for them. I did in my youth and it didn't make a lot of difference to size or shape.

[firely]

Seated calf raises on leg day. You should work calves in for a little while and see if you think it's worth the difference.

[RRV2]

I train them 1-2 times a week. Plus plyometrics on cardio days.

[AD1984]

I don't do any direct work for calves. Good genetics I guess, it's the only body part that doesn't need it.

[Partyrocking]

I don't do any calf work. I think it's pretty much all genetic. Some people's calves respond to any lower body stimulus, and some people need to hammer them to get anything.

[WorkHustleShred]

Im all for it. Ive had calves as a part of my routine since sept and Im having great results.

[fit4aprincess]

Personally I find that without calf exercises my legs just don't develop right. I think its just as important as any other muscle. I agree with wakechica, those are typically the same things I do.