Seated Calf Raises

[iwantsize6969]

Hi guys, I want to do more seated calf raises as I feel they hit my calfs in a different way than standing barbell calf raises. Prob is, I dont have a seated calf raise machine at home. I can use a dumbbell but the highest way the dumbbell can go up to is 120 lbs which is still pretty much light for my calves, any ideas on what I could/should do?

[deadwoodgregg]

Hi guys, I want to do more seated calf raises as I feel they hit my calfs in a different way than standing barbell calf raises. Prob is, I dont have a seated calf raise machine at home. I can use a dumbbell but the highest way the dumbbell can go up to is 120 lbs which is still pretty much light for my calves, any ideas on what I could/should do?

Watch Craigslist or Ebay for a deal that you can live with. Otherwise go to the exercise section of BB.com and search for an answer.

[HealthNutMD]

Hi guys, I want to do more seated calf raises as I feel they hit my calfs in a different way than standing barbell calf raises. Prob is, I dont have a seated calf raise machine at home. I can use a dumbbell but the highest way the dumbbell can go up to is 120 lbs which is still pretty much light for my calves, any ideas on what I could/should do?

Reps for a cool name, lol!!

Anyway, what Gregg said. Buy a seated calf, they don't take up too much space.

[iwantsize6969]

Reps for a cool name, lol!!

Anyway, what Gregg said. Buy a seated calf, they don't take up too much space.

THX BRU LOL

http://www.sears.com/powerline-seate...p-00611390000P

found that cheap!! its only a calf raise machine so who needs high quality-- what do u guys think!!??

[jreach]

When my gym didn't have a seated calf machine, I just sat on the end of a bench, loaded up a barbell, and rested it on my legs.

[deadwoodgregg]

THX BRU LOL

http://www.sears.com/powerline-seate...p-00611390000P

found that cheap!! its only a calf raise machine so who needs high quality-- what do u guys think!!??

It will work but I would be patient and wait for a used commercial unit to come up. If you give your location (edit your original post), I would bet that a member here could find one for you.

[iwantsize6969]

It will work but I would be patient and wait for a used commercial unit to come up. If you give your location (edit your original post), I would bet that a member here could find one for you.

Im from NY, westchester NY--- so dont buy it??

[BAVE]

I had a light commercial Nautilus seated calf machine years back but sold it because I wanted to free up space. If you have plenty of space its a nice piece. Alternatively, if you have a smith machine you can do a seated calf on it (though it feels far less natural). I do mine using a power rack, bar, shoulder pad, and an aerobic step or calf block.

[iwantsize6969]

I had a light commercial Nautilus seated calf machine years back but sold it because I wanted to free up space. If you have plenty of space its a nice piece. Alternatively, if you have a smith machine you can do a seated calf on it (though it feels far less natural). I do mine using a power rack, bar, shoulder pad, and an aerobic step or calf block.

Thanks, I have a power rack- but no smith machine. I was thinking of using a barbell but figured itd be hard to pick up and place the bar on my legs

[deadwoodgregg]

http://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/sgd/3473939126.html Be patient. I am not familiar with this one and would not offer full asking price. Stuff like this comes up quite often. Better quality will come if you are patient. Icarian, Bodymasters, Magnum, Nebula, Cybex are brands that you should look for. Vertical/angled weight horns tend to be better designs than horizontal.

[Stasher1]

Thanks, I have a power rack- but no smith machine. I was thinking of using a barbell but figured itd be hard to pick up and place the bar on my legs

Generally speaking, seated calf machines work on a 3:1 ratio, meaning your calves feel as though they're lifting 3x the amount of weight you have loaded on the machine. I do sets of 10-12 with 160lbs on my seated calf machine, so I'd have to load a barbell across my knees with 480lbs to achieve the same results.

Keep an eye on CL. Decent home-grade machines (Parabody, Body Solid, Nautilus, etc) show up in this area fairly often for $100 or less, with most of them falling in the $40-$60 range.

You want one with a solid hinge (no wobble or side-to-side sway) and block-style knee pads, not those round foam things that compress easily. You don't want to feel that steel bar digging into your legs every time you use it.

[iwantsize6969]

Generally speaking, seated calf machines work on a 3:1 ratio, meaning your calves feel as though they're lifting 3x the amount of weight you have loaded on the machine. I do sets of 10-12 with 160lbs on my seated calf machine, so I'd have to load a barbell across my knees with 480lbs to achieve the same results.

Keep an eye on CL. Decent home-grade machines (Parabody, Body Solid, Nautilus, etc) show up in this area fairly often for $100 or less, with most of them falling in the $40-$60 range.

You want one with a solid hinge (no wobble or side-to-side sway) and block-style knee pads, not those round foam things that compress easily. You don't want to feel that steel bar digging into your legs every time you use it.

True-- Thanks you guys! So if I can get that Cybex one cheap should i go for it? if not, do you guys like the parabody one in the above link?

im really looking to bodybuild now, and i guess a seated calf raise is a must

[iwantsize6969]

True-- Thanks you guys! So if I can get that Cybex one cheap should i go for it? if not, do you guys like the parabody one in the above link?

im really looking to bodybuild now, and i guess a seated calf raise is a must

or just found one for 75.. looks old but

[Stasher1]

True-- Thanks you guys! So if I can get that Cybex one cheap should i go for it? if not, do you guys like the parabody one in the above link?

im really looking to bodybuild now, and i guess a seated calf raise is a must

Do you mean Powerline? If so, I'd say pass on it. It has those round foam knee pads that will compress and you'll wind up with a steel bar across your knees.

This is my Parabody seated calf. Note the rectangular knee pads.

[iwantsize6969]

Do you mean Powerline? If so, I'd say pass on it. It has those round foam knee pads that will compress and you'll wind up with a steel bar across your knees.

This is my Parabody seated calf. Note the rectangular knee pads.

nice.. what about this little devil here

http://longisland.craigslist.org/spo/3494480354.html

[Stasher1]

nice.. what about this little devil here

http://longisland.craigslist.org/spo/3494480354.html

I think that one is worth looking at in person. Keep in mind, these things typically aren't fast movers. There usually aren't people lining up to grab them when they show up on CL, so you have a bit of leverage when it comes time to negotiate.

I'd go look at it with two 20's, a 10, and a couple 5's in my pocket, and start the negotiation somewhere around $40. You ought to be able to take that one home for $50-60.

I paid $40 for mine, but the seller originally had it listed for over $100.

[iwantsize6969]

I think that one is worth looking at in person. Keep in mind, these things typically aren't fast movers. There usually aren't people lining up to grab them when they show up on CL, so you have a bit of leverage when it comes time to negotiate.

I'd go look at it with two 20's, a 10, and a couple 5's in my pocket, and start the negotiation somewhere around $40. You ought to be able to take that one home for $50-60.

I paid $40 for mine, but the seller originally had it listed for over $100.

Thank you my man- its a bit far from me-- like 45 mins - an hour.. but I guess if the price is right then hey.

im gonna also call this one for 250.. but im thinking to offer 100.. think ill get it?http://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/sgd/3473939126.html

[Jetigen]

im gonna also call this one for 250.. but im thinking to offer 100.. think ill get it?http://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/sgd/3473939126.html

I'd go with Cybex. $100 is too low in my opinion. But you never know. Somebody here got 130 lbs Powerblock set with a stand for $100.

I have Body Masters seated calf. Don't even remember how much I paid for it, but I love the machine and intend on keeping it.

[Stasher1]

Thank you my man- its a bit far from me-- like 45 mins - an hour.. but I guess if the price is right then hey.

im gonna also call this one for 250.. but im thinking to offer 100.. think ill get it?http://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/sgd/3473939126.html

Now you're thinking like a true equipment junkie.

You'll fit in well around here.

I'd go with Cybex. $100 is too low in my opinion. But you never know. Somebody here got 130 lbs Powerblock set with a stand for $100.

I have Body Masters seated calf. Don't even remember how much I paid for it, but I love the machine and intend on keeping it.

The Cybex is definitely a nicer unit, and would be my choice of the two...but the wallet often has the final say.

[deadwoodgregg]

im gonna also call this one for 250.. but im thinking to offer 100.. think ill get it?http://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/sgd/3473939126.html

I would get on it and demo it to see if you like it first. If I didnt like something about it, I wouldnt get it. More deals will come. It just depends on the seller but I doubt you will get it for less than $150 but there is nothing wrong with starting lower. Most (not all) experienced Craigslist sellers will list an item a little higher than what they will actually take because they know that there are Stasher1's out there that will beat them down on price.

[iwantsize6969]

Now you're thinking like a true equipment junkie.

You'll fit in well around here.



The Cybex is definitely a nicer unit, and would be my choice of the two...but the wallet often has the final say.

AHH MAN INDUCT ME IN THE CREW!!!!! Whole garage full of equipment = nothing new. Heh, and i have a job now and can technically pay for a gym memebership-- but deal with the lines, the gas money, the parking, the time, waiting for equipment------heeeeeeeeeallllllllllllllllll noooooo!!

tomorrow is go-time on that cybex, hopefully that bitch is mine!!

worst comes to worst i'd take the 75 dollar one but we'll see.

get massive and aesthetic all in the home gym- SAY WORD!@!!!

[HealthNutMD]

http://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/sgd/3473939126.html Be patient. I am not familiar with this one and would not offer full asking price. Stuff like this comes up quite often. Better quality will come if you are patient. Icarian, Bodymasters, Magnum, Nebula, Cybex are brands that you should look for. Vertical/angled weight horns tend to be better designs than horizontal.

What Gregg says.... buy the brands he mentioned used. Don't buy that terrible sears thing...

Yes, that cybex one is decent.

there are probably 10 of those for sale in EBAY or at www.usedgymequipment.com and similar places. If you don;t get that one, there are a bunch more on the market. Don't rush.

[HealthNutMD]

It has those round foam knee pads that will compress and you'll wind up with a steel bar across your knees.

BWahahahahaha!!!!

No doubt!!

[iwantsize6969]

What Gregg says.... buy the brands he mentioned used. Don't buy that terrible sears thing...

Yes, that cybex one is decent.

there are probably 10 of those for sale in EBAY or at www.usedgymequipment.com and similar places. If you don;t get that one, there are a bunch more on the market. Don't rush.

ok problem guys.. the cybex one is 250 not negotiable!!! its also by a dealer company not an individual.. i cant find anything else besides nybarbell new one for like 269.. what do i do???

[HealthNutMD]

It looks to be in excellent condition... I'd, get it at 250.00. Or I'd keep looking. Even heavily discounted that cybex has to be 450 new after discount. Probably retails at 650.00ish although Id have to check

[ndmike99]

ok problem guys.. the cybex one is 250 not negotiable!!! its also by a dealer company not an individual.. i cant find anything else besides nybarbell new one for like 269.. what do i do???

$250 is a little high, but that is a quality calf raise. That is the exact model I have and I do not plan on ever buying another. In fact I had a hammer strength one in next to new condition and got rid of it because I liked the Cybex better. If your choice is between $250 for a Cybex that you will have forever and a NYBarbell I would grab the Cybex if your budget allows.

[iwantsize6969]

if i can get a good price on the nybarbell one say 200 would it really matter that much? i mean im only doig seated calf raises say twice a week.. so will the cybex one really make a differnence? its just for me.. so does it really matter to have somehing that proffesional?

[HealthNutMD]

Cybex is 3 times as good. Get that for 250 or try to find it for 200 elsewhere, but might take a few.months. If I.were in your shoes id pay the 250. And.get the.cybex...

[irongrandpa]

if i can get a good price on the nybarbell one say 200 would it really matter that much? i mean im only doig seated calf raises say twice a week.. so will the cybex one really make a differnence? its just for me.. so does it really matter to have somehing that proffesional?

I wouldn't dream of paying $200 for the NYBarbell one , if you're going to spend that much, get the Cybex. If that's not in your budget, get the Bodysolid one for $50-$75

[AttyGuy]

I've a few comments on this thread. I recently bought a new Body-Solid seated calf raise, GSCR349. I paid far less than the nearly $600 price tag and it is a beast, though it does not come with Oly weight horn adapters. I looked for a quality calf raise on cl and didn't find anything to my liking. So, I bought new. Not a problem since I've socked away some money from gear flipping.

Regarding the Cybex, without knowing anything about condition or the particular model, $250 strikes me as a reasonable amount from equipment from that company. Yes, you could do better, but you may not see another one again for a long time. Patience and luck (and possibly not being picky) are the requirements for a successful home gym used gear buyer. There's no sin in paying close to market rate for good equipment.

Finally, I wanted to comment on something deadwoodgregg said:

Most (not all) experienced Craigslist sellers will list an item a little higher than what they will actually take because they know that there are Stasher1's out there that will beat them down on price.

I know what the market rate is on everything I sell. I always price what I sell a little lower than market rate. I'm not interested in squeezing every last penny out of a sale. I'm interested in making a good return with a return to liquidity so that I can have cash on hand for more equipment purchases. I react poorly when a buyer tries haggling with me. I figure if the buyer knows the market, then he/she knows I'm offering a fair (if not a tremendous) deal and the buyer should act accordingly. I don't disagree with deadwoodgregg, I just wanted to share with others here who may not be as sophisticated on cl, a different approach to selling used gear.