[CHAPS]

go super heavy like twice your bodyweight+ on standing calf raises.

[littlemack]

Do you really want to know the secret? Train only calves for 3 weeks. Nothing else. 3 times a week. Seated with high volume. Standing and donkeys with lower volume. I added about an inch to mine in 3 weeks doing this. Was doing standing calf raises with 700-800lbs on a smith machine. Lagging bodyparts need a specialization routine.

[hardknock]

^That sounds like it might have some effect, however, i dont know many that are willing to lose that much strength for calve development.

I know if i missed 3 weeks of bodyparts, i'd be pitifully weak when i started back.

[Rivet]

Originally Posted by CHAPS

go super heavy like twice your bodyweight+ on standing calf raises.

Thats what I do standing with my toes on a block about 5 inches high using the smith machine. Just before my heels touch the floor I go back up again. Do those with an explosive up and a controled eccentric and you will feel it!

[shock]

DC calve training is the answer for me. My calves were never really getting anywhere before this.

[Grifter]

Since most overweight people with big calves work them from walking on them everyday, anyone think it would be overtraining by hitting them in the gym 5-7 days a week?

[thesinner]

Farmer's carries anyone?

I've been trying to hit the calves indirectly lately, and have been feeling it pretty good; though, it's too early to say whether or not it works (plus I still need to get a tape measure).

[smeton_yea]

Originally Posted by shock

DC calve training is the answer for me. My calves were never really getting anywhere before this.

What is DC calve training?

Just goign heavy for me seems to work. Lately i have been goign shoes off . seems to be ok, i go lighter but wowthey get sore fast.

standing calve riases 4-6 reps-max-ot style
Leg press raises both feet or one foot at a time
seated calve rasies
smith machine riases on bloack
i cant do hack squat becauze ikm too tall but i hear they work well

[somewhatgifted]

GEt super fat, lose the weight, i have tiny calves and have no place in this thread, talking.... let the listening commmence.

[MisterEZE]

I love this problem...no remedy in sight. Johnny Drama anyone??

[ShakesAllDay]

Bump... food for thought.

I came across some very interesting info concerning the calve muscles today. Some of which I knew, some not. The calf is made up of two muscles - the gastocnemius (main muscle) and the soleus.



The gastocnemius is comprised primarily of type II fibers. The soleus is comprised primarily of type I fibers. Also, the soleus is the primary mover in seated calf-raises. Considering its origin, this makes sense.

So, putting all this together, it looks like heavy standing calf-raises combined with lighter seated calf-raises would be the most beneficial for optimum calf development.

Thoughts?

[somewhatgifted]

That sounds logical to me, to each his own, does this work for you?

[ShakesAllDay]

Originally Posted by somewhatgifted

That sounds logical to me, to each his own, does this work for you?

I've never strictly applied these principals, as I've just recently come across them. I have found that lighter weight seated calf-raises helps *thicken* (front to back) my calves.

[rant]I see a lot of people bouncing the plates up and down instead of going slow and controlled, with a deep stretch at the bottom. [/rant]

I haven't yet tried heavy standing calf-raises yet... most of my sets have been in the 10-20 rep range due to my previous thoughts on developing the calves.

I am going to try this hypothesis this next month and log my results in a new thread. I will take measurements and post the training techniques I use for each workout. I'm currently doing a 5-day split, so they will get hit 1x per week (not counting cardio, which is done 3x per week).



edit: I would also like to point out that the angle of the knee seems to greatly affect how each muscle is activated. It seems the gastocnemius muscles originate on the upper thigh bone and insert on the heel (crossing 2 joints). Whereas the soleus originates on the lower leg bone and inserts on the heel (crossing 1 joint). This is very similar to the way the hamstring muscles are... hence the effectiveness of utilizing both leg curls and stiff-leg deadlifts.

[somewhatgifted]

Originally Posted by ShakesAllDay

I've never strictly applied these principals, as I've just recently come across them. I have found that lighter weight seated calf-raises helps *thicken* (front to back) my calves.

[rant]I see a lot of people bouncing the plates up and down instead of going slow and controlled, with a deep stretch at the bottom. [/rant]

I haven't yet tried heavy standing calf-raises yet... most of my sets have been in the 10-20 rep range due to my previous thoughts on developing the calves.

I am going to try this hypothesis this next month and log my results in a new thread. I will take measurements and post the training techniques I use for each workout. I'm currently doing a 5-day split, so they will get hit 1x per week (not counting cardio, which is done 3x per week).



edit: I would also like to point out that the angle of the knee seems to greatly affect how each muscle is activated. It seems the gastocnemius muscles originate on the upper thigh bone and insert on the heel (crossing 2 joints). Whereas the soleus originates on the lower leg bone and inserts on the heel (crossing 1 joint). This is very similar to the way the hamstring muscles are... hence the effectiveness of utilizing both leg curls and stiff-leg deadlifts.

I totally agree. Just curious if youve tried it.

[CROWLER]

hmmmmmmmmm just throwing this out there. Look at bike racers who actually have some muscle. Many have BIG calves especially when looked at in comparison to their upper bodies.

They perform 100 revolutions per minute for literally hours per week. The amount of weight they push is very little compared to say calf raises.


CROWLER

[rpen22]

That's a good point. I believe Steve Reeves used to attribute his calf development partly to his days as a paperboy, riding his bike up hills. I'm pretty sure I read that in his book. Either that or the low carbs are making me quite creative...