Article: Massive Calves
- Thread starter The Press
- Start date
kohai66
New member
I love calf articles, mostly because nobody can agree with what lifting method is best for calves. I agree with the article's perspective on training like a gymnast or sprinter for developing these respective areas.
However, as a guy who was blessed with muscular calves, I have had several lifting partners that were runners that did both heavy weights and also workouts like these. Unfortunately, none of them ever broke 15in. barrier. Due inpart to some very long muscle bellies. Until they met me.
I had them do which ever calf work that was best for them that gave them the best satisfaction, but I had them start abusing their fore legs. What does this mean? It means toe raises for the Tibialis (thank you shin-splints), AND doing exercises for the smaller muscles that invert and evert the sole of the foot.
I know this works cause I was stuck at 15 to 16 range and was running and getting shin-splints, I started doing toe raises and added an inch.
Enter sticking point 2. Then while doing martial arts and noticed some of the guys had freakily developed lower legs from all the kicking, and I started working these muscles and added more size, putting me up to the 18 inch mark and getting my workout partners past their 15 inch plateau.
So, to summarize, work the calves (soleus and gastrocnemius) so you feel good about the work you have done, but make sure you keep the balance and FOCUS on the fronts, sides and internal muscles.
However, as a guy who was blessed with muscular calves, I have had several lifting partners that were runners that did both heavy weights and also workouts like these. Unfortunately, none of them ever broke 15in. barrier. Due inpart to some very long muscle bellies. Until they met me.
I had them do which ever calf work that was best for them that gave them the best satisfaction, but I had them start abusing their fore legs. What does this mean? It means toe raises for the Tibialis (thank you shin-splints), AND doing exercises for the smaller muscles that invert and evert the sole of the foot.
I know this works cause I was stuck at 15 to 16 range and was running and getting shin-splints, I started doing toe raises and added an inch.
Enter sticking point 2. Then while doing martial arts and noticed some of the guys had freakily developed lower legs from all the kicking, and I started working these muscles and added more size, putting me up to the 18 inch mark and getting my workout partners past their 15 inch plateau.
So, to summarize, work the calves (soleus and gastrocnemius) so you feel good about the work you have done, but make sure you keep the balance and FOCUS on the fronts, sides and internal muscles.
hugry4more
Active member
Needed this
Sardonumspa
New member
So its basically a standing calf raise without standing on some sort of platform or ledge??
Vitaly
New member
Big Calves
About Ballet and calf size. My son was as skinny as they come; he danced since he was 9 until 33. His Calves are huge! Moreover, his wife has even proportionally bigger calves.
Maintaining the balance. Stay close to a wall so that your butt slides along the wall up-down.
PS. 1.Just in case... If u are new to calf raises, start easy; definitely not every day - u may not be able to walk next day!
2. Brewster suggests 2x8 SLOW warm-up sets plus 2x20 fast once.
3. Some recommend alternating toe 'in' and 'out'.
4. Chad Waterbury suggests hopping on 1 leg
5. Choose your poison; here is another article from page-7:
......serious-calf-growth
It happens to all of us.... Please look at the picture - he's using a block.
About Ballet and calf size. My son was as skinny as they come; he danced since he was 9 until 33. His Calves are huge! Moreover, his wife has even proportionally bigger calves.
Maintaining the balance. Stay close to a wall so that your butt slides along the wall up-down.
PS. 1.Just in case... If u are new to calf raises, start easy; definitely not every day - u may not be able to walk next day!
2. Brewster suggests 2x8 SLOW warm-up sets plus 2x20 fast once.
3. Some recommend alternating toe 'in' and 'out'.
4. Chad Waterbury suggests hopping on 1 leg
5. Choose your poison; here is another article from page-7:
......serious-calf-growth
hugry4more
Active member
I've been doing this for bout 3 weeks now and I still can't get past 60 reps. Seeing tiny bit growth though so it looks promising.
hugry4more
Active member
^^ agreed
hugry4more
Active member
Make sure to still do seated raises though to train the other muscles