Does anyone here do dedicated calf training? (leg press, bodybuilding, workout)

[McBain II]

That's one of Lyle's best articles. Thanks for posting.

[chrisCD]

I've always been told I have nice calves. Was a sprinter in HS. About 6-years ago I began training for long distance runs. I do various calf exercises along with the runs. I'm not trying to make them bigger, just like to keep them "cut". In addition, I believe the exercises help with reducing cramping.

cd :O)

[essi]

Originally Posted by The Ryu

All Arnold did was workout, eat and use the occasional gear. He was and is still is dedicated to physical health. His workouts were insane.

Yea he definitely is but I read in his autobiography that he did train his calfs every day and did something like 27 reps and 12 sets after each workout. There's no way that's going to be working unless you use some steroids. The recovery just isn't possible I think.

[UrbanAdventurer]

Originally Posted by Cream1

There's no need to hit calfs directly, they're already hit during my a2g squats

Oh no no no my good sir.

[Ruth4Truth]

I knew a woman who has spindly calves who turned them into normal, shapely ones by working out. It can be done. I can't tell you specifically what she did, though. Ask a trainer at your local gym, for starters.

[Valhallian]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

I knew a woman who has spindly calves who turned them into normal, shapely ones by working out. It can be done. I can't tell you specifically what she did, though. Ask a trainer at your local gym, for starters.

Thanks Ruth, I see you on the Seattle forums a lot (I'm Seattle-curious), glad you popped by to comment on my thread!

Honestly though, I'm not gonna be asking a gym trainer for advice for anything. Online resources are much better. I was just genuinely curious to see what people on here did.

[Kings Gambit]

Originally Posted by JK508

Does anyone here do dedicated calf training?

I dont. Not directly. Mine get work from all the other exercises that I do (running, martial arts, squats, lunges, Supermans, yoga, etc.).

I must admit though, that I find it extremely sexy when women have nice developed calf muscles. ESPECIALLY when there is a huge calf to ankle ratio.


http://cdnstatic.visualizeus.com/thu...98a8ad7b_i.jpg
Muscular Female Calves - Page 1 of 120

[Jobster]

I've found that working your calves independently or isolating your calves tend to make them more prone to injury. I think it's best to work them through things like jump roping, hiking, or through full body posterior exercises like deadlifts and kettlebell swings.

Size should be a distant secondary factor, prior to tendon strength and stability. Also, notice that people often have different types of calf muscles.

Some have very long muscles and some have short muscles that form a ball like structure at the top. The people that have short calves will simply not have the genetics to make the entire calf muscle appear to be large.

[hakkarin]

Calf training is a waste of time, since it's mostly genetic. You also train them indirectly in other lower body movements anyway.

[Jbeechuk]

Originally Posted by hakkarin

Calf training is a waste of time, since it's mostly genetic. You also train them indirectly in other lower body movements anyway.

I disagree. I don't have the best genetics for bodybuilding. But if I didn't train my calves 3 times a week, they would be at least 2" smaller. Not a waste of time at all. I may not have 21" calves, but I definitely have added size on them.