Calf raises

**Donnyhatter** · 20-02-2008 01:55 PM

In the gym I see different methods of calf raises on the (standing) machine- some seem to just bob up and down whereas others (and me) do them more slowly, holding at the top and bottom. i hold for two seconds top and bottom and feel as though they are working well- but I wonder which is the right way? I'm currently doing 3x10.
cheers

**Dadonda** · 20-02-2008 02:06 PM

Both ways have benifits, but why train calves? to get bigger calves right? Why do you want big calves? Now if the answer to that is to compete in BB or just for "the look" (but we mostly wear long trousers) then that is fine.
There are no real benifits to big calves. If we look at the animal kingdom, creatures who jump e.g. frog, kangeroo, rabbit do not have big calves nor do those who run fast cheetah, greyhound, antelope, ostrich.

**Wardie** · 20-02-2008 02:09 PM

You look like an absolute eejit if you have a big upper body and tny chicken leg calves.

I wear a shirt most of the time, should I not bother training my entire upper body? (Not quite the same but you see the point i'm making...)

**Dadonda** · 20-02-2008 02:13 PM

Fair point. I find calves will grow a bit on thier own if you squat often. Maybe, stepping in and out of the rack puts a big load on the calves.

**Shicky** · 20-02-2008 03:44 PM

Quote

Originally Posted by Dadonda

Fair point. I find calves will grow a bit on thier own if you squat often. Maybe, stepping in and out of the rack puts a big load on the calves.

I doubt it, your calves should easily take the load you're squatting. Plus if you do want decent calf muscles you will have to work them harder than any other muscle in the body. If you think about it they're working all day unless you're a lazy bum

**mxd** · 20-02-2008 03:48 PM

I know people who don't train calves and they're very big anyway.
A friend on another board said that his calves have grown about an inch in the past year just from heavy squatting.

Imo calves respond very well to low volume intense heavy work.
I've been doing 1 set of 12 with 20 second negs and my calves kill, they also appear to be getting a better insert but maybe thats just because I'm cutting ?

**Wardie** · 20-02-2008 03:57 PM

Not sure what you mean by better insert, your insert will never change and is down to genetics. Do you mean it's more visible?

**mxd** · 20-02-2008 04:01 PM

No there is more tissue at the bottom on the right side of my right calve (same with other leg), going down to the back of my foot.

**bwlc** · 20-02-2008 04:04 PM

I believe in balence in a physique, this is especially important for athletes and sports people who want to stay injury free.

**Dadonda** · 20-02-2008 04:12 PM

Isn't it the case that it is hard to get calves to grow because they need big loads to stimulate them. Like has been said we use them all the time walking and that does little and nor would calf rasies unless the load is big. Hence why I speculate that large squatting loads might stimulate thier growth. I know some power lifters who have big calves but do not train them directly