Calf training problem

[blood_drinker]

I have gotten to the point where I got stronger than my gyms standing calf raise machine and leg press. See, theyre not the type you load the weight on, but the ones that have set weights, and you just insert a pin. What the hell can I do to work em? Jumping squats? Db calf raises: get me too unbalanced.

Ideas are appreciated.

 

[bignate73]

ah yes. welcome to the calf club.

if they have a donkey calf raise, load plates on the back of it. thats what i do. otherwise, bust out slower or higher reps or even.....god forbid.....drop the weight a bit and do single leg. go to a pinloaded leg press and do calf raises there too.

 

[gymtime]

Is it me or do calves seem to be stubborn as hell as far as making gains?

I work the shit out of my calves. Good form, not a lot of weight, no bouncing, all that. But they don't seem to respond all that well. My upper legs are plenty big, respond well. But the calves are a bitch! I end up with legs that look like ice cream cones.

 

[ballast]

I have the same problem with my calves.They have just recently begun to show some development.Here are a few things that have helped me:
1-Unilateral(one-legged)movements-by working one leg at a time, you can focus more effort and intensity on each leg.
2-Incorporate pauses at the top and bottom positions-by holding the top(contracted)position and the bottom(stretch)position for 1-3 seconds on each rep, you can force the calves to work harder.
3-Incorporate calf streches into your routine-this has really helped me.Most people's calf muscles are extremely tight.By frequently stretching the calves, you allow more "room" for calf growth.
4-Descending sets.-This allows you to hit both the fast and slow twitch fibers.I like to start out with a heavy enough weight where, I can only get 4 or 5 full range reps before I can't get into the top position.I drop the weight about 10% and repeat for several sets.
These are just a few techniques that have helped me improve my calves.They might not work for eveyone.

 

[goahead]

A friend of mine (pro bb) pre-exhausts calves with seated calve raises before he hits the standing calve raises.

Otherwise he can use so much weight that:
- it puts strain on his lower back
- he can lift the weight but no longer can hold a peak contraction, wich seems very important for calve development.

Combine this with the suggestions of BALLAST

 

[MonStar1023]

Bro I would try One-DB Calf Raises using drop sets. I like to do these a lot to really torch my calves big time.. I start on a block or a step using one hand for support and balance and the other holding the dumbbell on the side of the leg I am calf-raising. Ill start with an 80, hit around 10-15 reps, move onto a 65-70, move onto a 50-55, and finish with a 40... Really tears my calves up.

 

[Valdez]

A friend of mine (pro bb) pre-exhausts calves with seated calve raises before he hits the standing calve raises.

Otherwise he can use so much weight that:
- it puts strain on his lower back
- he can lift the weight but no longer can hold a peak contraction, wich seems very important for calve development.

Combine this with the suggestions of BALLAST

this is good advice, I concur.

 

[Exodus]

like the pre-exhaust idea...... try super setting.....

use seated, then donkey, and finish up with standing

it works for me

 

[theoak01]

hell all i do for calfs is
standing calf raises 5 sets of about 6-8 soemwhere around 192 kg's
and seated calf raises 5 sets around 250lbs
and ive gained 2 inches on my calfs since last christmas

 

[blaster220]

All great advice... there's something about a burn in the calfs that compares to no other.... it HURTS!