Calves and weights used

[b fold the truth]

What are your opinions about training calves...especially for my purposes.

I get a lot of explosive work when I do my events (tire flip, sled dragging, harness pull, etc...) and the ankle works to stabalize most any walking movement that I do.

If you look on my dynamic lower, 4-24-02 post I put up today...you can see what I am doing for calves. Any thoughts?

Should I find a way to use heavy weights when I do them. Is the weight that I use on them going to directly affect my performance on event day?

There is not a lot that I can do, but I can tell a difference from just working them on a regular basis.

B True

 

[Thaibox]

Do you feel like your calves are hindering your events for some reason?

 

[b fold the truth]

Not especially...no.

I do know that lots of strongmen have calf problems...tears, sprains, etc...

B True

 

[The Shadow]

Not especially...no.

I do know that lots of strongmen have calf problems...tears, sprains, etc...

B True

From a bb approach - I think standing calf raises should be done with a MINIMUM of 150% of bodyweight as you are doing one-legged calf raises(to some drgree) all day.

 

[b fold the truth]

I could do standing calf raises with a bar on my back...but can't get a full stretch.

285 x 1.5= 427.5

Wow...that is a lot of weight. Maybe true though, probably is. What kind of rep range should I be looking at with these types of weights? I really have done very little for my calves in years...

B True

 

[ZZuluZ]

I thought you'd be lifting huge weights calf wise. Once you start training them they should gain really quickly.

Quick suggestion:

Seems like donkey calf raises may have a better carryover to some exercises, taking body angle into account.

-Zulu

 

[The Shadow]

I could do standing calf raises with a bar on my back...but can't get a full stretch.

285 x 1.5= 427.5

Wow...that is a lot of weight. Maybe true though, probably is. What kind of rep range should I be looking at with these types of weights? I really have done very little for my calves in years...

B True

Well - two choices - barbell acoss back. I'll hit the second one in a minute.


I use 315-335 for standing calf raise for 12-15 reps. I do NOT trian for the bottom "stretch" as the exercise is not a stretch postion for calves. Donkey Calf Raises are though. I think your training would benefit from a mix of standing and especially seated.
Note that calves have a short stroke - therefore more reps are required,(same with forearms and abs for that matter. THe old saying that these muscle groups require more reps is actually true) to meet the TUT for growth/strength etc.


What would be interesting is for you to try heavy dumbells and do one leg at a time on the standing raises. Perhaps even a farmer's walk tube........interesting idea......

 

[Screwball]

This is something to keep in mind. I read this sometime ago but I think it is fairly accurate. Evertime you take a step you exert 2-3 times you bodyweight in force and the calves take the brunt of the load. When you jump and sprint you exert 5-7 times your bodyweight. With that being said, the calves need to be trained with extremely heavy weight or ultra-high reps in order to force adaptation.

 

[b fold the truth]

Cornholio: I may try donkeys tomorrow after I do my tire flip. I can try to do some sort of standing or seated on Wednesday and then some donkey's on Sunday.

I haven't done either in a while.

If you have any other ideas...please shoot them my way.

B True

 

[coolcolj]

Try this one out - did wonders for my calves many years ago - added 3 inches in a month!

Get some old boots or shoes, and stick a 2inch wooden block at the front under the balls of your foot - like a Strength Shoe.
Go and walk around on these 3 times a week, don't let your heels touch the ground. Best to do it on grass. Start with 5 mins and build up to 30mins of walking. You'll pack on size like nothing. It burns like heck though - very painful!

Not only will your calves blow up, but they'll get mighty hard and strong, and your vertical leap will go up too!