what works to.... bigger calves??

[BlkWS6]

Originally posted by ZZuluZ
It's not the duration that bothers me but the intensity.

99% of the time it is intensity, not frequency or volume, which results in overtraining.

Since the calf muscle is predominately slow twitch and you can use high reps and because it's an isolation exercise, you can go to failure without overly stressing the CNS but I still think what you're doing is overkill.

A good burn is not indicative of a good workout.

-Zulu

A good burn is indicative of taxing a muscle as far as Im concerned. Plus we are talking about calves bro, a muscle group that has to carry my 230lbs ass around every day. So you dont think they are used to intensity!? You're kidding yourself. Im not recommending this routine for chest or biceps, but for a dense muscle group that requires a very very brutal approach to stimulate growth (unless you are the genetically gifted few among us) Doing 5 sets of 10x on a standing barbell are not going to make my calves grow to say the least. But I guess to each their own. My only suggestion is to try it man. Oh btw, this is used sparingly in my routine, once every other week or so to accompany my usual heavy training. Training calves to failure is not going to overly stress your CNS.

 

[ZZuluZ]

'A good burn is indicative of taxing a muscle as far as Im concerned. "

That's why I suggested 500 sets...

Or alternatively you could try 35 drop sets...

"Plus we are talking about calves bro, a muscle group that has to carry my 230lbs ass around every day. So you dont think they are used to intensity!? You're kidding yourself."

No I'm not. During the day they're not going anywhere NEAR NEAR NEAR failure.

" Im not recommending this routine for chest or biceps, but for a dense muscle group that requires a very very brutal approach to stimulate growth (unless you are the genetically gifted few among us) Doing 5 sets of 10x on a standing barbell are not going to make my calves grow to say the least."

Why wouldn't it work? If you incoporate proper periodization, variety you don't need to got 55 reps past failure.

-Zulu

 

[BlkWS6]

That's why I suggested 500 sets...
Please 500 sets doesnt even dicate a burn man. I could space 500 sets across 2 weeks and be just fine. Im stressing short rest, high intensity. You are making a point of volume, which you said is not even responsible for overtraining.


"Plus we are talking about calves bro, a muscle group that has to carry my 230lbs ass around every day. So you dont think they are used to intensity!? You're kidding yourself."

No I'm not. During the day they're not going anywhere NEAR NEAR NEAR failure.
Point is: calves are used to a very high degree of stimulation and use.

" Im not recommending this routine for chest or biceps, but for a dense muscle group that requires a very very brutal approach to stimulate growth (unless you are the genetically gifted few among us) Doing 5 sets of 10x on a standing barbell are not going to make my calves grow to say the least."

Why wouldn't it work? If you incoporate proper periodization, variety you don't need to got 55 reps past failure.
. Bottom line, calves need intensity. Plus, how can you know my recovery? I mean think about it. I know people that train a muscle 2-3x a week and make awesome gains, I do not. We all respond differentely to training, nothing is written in stone. I brought up this routine cause the orginal post said: "post what works for you." If you dont like it fine man, no sweat. If your calves grow off of a low intensity, low volume workout consider it a gift! I just know that I PERSONALLY need exposure to some more intense training to see results. Peace

 

[ZZuluZ]

" Point is: calves are used to a very high degree of stimulation and use. "

No, they are not used to a VERY HIGH DEGREE OF STIMULATION.

'Bottom line, calves need intensity."

SUre, but 55 reps beyond failure?

'lus, how can you know my recovery? I mean think about it. I know people that train a muscle 2-3x a week and make awesome gains, I do not. We all respond differentely to training, nothing is written in stone. I brought up this routine cause the orginal post said: "post what works for you." If you dont like it fine man, no sweat. If your calves grow off of a low intensity, low volume workout consider it a gift! I just know that I PERSONALLY need exposure to some more intense training to see results. Peace "

I completely agree. If it works for you...great! But you told others to try it as well and I don't think it's a good idea.

I'd recommend more sets, and more frequently, not 55 reps beyond failure.

Peace.

-Zulu

 

[BlkWS6]

Originally posted by ZZuluZ
" I completely agree. If it works for you...great! But you told others to try it as well and I don't think it's a good idea.


Peace.

-Zulu

I hear you man, but you assuming that it can't work for others is you assuming once again that all bodies respond the same to training (ie. it would be an overload for everyone), which you and I both know is definitely false. Do I think everyone will see great results? Of course not. But if one single person gets something great out of it, it is worth posting I believe. Thats what I love about this forum, people post all different sorts of ideas, and we all have the chance to try them out and see if they work. You are essentially telling others to try your routine (barbell raises), and I may not think it is a great idea, but far be it from me to try to tell you it isn't something that should be posted (Im not insinuating that you told me I shouldnt post btw). We all respond differentelyk, therefore, I believe a useful thread should be one filled with a bunch of different approaches one can choose from to find what exercise, sets, and reps fit them best. I made my contribution, and you made yours. Cool with me.

 

[ZZuluZ]

Well, I've been trying to dispel the myth that going to failure is necessary to overload a muscle.

Your routine may work, but I fear it may be overtraining.

I feel more volume and more frequency would be a better alternative.

But yes, you've described a routine [or rather, method] worth considering. I was just offering my 2C.

In the end, you have to see what works best for you. I just wanted to show people the other end of the spectrum so they could try that as alternative and stick to what works.

Cheers,

-Zulu