Calves

[MAK2102]

Hey guys, a quick question. I have had trouble my whole life, getting my legs to grow at the same rate as the rest of my body (especially my calves). I have been told everything from it being the wrong exercises (low reps, heavy weight) to simple genetics. My upper body grows fast and while my legs and calves get strong, they will not put on the mass I would like. Thanks in advance.

[pigmeat]

Re: Calves

i feel calves are mostly genetic

[OldWiseGuy]

Re: Calves

Make changes in your w/o. Start doing legs first.

[BIGGER THAN YOU]

Re: Calves

WHAT MADE MINE GROW WAS LIGHT WIEGHT AND SETS OF 50!!!! PLUS I ALSO WORK OUT THE FRONT ASWELL I DO THIS ON A SEATED LEG PRES AND JUST WITH MY TOES I ROCK IT UPWARDS.. IF YOU CAN PICTURE IT!!

[FUZO]

Re: Calves

THATS WHAT IN TRY AND DO IS ALOT OF REPS BUT I USE HEAVY WIEGHTS. HIT ALL THE WAYS YOU CAN DO CALVE EXERCISES

[MAK2102]

Re: Calves

Thanks guys, ill give that a shot

[CeasarIM]

Re: Calves

Is it possible to over work them and prevent them from growing?

[TheChosen1]

Re: Calves

Is it possible to over work them and prevent them from growing?

Like every muscle, they need time to rest. Although some people will work their smaller muscles (abs, calves, forearms) on a daily basis.

[T-Man007]

Re: Calves

It is genetics but you can still maximize the results by doing the right exercises. The thing I find interesting for myself is the two muscle groups that are my absolute strongest, delts and calves, were the ones that I did a lot of drop sets on in my early years. On both groups I would get a weight that would only allow me about 5 reps and as soon as I got that 5th rep I dropped the weight and did another 5 or so and would keep dropping. For delts it would be lateral raises of 35/25/15 on the db's, on calves I would use the standing calf machine and put the whole stack on. I've always had very very stong calves. At one point I could put 18 45's on the leg press and do 12 calf extensions. This is no lie, I've always had sick strength in my calves. It's always been that way. Of course, after my Achilles tear, I don't do that stuff anymore. I stay at 15 reps and up and do much more slow reps and hole the contraction for a second or two. At this point, I can walk on the treadmill and that's all my calves need. So, this is obviously a genetic thing. But I've had several calf challenged people do the drop set technique and they were able to bring their calves out. Now, I will say this because this is what I did but not typically was I recommend. The reps on both my calves and delt drop sets were NOT slow and controlled. I used a pretty quick pace and would keep dropping until it burned so bad I could not stand it. Then, I'd do that two more times. But, I only did this once a week, that's it. Like I said, those are my two best body parts so I think the drop sets played a role in that for sure.

Here's a pic of one of my calves when I wasn't even training regularly...

[T-Man007]

Re: Calves

Is it possible to over work them and prevent them from growing?

Yes, and when I'm doing something that uses them more (football, hiking, etc) I don't even hit them in the gym. I never trained calves at all in HS because I played sports year round and they got hit doing football, wrestling and track. It wasn't until I got out of HS that I added them to my program because I wasnt' doing as much running then. If you are not active, then you may be able to hit them twice a week, but I only hit mine once a week in the gym.

[BIGMOFO]

Re: Calves

i have big cut calves likes tboy lol i stretch the hell out of mine and work the front as well. i use the hipsld and just use the end of my foot and work the hell of of the suckers and they will grow! mine be 21"

[CeasarIM]

Re: Calves

T-man youre calves are awsome dude.