Training the Calves

[lylemcd]

Originally Posted by toiletmoose

"if the knee is bent, the gastroc can’t contribute as significantly to force ooutput"

Other than that, very useful. Will definitely give the routine a try.

ooutput is canadian.

Thanks

[lylemcd]

Originally Posted by Sugar

I have noticed pain in my achiles tendom doing heavy sets of calf raises (sets of 3 reps). I don't know if it was due to the heavy weigth, or due to an excessive lowering phase (as low as I could).

Do you recomend training one-joint exercises like that with less than 5 reps?, is it dangerous?.

Sure, you can do it if you're careful. Most aren't careful and or load up too much weight. 5 reps is usually my go to low rep range for hypertrohpy

Adding, the key to making heavy low rep work, err, work without injury is that you have to gradually move into it. If you have someone who has only ever done high rep sets and jump them to low reps, they get problems becasue the connective tissues aren't adapted. there's a progression that needs to be followed and most don't do it. And their joints fall off.

Lemme guess what you did: Waterbury....

[Sugar]

Originally Posted by lylemcd

Sure, you can do it if you're careful. Most aren't careful and or load up too much weight. 5 reps is usually my go to low rep range for hypertrohpy

Adding, the key to making heavy low rep work, err, work without injury is that you have to gradually move into it. If you have someone who has only ever done high rep sets and jump them to low reps, they get problems becasue the connective tissues aren't adapted. there's a progression that needs to be followed and most don't do it. And their joints fall off.

Lemme guess what you did: Waterbury....

Nothing like that. Simply a heavy set of 3 (after warm up) in the hack machine, and then 10' of EDT with an 8RM.

The set of 3 was simply to mantain strength while building some mass.

[jc]

fwiw, I have beendoing seated calves for lack of equipment in my new gym. nothing. no progress. today I rigged a smith machine setup to do standing calves on a box. really good feel so far. I will continue and see if I can get these durn calves to grow. too bad I can't donate some meat from my can or thighs to my calves.

I do have decent insertion points so I think the potential is there.

I am afraid it's going to take more volume than I really want to waste my time with. talking like 5x5-8 and 3-4x10. calves to me are like arms. I hate working them but I know it's important to do so.

frawk

[monkeyarms]

Originally Posted by jc

calves to me are like arms. I hate working them but I know it's important to do so.

first time i've heard of a guy not liking arm workouts...

I don't like working calves either, but I do enjoy the female attention when my calves get really pumped up. I have to beat them off with a stick.

[jc]

Originally Posted by monkeyarms

first time i've heard of a guy not liking arm workouts...

I don't like working calves either, but I do enjoy the female attention when my calves get really pumped up. I have to beat them off with a stick.

so you have to work your calves to get chicks?

[monkeyarms]

Originally Posted by jc

so you have to work your calves to get chicks?

That is the secret.....

Also, being wealthy helps (which is why I have to stick to calves).

[lylemcd]

I figure that, for the most part, the only muscles that folks might actually see in a work or social situation (e.g. shorts and short-sleeve t-shirt) would be calves, forearms and traps. I was going to design the 'Peripheral Muscle Group' workout.

Just those three, make you look like you trained really hard but that's all that would be developed. All show, no go.

I often have far too much time on my hands.

[monkeyarms]

Originally Posted by lylemcd

I figure that, for the most part, the only muscles that folks might actually see in a work or social situation (e.g. shorts and short-sleeve t-shirt) would be calves, forearms and traps. I was going to design the 'Peripheral Muscle Group' workout.

Just those three, make you look like you trained really hard but that's all that would be developed. All show, no go.

Would that be the male equivalent of the push up bra?

[lylemcd]

What's that silly Nate Green book that T-nation is pushing: All show, no go.

Or "How to get laid in college by looking buff but being weak as anything."