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Post by Bruce Tackett on May 4, 2020 2:10:50 GMT
I was sent this link from a friend......... elderstrength.com/calf-raises-seniors/I was cursed with those those long calves and I just couldn't put any appreciable size on them. I did a lot of calf raises on a block, but they never felt really effective, like they were just missing the mark. And then I got Marlon Birch's Beyond Self Resistance, and the wall calf exercise he shows in that book was worth the price of the book. I found it to be an extremely effective calf exercise, and after doing it over a period of time, I finally started building that muscle on the inside of the calves which had always eluded me.
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Silverlooks
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Training with Overcoming Isometrics exclusively since Jan 2017 - Using Sierra Hook + Iso-Strap
Posts: 220
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Post by Silverlooks on May 4, 2020 9:07:39 GMT
With isometrics being my sole strength training regimen, I found it difficult first to develop the calves, as I could neither grasp the "heel raises against strap" exercise, nor did the body-weight calf raise hold (with flexing) do any good for me, then I saw Steve Maxwell doing this: The simple counter resistance with forearms against a wall/door took the intensity to a whole new level, and I could develop my calves since.
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Michael
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He cuts down trees. He wears high heels, suspendies, and a bra?!
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Post by Michael on May 4, 2020 12:26:00 GMT
I agree with that article. I know a lot of guys don't like to separate body parts but for me calves are a good investment. I broke an ankle a good 20 years ago while carrying a log on my shoulder. I stepped in a hole with the log on my shoulder.
Ever since then I've worked calves no matter what anyone says. It feels good and keeps my ankle strong. I work calves 2-3 times a week. If I'm short on time I do the calf raise Bruce is talking about for 50-80 reps. If I have more time I'll do a couple sets of one leg DB raises then the wall calf raise. I also do something to work the opposite muscle with The Hook and Bruce's bands. I put my foot in the Hook, straighten my leg while stretching the band, then pull my toe towards my knee.
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pierinifitness
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His sky is always blue over yonder
Posts: 2,673
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Post by pierinifitness on May 4, 2020 14:00:31 GMT
I've never had calves, still don't and never will. If a dog walked past them, he wouldn't confuse them for a fire hydrant and would hold his leak until he found one.
I remember as a skinny kid, wasting time trying to develop them. I think you either have them or you don't. Every now and then, you see someone who has got killer calves, out of proportion actually and when you see them on a woman, some might almost feel sorry for her. A dog would like to discover them and wizz on them in true dog fashion.
You ever notice fat people? They tend to have big calves and it seems bigger feet. I think it's the time under tension thingy.
I guess my calves work nowadays is the indirect stuff of running, burpees and some KB squat work - good enough for me. I don't worry about being at greater risk for injury having skinny man calves. Got more bigger bacon frying in my fitness pan.
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Michael
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He cuts down trees. He wears high heels, suspendies, and a bra?!
Winner of Twatformetrics Spartan Challenge
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Post by Michael on May 4, 2020 17:45:26 GMT
Bigger Feet, , that be me with my size 13's. Calf work for me also keeps the fatigue low during work. There were times when I would always spraining my ankles. Again I mostly want the injury prevention and muscle endurance that nothing else I've done provides.
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pierinifitness
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His sky is always blue over yonder
Posts: 2,673
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Post by pierinifitness on May 4, 2020 17:50:29 GMT
Bigger Feet, , that be me with my size 13's. Calf work for me also keeps the fatigue low during work. There were times when I would always spraining my ankles. Again I mostly want the injury prevention and muscle endurance that nothing else I've done provides. I had a couple episodes of ankle sprains from playing racquetball. After several years of karate training, I never had ankle problems. My calves didn't get bigger, perhaps they got stronger from the stance work training I did but I think it was more ligaments and tendons that got tougher and a greater awareness of foot placement from stance training. Anyway, I'm not going to do any direct calves training. Don't have the time and don't have the desire.
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Michael
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He cuts down trees. He wears high heels, suspendies, and a bra?!
Winner of Twatformetrics Spartan Challenge
Posts: 5,273
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Post by Michael on May 4, 2020 18:25:02 GMT
I think You're right, ligament and tendons got stronger. My calf training takes minimal time, mostly after a run.
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Post by Deuce Gunner on May 5, 2020 20:55:44 GMT
I was sent this link from a friend......... elderstrength.com/calf-raises-seniors/I was cursed with those those long calves and I just couldn't put any appreciable size on them. I did a lot of calf raises on a block, but they never felt really effective, like they were just missing the mark. And then I got Marlon Birch's Beyond Self Resistance, and the wall calf exercise he shows in that book was worth the price of the book. I found it to be an extremely effective calf exercise, and after doing it over a period of time, I finally started building that muscle on the inside of the calves which had always eluded me. Well I'm glad you clarified that. I always thought you got it from extensive roadwork and beach cruiser bicycle riding on the lonely backroads of Pratt while wearing your Jerusalem Cruisers.
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Post by Bruce Tackett on May 6, 2020 1:27:00 GMT
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captkronos
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If you loved the Shovelglove, here comes the Paddletub!
"You Eat Life or Life Eat You"
Posts: 476
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Post by captkronos on May 11, 2020 0:21:42 GMT
The best calf exercise I ever found was skipping rope. Another good one is taking stairs two at a time on your tip toes.
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stuke
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Posts: 905
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Post by stuke on Oct 17, 2021 18:58:34 GMT
Dredging up an old thread here, but during a rare, I'd much rather avoid it - trip to buy a new pair of jeans, I used the fitting room mirrors to get a snap of my calves. I was pleasantly surprised as they have always been pretty poor, but they look much better than I thought, certainly nit what you could call good calves of course. Definitely superior lighting, I will admit, but if nothing else, makes me want to start training them properly again.
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carlson
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Jabroni
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Post by carlson on Oct 17, 2021 20:04:24 GMT
Dredging up an old thread here, but during a rare, I'd much rather avoid it - trip to buy a new pair of jeans, I used the fitting room mirrors to get a snap of my calves. I was pleasantly surprised as they have always been pretty poor, but they look much better than I thought, certainly nit what you could call good calves of course. View AttachmentDefinitely superior lighting, I will admit, but if nothing else, makes me want to start training them properly again. That reminds me, must throw out those old chicken bones I used to make that broth last night.
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moxohol
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Biohacker
Si vis pacem, para bellum
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Post by moxohol on Oct 17, 2021 20:33:05 GMT
I walk in my ATI Strength Shoes for about 15 minutes. Pump up the calves nicely without alot of conscious effort.
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carlson
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Jabroni
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Post by carlson on Oct 17, 2021 20:48:40 GMT
I walk in my ATI Strength Shoes for about 15 minutes. Pump up the calves nicely without alot of conscious effort. Translation: high heels
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lardy
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Posts: 559
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Post by lardy on Oct 17, 2021 20:49:58 GMT
Pushing something with your whole body will make them massive, My cousins calves are oddly huge and all he did for 3 years at work was push wheelbarrows, also a guy I know who has a paralyzed son walks miles daily with a wheelchair and his quads are like half the size of his calves.
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