My stupid calves wont grow

[JUICE]

Originally posted by BronzedGoddess
I spent 150 bucks on strength shoes. have not had the chance to really use them. I'll let ya know if it works. Jumping rope helped but I still have the smallest calves.

hey gril, do u have the rpogram, cause i have the damn shoes but dont have the program. I dont even know how ot use them

[BronzedGoddess]

hey babe, yeah I got the tape. It's back in storage with the rest of my stuff in Texas but I should be getting all that next month. I'll send it to you if you'd like.

I didn't use the program yet. I was walking around my house in them and jumping rope at first. trying to build my lower legs up before I started.

[Stonecold54]

not trying to be a jerk but do you guys honestly think that some High-toe shoes are going to replace calf-raises. building muscle requires a stimulus that your body perceives as a threat to its existence. that is why we train so hard. I don't think shoes will accomplish that.

[BronzedGoddess]

true BUT if you place your full body weight on you toes and not your heel your body will respond. You don't have to try it, but it has worked for people I know so I'm giving it a try. I NEVER said not to use weight did I? There's more than 1 way to skin a cat.......

[Ditsz]

Originally posted by Nekrawulf
Most peoples calves dont respond to heavy weight.. its due to the type of muscle fibres. Try medium weight with insane reps...50-100 speed and intensity is the key.

Nekra, I weigh in at a whopping 101 pounds LMAO, 5 ft 4" and bodyfat is 17.5%. I've only been back into my training the last 2 months and am finding it impossible as to what excercises to do with calves, everybody says something different. Can you recommend a calve program? I saw mentioned the: cooked calved in under 4 minutes article. Where can I get it, I'd love to try it out?

:D

[needsize]

Nelson Montana, the author from elite has a calve program that anyone who has tried it says they got results.
You pick a weight that you can get 20 reps on raises. You do your 20 reps, hit failure, and rack it. You take a very short rest, say 10-15 seconds, go for as many more reps as you can get, then another really short rest period. You continue with this until you hit 75 reps. This would take you well beyond the pain zone. I havent tried it as I'm dieting for a show so no chance of gaining size anyway, but as soon as its over I plan on giving it a try

[Nekrawulf]

Originally posted by Ditsz
Nekra, I weigh in at a whopping 101 pounds LMAO, 5 ft 4" and bodyfat is 17.5%. I've only been back into my training the last 2 months and am finding it impossible as to what excercises to do with calves, everybody says something different. Can you recommend a calve program? I saw mentioned the: cooked calved in under 4 minutes article. Where can I get it, I'd love to try it out?

:D

http://www.superiormuscle.com/vbulle...=&threadid=390


Basically the idea is the same as the program Needsize has mentioned by Nelson Montana. You have to push your calves far into the pain threshhold. That is the way they are designed...to hurt before they are even close to breaking down. That way you can alway be able to walk...theroetically.

Just push yourself far into the pain threshhold, using reps, to grow....that is a rule that has worked for anyone with lagging calves.

With this program twice a week... Ive put on almost half an inch in a month and a half.

[JUICE]

sounds good bro's

[Ditsz]

Originally posted by Nekrawulf
http://www.superiormuscle.com/vbulle...=&threadid=390


Basically the idea is the same as the program Needsize has mentioned by Nelson Montana. You have to push your calves far into the pain threshhold. That is the way they are designed...to hurt before they are even close to breaking down. That way you can alway be able to walk...theroetically.

Just push yourself far into the pain threshhold, using reps, to grow....that is a rule that has worked for anyone with lagging calves.

With this program twice a week... Ive put on almost half an inch in a month and a half.

Thanks very much, I am going to try that..
Appreciate your help!
:D

[bigpump23]

you ever tried donkey calf raises? i never grew til i tried them then they blew up

[leankid]

I'm sure you guys have seen this, but I thought it was appropriate for the thread...

You hear it all the time, "My calves are never going to grow, its genetics!" The problem with this statement is it's TRUE. It's not the genetics part of the statement that’s true, it's the part about your calves never growing that is true. The reason for this is that the genetics argument is just an excuse not to train your calves hard. When you say my calves are never going to grow you have already put yourself in the frame of mind that they aren't going to grow. I guarantee that if you change your way of thinking about calf training you will see new growth to your calves.

FORGET ABOUT GENETICS
We can sit here all day and debate whether being genetically gifted determines your potential to build great calves. Or, we can get busy and start some hardcore calf training. The key to calf training can be summed up in one word - intensity. If you just go through the motions, up and down on the standing calf raise machine, your calves will not grow. The reason calves do not respond to low-intensity training is because they are used to being worked all day long, everyday. Think about it, the weight of your body is on your calves every time you walk up stairs, get up from a chair or just walk to your car. Therefore, it is important to really raise the intensity level when training calves.

Before we move on to the actual calf workout, let me attempt to explain to you what I consider intensity. Intensity is basically having the mental stamina to break certain pain barriers. For some reason (most likely due to the type of muscle fiber), calves are extremely painful to train once you have gotten to that last rep. The bad news is that is when your calves start growing. When your calves really start burning, that's when we start counting reps. Remember what I said about intensity, it's the ability to break through pain barriers.

TIPS TO SUCCESSFULLY TRAIN YOUR CALVES
Don't worry, we will get down to the nitty gritty, but first I want to share some important techniques with you. After reading this, you will inevitably see people in the gym making these same mistakes that you may be making now. First, train calves in flat-soled shoes such as Otomix footwear. Even better, train your calves in barefeet. You got it, take your tennis shoes or boots off before you start your calf routine.

Second, your stance is very important when training calves. Probably the biggest mistake that I see people make when training calves is having your knees bent too much. Remember, we want to take the quads out of the movement and isolate the calves. Slightly bent is ok, but I prefer your legs to be as straight as you can get them. Your feet should be positioned with your heels a little wider than your toes. It is very important that the pressure of the movement is directly on your big toe. Having the weight over your big toe will really help you get a full contraction on every rep.

A tip that is often overlooked is calf stretching. I really like to stretch my calves hard before training them. As a matter of fact, I have seen two different apparatus' designed to specifically stretch the calf muscles. Without getting too technical the calves are made of the soleus and the gastrocnemius. To stretch the soleus, use a seated calf machine with no weight and stretch. To stretch the gastrocnemius use the standing calf raise and stretch your heels to the ground. Also, I try to stretch my calves frequently between sets.

Finally, you want to concentrate on getting a full contraction on each and every rep. When you go down you will literally feel like you are sliding off the calf machine. When you are at the top of the movement you will almost be standing on your big toes. You may have already noticed the guys who use huge weight and bounce every rep have small calves???

LETS GET IT ON
Workout One

Exercise #1
If you thought I was kidding about training intensity, you are about to get tested right away. This first movement will teach you what I mean by having the mental stamina to break through pain barriers. Since most people like to do standing calf raises first then that's where we will begin. The difference is we are going to do a set of fifty reps. You will perform all fifty reps consecutively, but it will be broken down into 5 mini sets of ten reps. Set up the standing calf raise with a weight you ordinarily can get for twenty reps. Now, perform 10 slow, strict reps followed by 10 bounce reps (literally bounce up and down for ten reps), then 10 slow, strict reps, then 10 bounce reps, then finish with 10 slow strict reps. Do not rest between the strict and bounce reps. You are doing 50 straight reps. If you do not feel like puking, then you did not go far enough. Your calves should be burning so bad that it feels like someone stuck a knife in the back of them. Ordinarily, I do not recommend bouncing on any exercise. As a matter of fact, I suggest a full, slow contraction on all of your other calf exercises. The purpose for the bouncing in this exercise is to utilize both the fast and slow twitch muscle fibers in your calves. In essence, we are not really bouncing but simply changing the tempo of the reps to a faster pace. Therefore, it is extremely important that you stretch your calves properly before starting this exercise.

Exercise #2
This time we are going to concentrate on one calf at a time. This exercise may seem a little strange at first, but you will really like it. Have you ever gone out for the day boating and the next day your calves are really sore. This soreness is from using the stabilizing muscles for balance that you are not used to working in the gym. To begin this exercise you will need a platform such as the bent-over row platform and a dumbbell. Use a dumbbell that is about the same weight that you usually start dumbbell curls with. Now, stand on the platform with only your toes on the edge and hold the dumbbell in one hand. Go up and down slowly with the dumbbell held by your side. You will probably need to hold onto the side of the platform for balance. Once you have mastered this motion, begin to move the dumbbell to the front of your body in a different position each rep. The key to counting reps on this exercise is to only count the reps that burn. Once you start feeling pain then start counting. After you have completed one calf, switch the dumbbell to the other hand and work the other calf. Perform three sets on each calf (remember only count the reps that burn). Some people prefer to do this exercise at the beginning of their routine because it really works the stabilizing muscles. I have had people tell me that their calves still feel fresh after crushing them on this movement.

Exercise #3
The final exercise in this calf routine is the donkey calf raise. Unfortunately some gyms are not equipped with a donkey calf raise machine. If your gym does not have a donkey machine you can do the same movement on a platform with your training partner on your back. If you have a donkey machine you will be doing three drop sets. Use a relatively heavy weight for your first set. Without rest, pull the pin and switch to a lighter weight. Once again go til failure. Without rest again, pull the pin and go very light for a high rep set. This is referred to as a triple drop set. You will have tears in your eyes when you are through. If you do not have a donkey machine, simply have your partner sit on your back while your toes are on a platform. You may use a weighted belt or have your partner hold some plates. On your first set go until failure and then have your partner drop the weight. Do another set until failure. For your final set have your partner get off your back and do a high rep set. People in the gym may loo at you like you are crazy, but just wait until your calves begin to explode.

Workout Two - The Gauntlet

I recommend training calves twice a week. Do not train calves as an afterthought. Treat calves like they are bi's, tri's or chest. In other wards train them consistently and intensely. Speaking of intensity, workout two is quick and painful. It consists of two giant supersets . Most gyms have their calf equipment situated next to one another. You will need to occupy three different pieces of equipment for this routine. You can use the donkey calf machine, seated calf machine, standing calf raise machine, leg press calf raises or angled calf raise machine. If your gym only has two of these machines then you can always substitute one legged standing calf raises (described above).

This workout consists of doing the first exercise, then jumping on the next piece of equipment, then jumping on a final piece of equipment. Each set will be with a weight that you can handle for at least 10 reps, but always go until failure. As soon as you are finished your first set immediately jump on the next two machines and do the same thing. It is necessary to set up all three machines prior to your giant set so that you do not rest while loading plates. When you are finished your first giant set your calves will burn so bad they will be numb. That's what you want!

F@#% YOU JASON MY CALVES ARE KILLING ME
There is no doubt that if you train your calves correctly with the necessary intensity they will grow. You will be cursing me all the way to the water fountain and when trying to drive your stick shift car home, but it will be worth it. I believe that so many people have mediocre calf development because of the extreme pain that is required to build quality calves. Also, building huge calves takes time and patience. Hopefully, after some grueling calf workouts of your own, you will be able to laugh at the person who says they train their calves hard.

The payoff for the tears rolling down your face when you finish a set of 50 reps is simple. First, you have built up the mental stamina to break through pain barriers. Second, your calves will be immediately noticed and commented on by people who see them. There is no mistaking who trains their calves hard and who goes through the motions. I don't know of a more impressive sight in the gym then a pair of stacked calves.

[Nekrawulf]

Originally posted by bigpump23
you ever tried donkey calf raises? i never grew til i tried them then they blew up

I actually rotate between standing, sitting, and donkey raises with my calve workouts.

[chromo56]

ok i did the sets of 30 for the lifts but it burns in my ass byu around rep 20. what am i doing wrong?

[Stonecold54]

ok i did the sets of 30 for the lifts but it burns in my ass byu around rep 20. what am i doing wrong?

is there anyone standing behind you with a lisp? :woot:

[Shibby]

:rofl: