A good read on calves

[IHateMyJob2004]

In another thread we started to talk alot about calves. In order to prevent others from missing more discussion, here is a new thread.

This is a good article:
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/topicoftheweek13.htm

It talks about what people like Schwartzeneger did to have big calves. My goal of twice a week might not be enough.

Sorry for the crappy OP. Time for bed.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

A good way to get bigger calves? Eat more. There's only a certain amount of lifting you can do to increase your mass specifically in your calves. The best thing is to just increase overall mass. I still find it interesting that people have the time and wherewithal to focus on something so small. I always find myself working on other, much larger faults (i.e. core weakness, hip mobility, etc) before worrying about how my calves look. It's just interesting to see why different people exercise. I don't care why people do it, as long as the do it 🙂

 

[Xcobra]

My leg workout is relatively limited so I do 'em. Doesn't hurt.

 

[Miramonti]

A good way to get bigger calves? Eat more. There's only a certain amount of lifting you can do to increase your mass specifically in your calves. The best thing is to just increase overall mass. I still find it interesting that people have the time and wherewithal to focus on something so small. I always find myself working on other, much larger faults (i.e. core weakness, hip mobility, etc) before worrying about how my calves look. It's just interesting to see why different people exercise. I don't care why people do it, as long as the do it 🙂

For body building, calves are a must imo and it shows when people don't isolate them at all. Sounds like what you're talking about is distinctly different from the goals of many body builders, who many couldn't run a city block. However even if overall fitness is the goal, it's still looks great to have well-worked calves, men and women (and strong calves also have practical benefits of course.)

 

[melchoir]

Genetic imo, never worked them directly a single day and mine are respectable.

 

[Pantlegz]

Genetic imo, never worked them directly a single day and mine are respectable.

This seems to be the common belief and I agree with it. I don't spend any time work in on my calves directly but they're still 17-18 inches, which may sound big but they look proportionate to my thighs.

 

[Miramonti]

Genetic imo, never worked them directly a single day and mine are respectable.

No doubt can be. Some women have incredible calves too and I can bet they never worked out a day in their lives.

I didn't win the genetic lottery here tho, which is why I'm sure to include them when spending a lot of time exercising.

 

[surfsatwerk]

For body building, calves are a must imo and it shows when people don't isolate them at all. Sounds like what you're talking about is distinctly different from the goals of many body builders, who many couldn't run a city block. However even if overall fitness is the goal, it's still looks great to have well-worked calves, men and women (and strong calves also have practical benefits of course.)

For anyone who doesn't have a basic foundation in strength and doesn't spend much time in the gym, taking time to "hit the calves" is a bit silly. When you're in the gym 5 to 7 days a week, two or three times a day, a person can afford to take the time to isolate their taint and it isn't a big deal.

 

[exdeath]

When you're in the gym 5 to 7 days a week, two or three times a day, a person can afford to take the time to isolate their taint and it isn't a big deal.

Thanks, now I have water all over my laptop.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

For anyone who doesn't have a basic foundation in strength and doesn't spend much time in the gym, taking time to "hit the calves" is a bit silly. When you're in the gym 5 to 7 days a week, two or three times a day, a person can afford to take the time to isolate their taint and it isn't a big deal.

Bahahahaha. I read this in the library earlier and I clearly violated the silence rule. I agree with you though, it's not the bes tuse of one's time.

 

[Miramonti]

For anyone who doesn't have a basic foundation in strength and doesn't spend much time in the gym, taking time to "hit the calves" is a bit silly. When you're in the gym 5 to 7 days a week, two or three times a day, a person can afford to take the time to isolate their taint and it isn't a big deal.

If they didn't have a foundation in strength (whatever that means...perhaps strength training?) and didn't spend much time in the gym, then it would be fair to assume they weren't into body building, which was the group of people that I referenced.

 

[surfsatwerk]

If they didn't have a foundation in strength (whatever that means...perhaps strength training?) and didn't spend much time in the gym, then it would be fair to assume they weren't into body building, which was the group of people that I referenced.

Having observed the population of "bodybuilders" at my current gym what I see are a population of manlets that will spend 15 minutes of time deadlifting 225lbs and as much time or more on the stupid calf thingy.

I think articles like the one in the OP do more harm than good because they take workouts out of context.

Arnold and his life-partner did not get huge doing this type of stuff. They go huge just like everyone does spending enormous amounts of time pressing, pulling, and squatting really heavy weights.

 

[Miramonti]

As long as you enjoy your soapbox, that's what counts.

I think articles like the one in the OP do more harm than good because they take workouts out of context.

LOL, how will readers recover from such damage!

p.s. I'll be sure to avoid posting articles on good wrist/forearm strengthening exercises, that would probably put you on disability.

 

[rga]

For anyone who doesn't have a basic foundation in strength and doesn't spend much time in the gym, taking time to "hit the calves" is a bit silly. When you're in the gym 5 to 7 days a week, two or three times a day, a person can afford to take the time to isolate their taint and it isn't a big deal.

I laughed out loud at this, and my wife asked me what I was laughing about. Then she asked me what a taint was, and I started laughing harder. When I explained the context of the joke, she started laughing too. Thanks for the laugh!

 

[surfsatwerk]

As long as you enjoy your soapbox, that's what counts.



LOL, how will readers recover from such damage!

p.s. I'll be sure to avoid posting articles on good wrist/forearm strengthening exercises, that would probably put you on disability.

Fine you think I'm over-reacting. I won't discuss my overall thesis on how the "fitness industry" is intentionally trying to keep people from getting fit and strong so they continue to buy gym memberships and supplements.

p.s. you get strong wrists from holding heavy things frequently.

p.p.s. You have to admit that picture of Arnold mounting the guy is lulz.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

I have good calves from running and basketball. Not sure how much squat has done? Seems the running and bball helps it more.

I don't spend a minute in a gym. I walk from the house to the workshop and have a rack, bench, and free weight. My lifting is probably 2 hours total time spent in a week.

 

[Miramonti]

Fine you think I'm over-reacting. I won't discuss my overall thesis on how the "fitness industry" is intentionally trying to keep people from getting fit and strong so they continue to buy gym memberships and supplements.

p.s. you get strong wrists from holding heavy things frequently.

p.p.s. You have to admit that picture of Arnold mounting the guy is lulz.

I understand where you're coming from now in this regard and I doubt I would have any disputes with your thesis (would love to read it at some point.) I think the last thing the fitness economy (muchless the overall economy) wants is everyone to be healthy. Your thesis is taking this even a step further to say keeping them from being healthy is intentional, which I find thought provoking.

And being psychologically healthy to the point of being very content with ourselves would be a disaster. These would involve forsaking too many products/purchases that make a lot of money for a lot of people/companies.

I don't necessarily agree with that recipe for developing strong wrists, but that's minor. I think it can be fairly easy to lift a lot of heavy weight(s) frequently without actually challenging wrist strength much, therefore not building up their strength. I brought up the example of wrists/forearms off-the-cuff, but actually I think wrist and grip strength has more real-world application than emphasizing calf development. Some might disagree tho.

And definitely lotsa lulz on the arnold pic. I see that and think of Jerry Sandusky in the Penn State gym, until I realize that's not a funny image.