Hi Debbie, my calves need your help!

workoutaholic

workoutaholic

Cathlete
Hey there FitnessFreak, I am really needing some help with my calves. The problem is that I pretty much don't have any. I don't build muscle easily, but I would like them bigger to make my legs look more proportioned. I also have bigger ankles and am hoping bigger calves would make my knee-to-foot area of my legs look more shapely.

So, do you think the calf work in Cathe's workouts will help me get there? I have SS/PP, 4-day split, Pyramids, S&H, Gym Styles. I don't remember if all of those have calf work in them, but I think most do. Or do you think those workouts are more endurance? Is there some calf work that you would suggest? I can't go to a gym really (SAHM w/ a 1-year old and no nearby gyms w/child care).

Thank you so much for your help!
 
Hmmm, this one is a hard one for me to answer. I have calves that build with me just thinking of the exercise. LOL!

The best calf workouts Cathe has is in the Gym Style Legs workout and the 4DS workout - I believe it's with the shoulder workout, not the leg one. I would alternate these twice a week and see how your results go. In 4DS she uses 15# dumbbells (I think), if you can, go higher then that. I use 35's.

I read an article by Arnold Schwartzenager and he hits his calves three times a week with very heavy weights because that muscle is hard for him to build. He does a lot of donkey calf raises (but you need a machine for this) and barbell calf raises. If you can do barbell calf raises then try them. Just load up the bar with about 50# or higher and do 12-15 reps with toes forward, rest and turn your toes out, do 12-15 more, rest and turn your toes in and do 12-15 more. Maybe add this in during the week as well.

You'll have to see what works best for you but if you are a hard muscle gainer, then you need to go heavy with any execise you choose.
 
Thank you so much for the advice! I can't wait to try and let you know how things are going. I am so jealous of your calves! ha ha
 
one more idea (Hope you don't mind me chiming in.)

Ballet. I took years of it as a teen and it really built the calve area up. A ballet workout is not a cardio workout really but it definitely qualifies as toning.
 
Just popping in to say that calves are so genetic. The one bodypart, either ya have 'em or ya don't. Sure you can improve them, but they are the most difficult bodypart to shape and make bigger if you don't have them naturally. Look at Olympian Lee Haney or Lenda Murray? No calves...even Cathe doesn't have big calves...but then look at Jai's...know what I mean jellybeans?
 
Thanks everyone for the suggestions! About the ballet - I did dance for 12 years, including some ballet. Although, it wasn't serious ballet or anything (just like class once/week), and I'm sure that would make a difference if I had done more.

I definitely don't expect too much growth, and I don't really want them big. Just to actually have a little bit of widening in that area would be my dream come true! : )

thanks again!
 
Shapely calves!!!

Just wanted to let you know of my recent gain in the calf area without actually setting that as my goal. Due to lack of time I have been kicking it on my elliptical machine a lot, doing level 16 for 30 minutes or 400 calories whatever I reach first. I achieved 400 calories in 20 mins...my best time.
Anyway, recently I have been noticing that when I bend down the skin on my calves have been really tight. I thought hmmm...more moisturiser needed..!!?? Then the other day in the mirror I noticed that my calves had actually taken on a great shape (sadly lacked shape there before). They are now nearly touching mid calf....wow!!! Not sure if this will work for everyone but it worked for me.

Hope it helps :D
 
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