Author Topic: Calves...........do you still train them? (Read 6363 times)

webcake · « **on:** October 03, 2009, 07:38:30 PM »

So it seems that the general consensus on the boards is that calves are all genetic and you either have em or you don't.

So for all you people with weak calves........have you conceded defeat in the war against calves, or do you still put in the effort and train them no matter what?

clued-up · « **Reply #1 on:** October 03, 2009, 07:47:35 PM »

I train my calves. Sometimes I walk around my house on my tip toes.. and once and a while I do calve raises in the shower.

webcake · « **Reply #2 on:** October 03, 2009, 07:57:07 PM »

Quote from: james001 on October 03, 2009, 07:47:35 PM

I train my calves. Sometimes I walk around my house on my tip toes.. and once and a while I do calve raises in the shower.

Better than nothing!

benchmstr · « **Reply #3 on:** October 03, 2009, 07:57:56 PM »

i dont

bench

webcake · « **Reply #4 on:** October 03, 2009, 07:58:47 PM »

Quote from: benchmstr on October 03, 2009, 07:57:56 PM

i dont

bench

So you have given up it seems.....that's a shame.

benchmstr · « **Reply #5 on:** October 03, 2009, 08:03:50 PM »

Quote from: webcke on October 03, 2009, 07:58:47 PM

So you have given up it seems.....that's a shame.

no i am happy with what i have... my mom and dad both have big calves with low insertion points, so does my sister and i.

my dad went to the gym with me one time, and the next day my friends were asking me what he did for calves......that was his first time in the gym.

my calves have always been a strong point for me, and grow by doing leg presses, and leg curls.

bench

webcake · « **Reply #6 on:** October 03, 2009, 08:14:25 PM »

Quote from: benchmstr on October 03, 2009, 08:03:50 PM

no i am happy with what i have... my mom and dad both have big calves with low insertion points, so does my sister and i.

my dad went to the gym with me one time, and the next day my friends were asking me what he did for calves......that was his first time in the gym.

my calves have always been a strong point for me, and grow by doing leg presses, and leg curls.

bench

Fair enough. I guess everyone is different. I too have ok calves, but i love training calves and them being good is probably my biggest motivator. I don't really think i would get to a point where i think they are good enough and just stop training them.....

RJ DRIVER · « **Reply #7 on:** October 03, 2009, 08:18:32 PM »

giving up is as gay as fucking a guy in ass!!! I have zero genetics when it comes to calves but giving up is not an option.... I can always dream damnit.

webcake · « **Reply #8 on:** October 03, 2009, 08:28:21 PM »

Quote from: RJ DRIVER on October 03, 2009, 08:18:32 PM

giving up is as gay as fucking a guy in ass!!! I have zero genetics when it comes to calves but giving up is not an option.... I can always dream damnit.

That's what i'm talking about!

Good for you.

benchmstr · « **Reply #9 on:** October 03, 2009, 08:30:44 PM »

Quote from: webcke on October 03, 2009, 08:14:25 PM

Fair enough. I guess everyone is different. I too have ok calves, but i love training calves and them being good is probably my biggest motivator. I don't really think i would get to a point where i think they are good enough and just stop training them.....

the main reason i stopped doing calves wasn't because the were "big enough", it was because when i did leg curls the calves were doing all the work and my hamstrings were lagging because of it.

when i stopped doing calves they stayed the same size, but allowed me to train my hamstrings more effectively. so you could say that i strategically made my calves weaker

bench

RJ DRIVER · « **Reply #10 on:** October 03, 2009, 08:33:26 PM »

Quote from: benchmstr on October 03, 2009, 08:30:44 PM

the main reason i stopped doing calves wasn't because the were "big enough", it was because when i did leg curls the calves were doing all the work and my hamstrings were lagging because of it.

when i stopped doing calves they stayed the same size, but allowed me to train my hamstrings more effectively. so you could say that i strategically made my calves weaker

bench

I can see that but damnit I dream of big calves.

benchmstr · « **Reply #11 on:** October 03, 2009, 08:35:01 PM »

Quote from: RJ DRIVER on October 03, 2009, 08:33:26 PM

I can see that but damnit I dream of big calves.

dont stress on it................that cant be healthy.

bench

brooklynbruiser · « **Reply #12 on:** October 03, 2009, 08:36:08 PM »

Quote from: RJ DRIVER on October 03, 2009, 08:18:32 PM

giving up is as gay as fucking a guy in ass!!! I have zero genetics when it comes to calves but giving up is not an option.... I can always dream damnit.

I admire your grit, young man! Still, if it ain't coming, it ain't coming!

Carry on!

pellius · « **Reply #13 on:** October 03, 2009, 08:42:38 PM »

Quote from: webcke on October 03, 2009, 07:38:30 PM

So it seems that the general consensus on the boards is that calves are all genetic and you either have em or you don't.

So for all you people with weak calves........have you conceded defeat in the war against calves, or do you still put in the effort and train them no matter what?

You can put on some size on your calves. But it's very hard. I think it's because the muscle is used so much that it has a certain toughness that other muscles don't have. But once you put on some size it seems like you don't lose it. Or at least not as much as other muscles. Look at Arnold. He still has decent calves and I doubt he trains them much.

Wiggs · « **Reply #14 on:** October 03, 2009, 08:43:39 PM »

That is total bullshit on the you have them or you don't.

When I train, I train them 3 - 4 times a week four different exercises.

Very decent especially for a brother...

RJ DRIVER · « **Reply #15 on:** October 03, 2009, 08:45:23 PM »

Quote from: pellius on October 03, 2009, 08:42:38 PM

You can put on some size on your calves. But it's very hard. I think it's because the muscle is used so much that it has a certain toughness that other muscles don't have. But once you put on some size it seems like you don't lose it. Or at least not as much as other muscles. Look at Arnold. He still has decent calves and I doubt he trains them much.

Yes but there is still a lot of specualtion with implants regarding arnold.

Mr.1derful · « **Reply #16 on:** October 03, 2009, 08:45:57 PM »

I had great calves, then I snapped my achilles in my right leg. Not sure what they did, but my right calf has never been the same since they cut me.

webcake · « **Reply #17 on:** October 03, 2009, 08:47:31 PM »

Quote from: pellius on October 03, 2009, 08:42:38 PM

You can put on some size on your calves. But it's very hard. I think it's because the muscle is used so much that it has a certain toughness that other muscles don't have. But once you put on some size it seems like you don't lose it. Or at least not as much as other muscles. Look at Arnold. He still has decent calves and I doubt he trains them much.

Agreed.

There's no doubting it is harder, but it can be done. Sure, making gains like Arnold did is probably not going to happen, but surely most people would be willing to put the effort in a for a gain, no matter how big or small it may be. Good point also about keeping the gains. Seems like the calves always remain.

webcake · « **Reply #18 on:** October 03, 2009, 08:49:31 PM »

Quote from: Wiggs on October 03, 2009, 08:43:39 PM

That is total bullshit on the you have them or you don't.

When I train, I train them 3 - 4 times a week four different exercises.

Very decent especially for a brother...

This is the point i was kinda getting at. The general idea is that calves are all genetic.....but is there any real proof to back up that statement?

Good on you for training calves. Says a lot about how a man takes his training if he seriously trains calves.

RJ DRIVER · « **Reply #19 on:** October 03, 2009, 08:50:14 PM »

Quote from: webcke on October 03, 2009, 08:47:31 PM

Agreed.

There's no doubting it is harder, but it can be done. Sure, making gains like Arnold did is probably not going to happen, but surely most people would be willing to put the effort in a for a gain, no matter how big or small it may be. Good point also about keeping the gains. Seems like the calves always remain.

Its been a while since we have seen any update pics from you... Have you made any good gains lately?

KevinP85 · « **Reply #20 on:** October 03, 2009, 08:51:59 PM »

Quote from: Wiggs on October 03, 2009, 08:43:39 PM

That is total bullshit on the you have them or you don't.When I train, I train them 3 - 4 times a week four different exercises.

Very decent especially for a brother...

That's some what true though, look at Dexter and Johnnie Jackson. I do, however, agree that if you have weak calves you can bring them up to a point, but it is purely genetics like Cutler, Flex Lewis, Paul Dillet, etc..

That being said, calves have always been a strong point for me. I train them hard, 3 times a week. Quads, on the other hand, I am working on bringing up to match my upper body.

RJ DRIVER · « **Reply #21 on:** October 03, 2009, 08:52:20 PM »

FOREARMS...I feel calves are the same as forearms, they are very hard to make grow but I work them more often then other muscles and bust them until they are forced to grow

webcake · « **Reply #22 on:** October 03, 2009, 08:53:53 PM »

Quote from: RJ DRIVER on October 03, 2009, 08:50:14 PM

Its been a while since we have seen any update pics from you... Have you made any good gains lately?

Probably not. I have started taking a different approach to training/nutrition and it seems to be better. Pretty much eat whatever i want, hardly even keep check of how much protein i take in, just controlled portions. Leaner that i have been for a while with no cardio. Also training much heavier and doing some more power movements. Nice change.

RJ DRIVER · « **Reply #23 on:** October 03, 2009, 08:57:15 PM »

Quote from: webcke on October 03, 2009, 08:53:53 PM

Probably not. I have started taking a different approach to training/nutrition and it seems to be better. Pretty much eat whatever i want, hardly even keep check of how much protein i take in, just controlled portions. Leaner that i have been for a while with no cardio. Also training much heavier and doing some more power movements. Nice change.

Well keep us updated, I've been focusing more on power movements lately too instead of reps. I went from an average fo 15 reps down to 8 in the last few weeks and have had some significant stregth gains.

benchmstr · « **Reply #24 on:** October 03, 2009, 08:59:04 PM »

Quote from: webcke on October 03, 2009, 08:53:53 PM

Probably not. I have started taking a different approach to training/nutrition and it seems to be better. Pretty much eat whatever i want, hardly even keep check of how much protein i take in, just controlled portions. Leaner that i have been for a while with no cardio. Also training much heavier and doing some more power movements. Nice change.

there you go....stopped all the bullshit, and started having fun with it. you sir are now enlightened on the "secret"

bench