The only case of evidence for calf training actually working is Arnold

[Humble Narcissist]

I may experiment with training only calves for a year, nothing else. Any suggestions on frequency?

You must be doing Sisco/Little Static Contraction Training.

[Dalnet]

That's it. You'd have to just wear those alone at home or people would think you were a retard.

Can confirm. Mom bought me what looked like hospital shoes as a kid

[unwieldy]

I have a theory about Marc Lobliner. I think his wigger persona is all an ellaborate cope for his terrible calves. Plausible

[_bruce_]

It's genetic but in my case I made an interesting finding that calves can grow on people without training who have back problems resulting in constant tense muscle tissue(this "growth protocol" can be "aided" by wrong movement patterns).
Obvious in retrospect but I never would have made the connection back then.

[unwieldy]

It doesn't help that calf training is intensely unsatisfying

[Van_Bilderass]

What I often ask myself (my calves suck too btw): Has anyone ever actually tried to really train his calves as hard and committed like other body parts, like chest or back? What would happen if you really would have a separate calves day with like 4 exercises à 4 sets to failure every week?

I had and still do have dedicated calf days. Posted a long-ass post on the training thread about it. Had some 2.5 hour calf sessions recently. Same with forearms and traps. 75 minutes on forearms at 1AM last night.

[IroNat]

I get a good pump in my calves with just one set to failure of for example standing calf raises.

Every set after that one seems to do nothing, maybe even dissipate the pump.

So, just one good set, done a few times a week might be enough.

Gironda said once you get a good pump in a muscle, stop.

[funk51]

It seemed funny how even when arnold lost weight, he kept his calves.

[IroNat]

It seemed funny how even when arnold lost weight, he kept his calves.

That early pic shows he had good calf potential.

[Griffith]

Recently I've been doing dumbbell calf raises on a flat surface for high reps, 200-300, feeling the calves burn and then pushing through that, and seems like I'm getting decent results. Will just keep increasing the reps.

[Van_Bilderass]

Recently I've been doing dumbbell calf raises on a flat surface for high reps, 200-300, feeling the calves burn and then pushing through that, and seems like I'm getting decent results. Will just keep increasing the reps.

The tape measure is a good tool

Watch out for 'false' gains that are due to temporary swelling and inflammation.

[funk51]

That early pic shows he had good calf potential.

[LurkerNoMore]

I have seen high school kids wearing home made ones with a block of 2x4 superglued to the bottom of the shoe.  The ones in the magazines back then were about $100.  I don't know if they are even sold anymore.

[LurkerNoMore]

Donkey calf raises are the best because it is easier to keep your knee locked and the legs straight.  On standing calf raises, everyone always seems to have a bit of bend in the knees. 

[affeman]

Donkey calf raises are the best because it is easier to keep your knee locked and the legs straight.  On standing calf raises, everyone always seems to have a bit of bend in the knees.

You're not supposed to have your knees fully "locked" on calf raises unless you're keen on f*ing up your knees.

[Donny]

respect to these women..

https://www.tiktok.com/@jimnowakowski/video/6903207139548990726

[Humble Narcissist]

respect to these women..

https://www.tiktok.com/@jimnowakowski/video/6903207139548990726

FEET!!!

[funk51]

I have seen high school kids wearing home made ones with a block of 2x4 superglued to the bottom of the shoe.  The ones in the magazines back then were about $100.  I don't know if they are even sold anymore.

   

   they didn't do George much good.

[On_Swole]

It seemed funny how even when arnold lost weight, he kept his calves.

Arnold’s calves in Twins (late ‘80s)

[Van_Bilderass]

Donkey calf raises are the best because it is easier to keep your knee locked and the legs straight.  On standing calf raises, everyone always seems to have a bit of bend in the knees.

I've been consistent doing donkey raises for maybe 8 months. Just yesterday I decided to do the standing and it had a different feel and got a little more sore. I also did seated, one leg at a time LOL. I try everything

[Donny]

I've been consistent doing donkey raises for maybe 8 months. Just yesterday I decided to do the standing and it had a different feel and got a little more sore. I also did seated, one leg at a time LOL. I try everything

If training at home i´ll do old school seated Barbell calf raises, work well. I wouldn´t buy a machine for calfs in a home gym & most have a power rack & can do standing Barbell calf raises too. 

[affeman]

I've been consistent doing donkey raises for maybe 8 months. Just yesterday I decided to do the standing and it had a different feel and got a little more sore. I also did seated, one leg at a time LOL. I try everything

As I said, imo you can move more weight and get a way better peak-contraction with regular standing calf raises. Donkey raises are just a stupid and overrated exercise constantly being glorified solely for nostalgic reasons ("Arnold did em in the 70s; remember the picture of Arnold with 3 girls on his back doing Donkeys;...." )

[Methyl m1ke]

Jay Refrigerator Cutler spoke about growing his calves after his sister mocked them.

Some fellow spoke about growing his calves by doing calf raises on a dictionary. I thought I read about him here on Getbig? But maybe it was Bodybuilding.com?

I have pretty good calves and only do one legged raises with bodyweight. Ive trained them heavy at the gym and they grow better just using my bodyweight.

[Van_Bilderass]

As I said, imo you can move more weight and get a way better peak-contraction with regular standing calf raises. Donkey raises are just a stupid and overrated exercise constantly being glorified solely for nostalgic reasons ("Arnold did em in the 70s; remember the picture of Arnold with 3 girls on his back doing Donkeys;...." )

I wouldn't say you get better anything with standing vs donkey. It's essentially the same exercise, the donkey has the advantage of not loading the spine the same way, which is a consideration in programming. As someone said it might be easier to keep legs straight on the donkeys biasing the gastrocs more. That said, I enjoyed the standing again the last few workouts but I don't expect it will really add any extra size. You do know there are donkey machines now? You tried them?

If training at home i´ll do old school seated Barbell calf raises, work well. I wouldn´t buy a machine for calfs in a home gym & most have a power rack & can do standing Barbell calf raises too.

Calf machines wouldn't be the first machines I would buy for a home gym either.

[obsidian]

Recently I've been doing dumbbell calf raises on a flat surface for high reps, 200-300, feeling the calves burn and then pushing through that, and seems like I'm getting decent results. Will just keep increasing the reps.

This works. I did that for a while with only bodyweight on a flat surface. But not as many reps. My calves were burning after 100-150 reps. It takes a lot of discipline to keep that up over a long period. It's also tough on your feet. I did it almost daily. Got my calves up to 19.5" pumped.

If my feet hold up I'll try this again one day.