Thread: Calves Wont Grow

You may not want to hear this, but it could be genitics. You may want to check your form. 4 45lb plates on the seated with the correct form, you should have some decent calves..

Some people just have a tough time growing their calves, you may want to try higher reps, in the range of 14-16.

Could you post a pic or a link demonstrating the correct form for seated?

I sit down, place the pads approximately 2-3 inches above the bend of the knee and lift. Slow negatives taking the heal below the foot pad then accelerating through the lift, pinching the calf at the top of the contraction then repeating.

Originally Posted by FishOrCutBait

Some people just have a tough time growing their calves, you may want to try higher reps, in the range of 14-16.

Perhaps you are right, Ive always done heavy weight, low reps for gains on other bodyparts, I only figured the calf would be the same.

http://www.exrx.net/Lists/ExList/CalfWt.html

has everything you'll need as far as form go's

Originally Posted by PTYP

Ok all, I need some help here, my calves are very disproportionate to the rest of my body. Im 6'0 weigh 198lbs w/ about 10% bf. I took some measurements, and my arms are 16", chest is 48", waist is 33", upper leg is 26", but my calves are only 15". I work them hard just as I do the rest of my body and am relatively strong there (4 plates on seated, and 405 standing raises in the squat rack) but my god they will not grow. Any suggestions? ideas?

Thank you in advance.

how well do you stretch out your calves on a daily or weekly basis ?

Originally Posted by LAM

how well do you stretch out your calves on a daily or weekly basis ?

I stretch the calves on the day/days I work them. I cycle 1 w/o per week heavy and 2 w/o per week moderate to light. So I guess to answer your question would be weekly.

Originally Posted by PTYP

Perhaps you are right, Ive always done heavy weight, low reps for gains on other bodyparts, I only figured the calf would be the same.

to be honest, most all rep ranges work for my calves, but 14-16 makes em EXPLODE, I actually got my first [muscle] stretch mark on my right calf!

Calves do seem to be a real B*****d to grow. I know loads of people that have had problems.

The way that I finally got rid of my pipe cleaner thin calves was to work hard on my calves and more importantly vary the exercises that I used regularly. I particularly favour the dumbell calve raise

mmuscle

http://www.makemuscle.net

So basicly, what you all are saying, is that calves are a serious pain in the ass, and you have to try many different (and sometimes out of the norm) ways until you find something that works.

Gotchya


Nothing is easy anymore, lol

Thanks again for the responses.

I just make sure to do them slow and use the fullest range of motion possible. Hold it at the top (when you're at tippie toes) for 2 seconds, and stretch them at the bottom too. I try to do both standing calf raises (on either a smith or a standing calf machine if your gym has one) and seated calf raises.

I believe once the calves hit around one year old they give them Tren pellets to get them bigger. Give it a try.

Originally Posted by PTYP

Could you post a pic or a link demonstrating the correct form for seated?

I sit down, place the pads approximately 2-3 inches above the bend of the knee and lift. Slow negatives taking the heal below the foot pad then accelerating through the lift, pinching the calf at the top of the contraction then repeating.

Standing calve raise is where you get most of your gastrocnemius size from, I don't even bother with seated. Train your calves 2x a week hard, hold at the top of the movement for 2 or 3 seconds. Reps ? who cares 8-12 whatever you want as long as you do slow reps and hold at the top of the movement.
From your measurements it sounds like you should put 2 inches on your calves and one inch+ on your upper arms to be in good proportion.

I think each person is different.

I could not get my calves to grow until I started working them 3 to 4 times a week.

2 times during the week with serious heavy weight on all types of torture equipment, and then 1 or 2 times during the week with medium weight and high reps. The Gym I go to has a whole boat load of different calve equipment so I never do the same thing twice in a row and always mix it up.

One of my favorites that you can go real heavy on is done in the seated leg
press machine. Stack that sucker and then instead of doing leg presses, get the weight up and maneuver it so you can do the presses with your calves. Keep the safety catches on just in case. I've been able to do 8 45lb plates on each side (720) for 10 nice full and slow reps after pyramiding up to it 2 plates at a time. Talk about sore calves the next day!

Now, I have trouble keeping my Biceps equal to my calves which are pushing 18". I think it looks really neat when the veins stick out on them and I've got pretty pronounced Soleus muscles so it looks pretty good when their pumped up.

To bad I can't get my F$&$ing abs to show!!

listen to foreman. not only does he have the funniest posts ive ever read, hes knows his shit. the only way to get your calves bigger is to train the hell out of them. this may seem a bit off, but i run a mile on my tippie toes every other day, and my calves got huge from that. plus its just good cardio.

high reps works best 4 me!

You may want to try some plyometrics and/or endurance type workouts. The calf muscle is especially high in red fiber, which responds well to endurance rep ranges.