Calf
Muslce - Calf Training
Pump Up Your Calf Muscles Today
It makes you wonder how they did it in the old days.
Fortunately, hundreds of years later,
we have been graced with the technological benefits
of devices like Nautilus machines, leg press machines,
and seated calf machines. And guess what? Calves are
still as stubborn as Barney Rubble on a grumpy day.
Here are a few calf building exercises
to try if you're interested in turning those elusive
phantom muscles into bulging, granite stones.
Calf Exercises
STANDING CALF RAISES
Place your feet on the platform so the balls are flush
on the edge. Be sure not to put too much or too little
of your feet on the platform. Slowly raise your heels,
rotating the balls of your feet along the platform,
until you are on the tips of your toes. Hold and squeeze
your calves for two seconds, feeling the contraction,
then slowly allow your heels to drop down slightly below
the edge of the platform. Repeat the process. Try two-three
hard sets of 15-20 reps at a tolerable weight.
SEATED CALF RAISES
This exercise is identical in range of motion to the
standing version. The main difference is that your knees
are bent in this exercise, emphasizing the soleus muscle
as opposed to the gastroc muscle (which is stressed
in the standing calf raises). Rotate the balls of your
feet on the platform, lifting the heels a high as you
can, squeezing the calves for a two-count during the
contraction. Slowly lower you heels and repeat the motion
for 15-20 repetitions through two-three vigorous sets.
LEG PRESS CALF RAISES
Place your feet on the platform, locking your knees,
so that only the balls and the toes are on the platform.
Your heels should be beneath the platform. Make sure
your feet are parallel to one another and not making
a V-shape on the platform. If need be, place your toes
just slightly
outward. However, keep your feet only a couple of inches
apart. Slowly rotate the balls of your feet, lifting
the weight with your toes until your calves are contracted.
Squeeze for a moment then slowly lower your heels before
repeating the movement. Finish off with two or three
sets
of 12-15 repetitions.
For an interesting high-intensity variation, try a Giant
Set using all three of the exercises listed below. Begin
by banging out as many strict form standing calf raises
as you can, move immediately to seated calf raises (you'll
need to have the weights set up and ready to go), and
complete the Giant Set by doing leg press calf raises
until you can't do no more. Take a break and repeat
the Giant Set one final time!
Most importantly, remember that the best remedy to a
troubling muscle group is variation and persistence.
If your legs seem like they drop straight from the back
of your knees down to your heels like a freight elevator
with no stops in between don't be discouraged. You're
not alone.
Learn how you can increase your average
strength by 70% in just 30 days with pete sisco's online
precision trainer. >>
Click here.
If you are serious about transforming
your body to its ultimate potential, get the Muscle
Building Nutrition by Will Brink with great
reviews from top pro athletes like Lee Labrada, Charles
Poliquin, and more.
Related Products:
>>
Click here for AJ DiCaprio's Legs & Glutes Workout
Video
>>
Click here for Trimspa Ephedra Free
>>
Click here for Isopure Meal replacement
|