Training Calves

[donjoy]

I am sure that I am joined by many board members in lamenting about the serious pain in the ass it can be bringing calves up to par. I am currently working out on a M-W-F split, and up until a couple weeks ago I would hit calves on two, or more often three of those days.

Fast forward to now and I am still lifting on the M-W-F split, but the program I am following has me rotating two different workouts between the three days out of the week spent in the gym. As such, I hit calves either on M-F or just on W depending on what part of the rotation I am at when the week begins. I should also add that the new program I am using has me do three different calf exercises (never on the same day), until I have three calf days and then repeat with exercise 1,2,3 as calf days continue to roll around. I am doing 3-4 warm up sets (non-taxing) and then one set for maximum poundage until failure followed by extreme streching. (I think this might be dc training, but I am honestly not sure).

I suppose the theory in my new method is to prevent overtraining and allowing me to train calves heavy rather than simply getting a pump every day. I am curious if anyone can chime in on results who have tried training calves with frequency and also in the reduced frequency/high poundage (which I likely didnt explain well) manner.

P.S. I got a nice scholarship from Seton Hall School of Law today and I am really pumped about it so I wanted to share my excitement with the board.

 

[Force245]

DC calves has been the best calf developer I.ve used. Really brought them, or at least one of them, from looking like a string hanging out of my shorts.

 

[Fa Seeshus]

I do my cardio warmup by walking on an incline on the treadmill, rolling through the foot. this gives them enough stimulus and pump where i can get away with training them less frequently.

 

[Ashop]

DC calves has been the best calf developer I.ve used. Really brought them, or at least one of them, from looking like a string hanging out of my shorts.

what is this method?

 

[Swiper]

stretching the hell out of them will help. also lots of rest. once a week they should be trained. you have to remember that you are always using your calves every time you walk. the 2 most important things to do is stretch and let them rest so they can grow. IMO

 

[donjoy]

stretching the hell out of them will help. also lots of rest. once a week they should be trained. you have to remember that you are always using your calves every time you walk. the 2 most important things to do is stretch and let them rest so they can grow. IMO

I agree about the streching for sure. That has helped a great deal in a short amount of time and I kick myself for not paying attention to the importance of hardcore streching years ago.

 

[Force245]

what is this method?

each rep is very slow and controlled. Flex hard, fast but controlled, negative for 6-8 seconds and hold stretch for 10-15 seconds, then flex again, 1 rep. 1 set of 8-12 feels so painful, but worth it.

 

[gordo14]

Dc.......

Dc calve training is alot harder than most anticipate. I also have seen great results once incorporated into my routine.

 

[massnup]

what is this method?

Down 5 seconds, hold for 15 in the stretched position then back up explosively.

 

[Force245]

I got a ironman watch with a repeating timers set at 20 seconds for each rep. Very useful, cause after rep five I usually can't concetrate except for the pain, as in most DC workouts. Gotta love those ears ringing and stary eyes,,,,

 

[gordo14]

I got a ironman watch with a repeating timers set at 20 seconds for each rep. Very useful, cause after rep five I usually can't concetrate except for the pain, as in most DC workouts. Gotta love those ears ringing and stary eyes,,,,

I just love the others watching in horror as i collapse onto the floor because i can't walk. They think i fainted! LMAO!