cycle riding for building calves

[MANWHORE]

OK now there is no way that all these gay.. BY gay I mean happy.. cyclists have calve genetics so what does everyone think about me getting on the bike at the gym and putting resistance on the pedals for about 15-20min/day?

I want them a little bigger but popping out all the muscles is what I want most ..
I've done a pretty good job with just bodyweight raises as far as definition and bringing muscles I never knew I had out but I think they need more volume

 

[Blacken]

Only problem I see is the volume fucking up your upper legs. Many cyclist have great calves but shit legs ironically. Ballerinas also have great calves I think it has more to do with the peak contraction being on the tip of the toes all the time. Figure skaters have great legs and calves, probably from the constant firing of the muscle in quick burst but needing control.

For awhile I would at home walking on the tips of my toes all over the house that did make them grow in a week, then sadly I gave up once company came over as I wasn't about to walk around like a ballerina with people watching lol. I never did it again after that. I should try it again

 

[MANWHORE]

Yea I used the ballerinas technique for the definition I have and Arnold walked around on his calves also ..
I hear he walked on heels too but not sure how true that is ..
BBers in general do crazy shit so I believe it

 

[MANWHORE]

I think the quick movements would be best cause I want tissue growth and not just cytoplasm growth ..
But I do also want more glycogen stores for faster growth ..
I'll have to try something for few weeks ..

My upper legs are skinny too BTW so can't take anything from my upper leg lol

 

[weighted chinup]

Cyclists are able to develop their quads, calves, etc from riding alone because although the resistance is very low eventually as they become more fatigued from the movement they end up recruiting more and more motor units. The longer you do the movement the more motor units get called into action. This is how they are able to get decent hypertrophy with such little resistance / percentage of 1rm.

20 minutes on a cycle at the gym probably isn't going to do this though. It is also inefficient. Hypertrophy is possible with very small percentages of 1RM but it just isn't time effective to train this way. You could get an equal or greater adaptive response or similar hypertrophy by spending less time if you were to use a moderate RM for example.

Calves seem to respond to a 15-25RM though when it comes to hypertrophy I believe. I had some links backing this up a while back but can't find them atm. This is probably more efficient than cycling and will probably give equal or even better results.

Most people worry about calves too much though and obsess over their calve growth / lack of calve growth. I don't even train them anymore, I'd rather spend that time training front squat for example or something that actually matters.

 

[MANWHORE]

Right now I do sitdown calf raises ..
Some days fast reps under control with decent weight ..
I come down slower and push faster trying to mimic a Sprint ..

I used to go heavy then not until I was about 40yrs old did I just start seeing cuts with little muscles I never saw before and this was from slow bodyweight reps on end of a step .. up high down below the step with huge stretch then up to peak with solid burning squeeze and slow back down ..
Charlie horses EVERY single time for long time after until I discovered pickle juice

I just didn't get size from this but maybe I need more protein ..
My diet sucks ..

WP how much protein should I be getting at 190lbs maybe 13% BF now ?

 

[Masters Power]

Cyclists are able to develop their quads, calves, etc from riding alone because although the resistance is very low eventually as they become more fatigued from the movement they end up recruiting more and more motor units. The longer you do the movement the more motor units get called into action. This is how they are able to get decent hypertrophy with such little resistance / percentage of 1rm.

20 minutes on a cycle at the gym probably isn't going to do this though. It is also inefficient. Hypertrophy is possible with very small percentages of 1RM but it just isn't time effective to train this way. You could get an equal or greater adaptive response or similar hypertrophy by spending less time if you were to use a moderate RM for example.

Calves seem to respond to a 15-25RM though when it comes to hypertrophy I believe. I had some links backing this up a while back but can't find them atm. This is probably more efficient than cycling and will probably give equal or even better results.

Most people worry about calves too much though and obsess over their calve growth / lack of calve growth. I don't even train them anymore, I'd rather spend that time training front squat for example or something that actually matters.

I would rather waste time complementing Mw on creating a mildly amusing thread than do calf work.

 

[MANWHORE]

I love my gym BTW

 

[theprodgicalson]

Whoever said cyclists have shit legs has no clue what they're talking about. If you're talking about guys who do races like the TDF, then I agree, because they need to be light in weight. But guys that race in the velodromes, look at the picture above.

Also ask @Millard Baker to post a picture of his legs. He rides often.

As far as working your calves, I don't think it will be beneficial. Like WCU said, stay above the 15rep range. And work them often as well like EOD or at least 3x a week.

 

[Ngtmarpete]

Have you tried jumping rope? When done correctly the burn is Intense. Also, mountain biking. I have been on a bike for over 25 years, both road and mountain, and it's almost like comparing sprinting to long distance running. If you have the means give it a try.

 

[Izk]

High volume is the key there, just do sets of 100 for calve raises, seated or standing. 2-3 sets each day

 

[Manny]

Nice thread. My wife was a gymnastics and she kickboxes now plus prance around when I'm chasing her around the house trying to put my weenis into her.
She has the yummies calves I have ever seen....
Here's a pic of her cold. I just asked her to let me take a pic as she does her womework.....


Here you go fellas.