I think I might feel like training calves again

[Grizzly]

I've started skipping rope in the mornings for my cardio these days. This morning, after I finished, I thought to myself, well, jeez, if I get here 10 minutes earlier I can do some calf work after this.

I've been using the rope as my sole method of calf training and, quite frankly, I really can't complain about the results, but I think it would be dramatically improved if I added some actual weighted exercises(of course, jumping on one foot when you're a fat fucker like me is pretty damn hard on the calves).

Anyhow, what do we think the best method of doing this would be? Figure on 4-6 days a week of this. I'd pretty much just run a 5X5 on standing calves(I don't even think my gym has a seated on, come to think of it) but maybe that can be improved upon. Hogg, I know you have a suggestion for me, eh?

 

[monsoon]

Incline toe walking on the treadmill, One leg calf raises on block with a DB, Leg press calf raises, hopping up stairs... the list goes on.

 

[Grizzly]

Well, I was thinking more in terms of volume/intensity. Plus, we have no block, no leg press(exceptin' a pin adjusted machine) and no stairs. LOL what a gym!

I figure that I can't very well add weight each of the 4-6 days because that would lead to eventual overtraining, I'd suppose. Maybe 5X5, 3X8, 5X5(same weight), 3X8(same weight) or something like that?

Where's my man Hogg? First he's holding out on the videos and now he's holding out on the advice. Sheesh!

 

[Joker]

Well, I was thinking more in terms of volume/intensity. Plus, we have no block, no leg press(exceptin' a pin adjusted machine) and no stairs. LOL what a gym!

I figure that I can't very well add weight each of the 4-6 days because that would lead to eventual overtraining, I'd suppose. Maybe 5X5, 3X8, 5X5(same weight), 3X8(same weight) or something like that?

Where's my man Hogg? First he's holding out on the videos and now he's holding out on the advice. Sheesh!

Want the secret to making even the most stubborn calves grow? Use 2 legs on the concentric, 1 leg on the eccentric. There's some very good research on this topic. Yep, you'll look gay doing em. But I don't think too many people will think your 21 inch calves will look very gay.

Joker

 

[FearMy6Pak]

Do your jump ropes with an olypic bar on your back and a couple of plates on each side

Bump for some more responses (where you at hogg?)

 

[Primo Max]

Concentric is lifting the weight, eccentric is the lowering phase.

 

[Chip Bronson]

grizz, walking on an incline will do the job nicely in conjunction with rope skipping. it's worked wonders for my calves, over the past year or two, which were just not responding to heavy weight and low reps. i walk 4-5/week on an incline that varies b/w 3% and 10% at a speed of about 3.5 mph for 20-25 minutes.

in addition i do 4-5 sets of 40-50 reps each while holding a 30 or 40lb dumbbell. talk about a killer pump and it annihilates your calves nicely. i know a lot of guys will argue that it doesn't work BUT we are all different. give it a try and you may be pleasantly surprised. you may want to use the high reps for a few weeks then switch to a few weeks of low reps (if they work for you) and vice versa. you'll get the best of both worlds this way and prevent your calves from adapting to one particular training method.

 

[Grizzly]

I know fearmy was joking, but that's not a bad idea. One of those 50lb weight vests would probably do some good. Also, after skipping with that on, I'd be quick as hell without it. Hmmmmmm.

 

[Chip Bronson]

i don't know about the skipping bro. that shit could make you gay if you're not careful...

 

[Grizzly]

Looky here, "macho" man. LOL

 

[Chip Bronson]

lol....

 

[FearMy6Pak]

I'd say try the weight vest (polymetrics baby)! Actaully I say give it a whirl with the barbell first....

 

[dolfe1]

I'd say try the weight vest (polymetrics baby)! Actaully I say give it a whirl with the barbell first....

I'll sell you my strength shoes from 7th grade.

 

[Grizzly]

Do I look like a sucker for gimmicks, dolfe?

 

[Juggernauttx]

Well, I was thinking more in terms of volume/intensity. Plus, we have no block, no leg press(exceptin' a pin adjusted machine) and no stairs. LOL what a gym!

I figure that I can't very well add weight each of the 4-6 days because that would lead to eventual overtraining, I'd suppose. Maybe 5X5, 3X8, 5X5(same weight), 3X8(same weight) or something like that?

Where's my man Hogg? First he's holding out on the videos and now he's holding out on the advice. Sheesh!

Calves are very dense muscles, and they respond good to higher density training such as drop sets. As for a block you can get those 100 lb plates do them raises on them, or go to the local lumber place, and buy some wood, and get it cutt there and make your own calf block.

I think a good thing for you to do grizzly, is train the calves with weights with drop sets, and then right after, do the jump ropes. Talk about killer pain!!!