Author Topic: Calfs (Read 29877 times)

D-Rose Jr · « **on:** March 19, 2011, 10:24:42 am »

I hear that calfs are useless, but i was wondering what the benefits were to train them?

dirksilver · « **Reply #1 on:** March 19, 2011, 10:55:10 am »

you still need to have strong calves to drive up off the balls of your feet and into the air....plus you want stiff ankles and stuff

JoelJ · « **Reply #2 on:** March 20, 2011, 10:02:15 am »

The calves aren't exactly useless. Their contribution to the vertical jump is a lot less than most people believe, but it's still there. Their main role though is that of a stabilizer.

Unless you're lacking in calf development, there is little need to spend time training them, but there is also no harm in it as long as you don't dedicate a lot of time to it.

Sir Tossestrees · « **Reply #3 on:** March 20, 2011, 01:49:26 pm »

Calfs aren't useless. Like JoelJ said, they are a useful stabilizer, and on top of that, they aid in flexion at the knee. I do agree with JoelJ, no real need to train them unless they are lacking, but it doesn't hurt.

D-Rose Jr · « **Reply #4 on:** March 20, 2011, 01:51:58 pm »

what would you consider lacking?
I am pretty bouncey on my feet, but i can barely do some 1 legged calf raises without my calfs burning

Sir Tossestrees · « **Reply #5 on:** March 20, 2011, 02:35:21 pm »

Lacking may be different for different people. For a bodybuilder, if they're not 18 inches around, they may be lacking. For a powerlifter, if they burn worse than their legs do after a heavy squat workout, they may be lacking. For a sprinter if their feet are slapping the ground towards the end of the race, they may be lacking. Basically if they are what's holding you back, they may be lacking.

D-Rose Jr · « **Reply #6 on:** March 20, 2011, 04:18:03 pm »

what about for a basketball player

adarqui · « **Reply #7 on:** March 20, 2011, 07:01:11 pm »

for sprinting/jumping, the calfs (calfs + achilles) are FAR from useless.. unfortunately the s&c industry now likes to tell you that certain muscle groups are "not important", ie quads/calfs, but glutes/hamstrings are somehow all we should focus on.. it's b.s... the calfs are muscle, they respond like any other muscle, they need to be trained explosively (jumping/sprinting/rebounds) and through prolonged tension (weighted resistance etc).

i'd do 5 (or more) sets of calf raises to fatigue on days you really train them, using a weight heavy enough to fatigue them by 20-25 reps.. they respond better to higher rep training imo.

make them stronger and you will jump higher/run faster.

peace

LanceSTS · « **Reply #8 on:** March 20, 2011, 08:05:19 pm »

Quote from: adarqui on March 20, 2011, 07:01:11 pm

for sprinting/jumping, the calfs (calfs + achilles) are FAR from useless.. unfortunately the s&c industry now likes to tell you that certain muscle groups are "not important", ie quads/calfs, but glutes/hamstrings are somehow all we should focus on.. it's b.s... the calfs are muscle, they respond like any other muscle, they need to be trained explosively (jumping/sprinting/rebounds) and through prolonged tension (weighted resistance etc).

i'd do 5 (or more) sets of calf raises to fatigue on days you really train them, using a weight heavy enough to fatigue them by 20-25 reps.. they respond better to higher rep training imo.

make them stronger and you will jump higher/run faster.

peace

x2

John Stamos · « **Reply #9 on:** March 20, 2011, 09:16:54 pm »

diesel

but yeah I've noticed a big improvement with ankle stability and stiffness by doing calves on the leg press(400lbsx2x100...30 something reps feet straight, ankles in and ankles out)

D-Rose Jr · « **Reply #10 on:** March 20, 2011, 09:40:25 pm »

would doing some 1 legged calf raises between sets of squats, rack pulls, and dips suffice. I get a burn doing 2 legged ones without weights during my rest period

dirksilver · « **Reply #11 on:** March 21, 2011, 12:01:41 am »

Quote from: Petey0109 on March 20, 2011, 09:40:25 pm

would doing some 1 legged calf raises between sets of squats, rack pulls, and dips suffice. I get a burn doing 2 legged ones without weights during my rest period

i bet you could still add weight...just because it burns without weights doesn't mean you aren't strong enough to do them with weights

JoelJ · « **Reply #12 on:** March 21, 2011, 10:36:06 am »

I think the calves get enough work if you do any jump squats, box squats, or high intensity jumping.

If you want extra work, I'd lean more towards hill sprints and sled drags/pulls than calf raises.

Raptor · « **Reply #13 on:** March 21, 2011, 02:16:43 pm »

Quote from: JoelJ on March 21, 2011, 10:36:06 am

I think the calves get enough work if you do any jump squats, box squats, or high intensity jumping.

If you want extra work, I'd lean more towards hill sprints and sled drags/pulls than calf raises.

x2

To me, my left calf, especially the lateral head, is VASTLY developed vs my right calf, because of all the jumps off my left leg vs. none off my right leg.

bball2020 · « **Reply #14 on:** March 21, 2011, 11:35:42 pm »

i say why not train them? Unless your crazy and kill yourself maxing out on calf raises(never heard of that) its not going to take away from your other training(squats,jumps) and could be that missing link..

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Author Topic: Calfs (Read 29877 times)

D-Rose Jr

Calfs

dirksilver

Re: Calfs

JoelJ

Re: Calfs

Sir Tossestrees

Re: Calfs

D-Rose Jr

Re: Calfs

Sir Tossestrees

Re: Calfs

D-Rose Jr

Re: Calfs

adarqui

Re: Calfs

LanceSTS

Re: Calfs

John Stamos

Re: Calfs

D-Rose Jr

Re: Calfs

dirksilver

Re: Calfs

JoelJ

Re: Calfs

Raptor

Re: Calfs

bball2020

Re: Calfs