tiny legs

[Suzanne Klavetter]

Does anyone have advice on how to strengthen my calves and make them look better in the process? I had more muscle in my legs before but have lost some of it. Thighs are OK, but the calves could use some work.

[NICK_SPERO]

check T-nation, they have a calve article they just posted on this topic.

[Alex Klotz]

Push a car, sprint up a hill.

[Scott Markowitz]

Give Chris a piggyback ride around the block from time to time. For faster development, carry him up stairs.

[Sean Tennant]

Remember what Arnold said...if you weigh 250 pounds, each leg is already used to carrying that inidvidually as you walk and run. So if you want to make progress with your calves you have to go far beyond twice your bodyweight in any calf raises, or calf isolation exercises.

[Scott Markowitz]

Somehow I doubt she weighs 250, but the principle holds. :D

[Mike Landrich]

Concentrate on putting your weight on the balls of your feet when you're just standing around. Doing simple calf raises like that will tighten up what muscle you have.

[Sean Tennant]

Somehow I doubt she weighs 250, but the principle holds. :D


Yeah...didn't mean to imply you weighed 250!!

[Suzanne Klavetter]

Haha...don't worry! I didn't take it that way.
These sound like some great suggestions.

[Corey DuCharme]

Work whatever variety of calf raise you prefer, but the key is to get a good, slow, negative stretch. So many times I see people doing bouncy little calf raises and it drives me crazy. I really doubt those are good for anything. I know from experience the only way to get bigger calves is to emphasize a deep negative stretch.

One style of calf raise I read about in Milo is the free standing variety. Start with a shallower block than usual, maybe 1.5 - 2 inches. Grab a barbell and hold it in front of you with the balls of your feet on the block. Slowly start to raise up on your toes until you have extended all the way up, then lower yourself down in a controlled fashion and repeat. You'll find them difficult at first and you may lose your balance a lot. Don't get frustrated, just keep working on them. As you progress you may use more weight and a taller block. They are great for overall lower leg development and increasing the strength and size of your calves.

I like to do 8-12 reps and 3-4 sets for calves. One exercise a workout is usually sufficient, if you do it right you will have sore calves for days.

[Matt Brouse]

I don't really want to be that guy...but you can't ignore the genetic role in this. I know guys that are ridiculously strong and have little girly legs. Especially the calves. You can certainly develop beyond set genetics but the fact usually still remains.

If you've had exceptional calves before however my guess would be you've got it made.

[Paul Neuhaus]

Give Chris a piggyback ride around the block from time to time. For faster development, carry him up stairs.
Have you ever seen Chris? This wouldn't be much of a workout! :D

[Matt Schumann]

back when i use to cut, i did alot of my cardio work on the esculating stair master, and each step i made was on my toes (if that makes any sence) ... Doing that made my calves and my overall musculature increase big time...

Just a thought

[Suzanne Klavetter]

Work whatever variety of calf raise you prefer, but the key is to get a good, slow, negative stretch. So many times I see people doing bouncy little calf raises and it drives me crazy. I really doubt those are good for anything. I know from experience the only way to get bigger calves is to emphasize a deep negative stretch.

One style of calf raise I read about in Milo is the free standing variety. Start with a shallower block than usual, maybe 1.5 - 2 inches. Grab a barbell and hold it in front of you with the balls of your feet on the block. Slowly start to raise up on your toes until you have extended all the way up, then lower yourself down in a controlled fashion and repeat. You'll find them difficult at first and you may lose your balance a lot. Don't get frustrated, just keep working on them. As you progress you may use more weight and a taller block. They are great for overall lower leg development and increasing the strength and size of your calves.

I like to do 8-12 reps and 3-4 sets for calves. One exercise a workout is usually sufficient, if you do it right you will have sore calves for days.

That's pretty much the height I've been doing, with no weight and 2 sets of 25.
I will give this a try on my next legs day...Thanks!

[chrisklavette]

Push a car, sprint up a hill.
Sprinting up hill is not a bad idea. The idea of you pushing a car is kind of funny to me. But, giving me a piggy back ride sounds like fun.

Paul, I think I am finally over 200lbs permanently. I could be heavier but I don't want a trucker build. I know you need to look that way for your job :M:

Suzanne, I think if you try Corey's idea you could try it while holding Natalie. Seriously, that is 20 some pounds of weight.