Why Calves seem so unresponsive to growth and gains?

[MuscleInk]

Leg press?? Mine has a round calf raise position you can use at the bottom (hard to explain)

Not all I got just all I care to do Mr

So you are in a seated position. That generally works the soleus more. Standing targets the gastrocnemius better.

[AXx]

So you are in a seated position. That generally works the soleus more. Standing targets the gastrocnemius better.

Yes sir seated position.

I like the way you talk. Lol

Unless a google few probably know what that means.

[MuscleInk]

Yes sir seated position.

I like the way you talk. Lol

Unless a google few probably know what that means.

Here's a picture....no its not a naked Asian woman this time:

[baseline_9]

So you are in a seated position. That generally works the soleus more. Standing targets the gastrocnemius better.

Being seated on a leg press with not work the soleus more since the leg it still straight...

It's the bending of the leg that takes the tension off the gastrocnemius and transfers the load onto the soleus

[MuscleInk]

Being seated on a leg press with not work the soleus more since the leg it still straight...

It's the bending of the leg that takes the tension off the gastrocnemius and transfers the load onto the soleus

Correct. Ideally I'd recommend the seated and standing calf raises. I've used the seated incline press and straight press but personally I feel the greats contraction on standing raises (and seated for soleus). Just a preference.

Thanks b9.

[baseline_9]

Correct. Ideally I'd recommend the seated and standing calf raises. I've used the seated incline press and straight press but personally I feel the greats contraction on standing raises (and seated for soleus). Just a preference.

Thanks b9.

The reason you feel a greater contraction of both soleus and gastronemus when doing a standing raise over a calf press on a leg press machine is again due to tension on the calf....

Since the gastronemus crosses the knee joint, extension of that joint effects the 'feel' and even functionality of the calf muscles....


When doing a seated calf press on a leg press machine most people lock there knees out (usually because they are using too much weight) which tensions the gastronemus... With this tension on the gastronemus the soleus works a lot less...

Now in a standing calf raise most people do not lock there knees out with puts less tension on the gastronemus and enables the soleus to play more of a role....

Less tension on the gastronemus (via greater knee flexion) results in more soleus activation...


My top tip is to bend your legs while doing calf press on the leg press.... Not just slightly either, you can bend then a fair bit and use your hands on your thighs for support.... This will give you better soleus activation during the movement and actually a better peak contraction on the gastronemus I have found....


Ink'd, I'm not lecturing you lol.... Even if it seems that way.... Just sharing a bit of info related to your experience stated in the post in quoting for everyone...

[MuscleInk]

The reason you feel a greater contraction of both soleus and gastronemus when doing a standing raise over a calf press on a leg press machine is again due to tension on the calf....

Since the gastronemus crosses the knee joint, extension of that joint effects the 'feel' and even functionality of the calf muscles....

When doing a seated calf press on a leg press machine most people lock there knees out (usually because they are using too much weight) which tensions the gastronemus... With this tension on the gastronemus the soleus works a lot less...

Now in a standing calf raise most people do not lock there knees out with puts less tension on the gastronemus and enables the soleus to play more of a role....

Less tension on the gastronemus (via greater knee flexion) results in more soleus activation...

My top tip is to bend your legs while doing calf press on the leg press.... Not just slightly either, you can bend then a fair bit and use your hands on your thighs for support.... This will give you better soleus activation during the movement and actually a better peak contraction on the gastronemus I have found....

Ink'd, I'm not lecturing you lol.... Even if it seems that way.... Just sharing a bit of info related to your experience stated in the post in quoting for everyone...

Heck no bro! The feedback is welcome and appreciated. The more the better in fact. A big mistake in many lifts is poor form so any advice to improve that should be shared IMO.

I was always trained on the standing leg raises to lock the knees to keep the weight through the calves. This may limit the possible load if done correctly but with proper form activates the calves more effectively. Do you agree with this approach?

[baseline_9]

Heck no bro! The feedback is welcome and appreciated. The more the better in fact. A big mistake in many lifts is poor form so any advice to improve that should be shared IMO.

I was always trained on the standing leg raises to lock the knees to keep the weight through the calves. This may limit the possible load if done correctly but with proper form activates the calves more effectively. Do you agree with this approach?

As I said, locking the knees is going to take the soleus out of the movement...... Which is good if you are trying to focus on the gastronemus.... Most people will use the standing calf raise and the seated calf raise machine in an attempt to train both gastronemus and soleus.... Makes sense really...


One thing worth noting is that the soleus is by far the bigger muscle and if you want overall calf size you want to be focusing on trainin it to the max.....

Gastronemus will give you that beautifull diamond shape but without the bulk of the soleus behind it your calves will still be small....