Calf Raises

[Peter_Puget]

Courtenay –

 

I have been doing standing calf raises with a tad bit over 400lbs. I think that this much weight is resulting in shoulder pain. Have you heard of this happening? Do you have any suggestions for calf exercises that do not require a bunch of weight on the shoulders. Seated calf raises do not seem like a good exchange. Would you suggest just dropping weight and going for more reps? I am currently do four sets of fifteen and holding 30” at the end of each set.

 

Wondering,

 

PP

[Courtenay]

You're right, Peter, seated calf raises actually work a different part of the calf (the soleus) than straight-leg calf raises (which primarily work the gastrocnemius). To save your shoulders and work the same part of the calf, try something like leg press calf raises -- your legs are still straight, as in the standing calf raises, but the weight no longer is on the shoulders as in a standing leg press where you have to have a yoke or (as in the Nautilus machine) harness on your shoulders. Another option is to try 1-leg calf raises (with less weight) to challenge balance at the same time as strength. Good luck.

 

Courtenay

[nolanr]

Best calf work out ever: lots of frontpointing on crampons. My calves got bigger from doing lots of hiking and biking than they ever did grunting away in the weight room.

[RedMonk]

i find that if you have a sled for leg press at your gym....extend your legs and then do your calve raises while on the sled and the pressure is evenly distributed along your body....this works for me....

[Peter_Puget]

Tried that this evening. It's a bit different but seems to do the job.

[Crackhead]

Long traverses on a snowboard will make your calves like Popeye's!