Calves anyone?

[lyz2814]

Since I see a lot of body-part threads in here, I think this goes too.

Anyways--I notice that a lot of cyclists have great calves! I have virtually no calves, and I'd like to develop them more (I'm trying to get rid of that piano leg thing, you know?). Are there any particular riding styles that hit that muscle especially? Like hills, big gears, etc?

I just started jumping rope, and that definitely creates a burn in the right place.

[LBTC]

Hi, Liz! While I've seen many cyclists with great calves, I think they all achieved them some other way (especially since I've seen many strong cyclists with spindly little calves, too)

jump rope will help. calf raises, standing repeated until you can't stand them any more....on each side, then together. I have a trick that makes this bearable in kickboxing class when we do it, and it helps develop a better defined musculature....do the first portion (say 10 reps) with your weight on the outside of your foot, the next portion with your weight on the inside of your foot, the last portion with your weight right in the middle. Make sure when you stretch to twist your upper body too to help stretch those bits, too.

If you do weights, do your calf exercises everytime, to exhaustion. and do different exercises.

I was blessed with rather "muscular" calves (that was a joke when I was 25 lbs heavier, but true now!), but I still push them hard because I want them to be defined and amazing, like my DH's.!!

good luck and have fun!!

Namaste,
~T~

[sarahfixit]

If you pull on your pedals instead of pushing it will work the calves more. When you pedal through the stroke, work your ankles as much as you can instead of your knees.

[LBTC]

hey, Sarah - cool tip! I do that already, never really thought that it works the calves more, but, logically, it must!

thanks!

Namaste,
~T~

[lyz2814]

great ideas! I'll be trying some of them today

[RoadRaven]

Lyz... I have something for you to think about... a question if you will...

If your legs are doing a great job at the moment, and taking you the way you want them to on a bike, why do you want to change the muscles to do something else?

Shouldn't our bodies be about being fit? And doesn't "fit" come in all shapes and sizes?

Forgive me if I offend anyone... (points at low post count and recent joining date) but I really do believe women should be guided by how well their bodies work, not by how they look.

[Dogmama]

If you pull on your pedals instead of pushing it will work the calves more. When you pedal through the stroke, work your ankles as much as you can instead of your knees.

If that is true, why don't gyms have calf pull machines instead of pushing machines? I have to disagree. Pulling up works your ankles if you keep a flat foot, but I don't see how pulling is superior to pushing in calf development.

[RoadRaven]

Ummmm... anyone looked at the body of a rockclimber? Hear are people at the peak of overall muscle fitness, demanding their fingers or wrists or toes hold their entire body in place...

Their bodies are not hugely muscled, more subtely defined

Our bodies are made to be the way they are... and I ask again, if it works well, why mess with it?

[Technotart]

Dogmama - try pulling the pedals for a bit and see where you feel the pain - in your calves and the backs of your upper legs.

Since I finally got the hang of spinning, my calves ahve become MUCH more defined! They dont look like marshmallow calves anymore.

When you stand on the edge of a box and dip up and down on your feet with the weights on your shoulders, (gyms do have those) you are doing essentially the same thing and working the same muscles in the lower leg. This misses the upper leg however, for that you have to use another machine

[swlsue]

Our bodies are made to be the way they are... and I ask again, if it works well, why mess with it?

I respectfully disagree with some of the statements you haveposted here.

I like changing my body. I like working on the look and the internal process. I like to lift weights. I LOVE the changes it has made to my body. Not that I was unhappy with my body before - but if I have the power to change the look, for the fun of it, why not? I love the look of a sleek, athletic cut body. I also like how healthy I am because of it. I like learning about my body and how it responds to different nutrient ratios and exercises.

Not everyone who exercises or diets is obsessive or influenced by the media. There are many internally driven good reasons to change the way you look.

I think you are making huge generalizations about people and their bodies.

[swlsue]

Cycling indoors and outdoors builds great legs, provided you can see the muscle under the fat. I think maybe you are referring to some of the great definition you see in cyclist legs, particularly calves.

I will tell you another thing - look around at heavyset people - some of them have awesome calves. Why? It's a function of the way they walk and the fact that they carry around alot of weight while doing it.

Calves are a tough muscle to build. If you are trying to build them, hit the weights - but be warned - to build them requires heavy heights and even then you are not guaranteed.

[bcipam]

Cycling indoors and outdoors builds great legs, provided you can see the muscle under the fat. I think maybe you are referring to some of the great definition you see in cyclist legs, particularly calves.

I will tell you another thing - look around at heavyset people - some of them have awesome calves. Why? It's a function of the way they walk and the fact that they carry around alot of weight while doing it.

Calves are a tough muscle to build. If you are trying to build them, hit the weights - but be warned - to build them requires heavy heights and even then you are not guaranteed.

I think that's it. It's a matter of weight training or weight bearing exercises that developes large, muscular calves. Mine are absolutely huge! Alot of the size and shape came from my early days of power lifting and weight training but they have also been defined further by lots and lots of riding, especially up hills and under load (lots of mountain biking). There is no way to make a muscle bigger without using weights or load in one form or another.

Great tip - if you are in the habit of stretching after a ride, do toe lifts (ie stand on the curb, use your car or a fence for balance and toes on the curb, heel dropped toward the street and using your calves only, lift. - hopefully you get the image). Also stair climbing or hiking up hills is a great way to build definition. If hiking, try always carrying a heavy backpack for extra measure.

And then again there is a whole genetic disposition to large legs and calves. Even some of our top competitive body builders have difficulty building calve muscles. Some races has more difficulty some less. I'm Asian and most Asians can build fairly muscular legs. I know of competitive lifters who have had calf implants... can you imagine?

[swlsue]

I'm Asian and most Asians can build fairly muscular legs.

BCi Pam - me too!

[Geonz]

Unless I flex 'em just right, my calves don't look like biker calves... which I sorta like because it means I'm always being underestimated. I'd have to get emaciated to get rid of the softening layer of subcutaneous fat - and it's probably why I can ride comfortably when others are turning blue.

[bcipam]

BCi Pam - me too!

That explains your avatar - great thighs girl!!!

My thighs are too heavy but I do have awesome calves. Just something about the Asian body - I think gentically we were disposed to carry heavy loads or something.

PS: I am half Japanese, quarter American Indian and German. Strange combo. I have no hair on my legs or arms and also am not allergic to poison Oak which I found out comes from my Native American heritage. I guess the German part of me is my height (5'8") and statute (broad shoulders, slim hips).