Quote Originally Posted by 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.
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?