Calves anyone?

[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

[Dogmama]

Pulling up on the pedals (pedaling in a circle) works hamstrings (back of upper leg.) The standing calf press that you're referring to works calves because the concentric action (pushing) in pushing the weight up. When you lower it, you are using eccentric action (fighting the weight from going down too quickly) which is very different from pulling.

Your calves may be more defined because you've lost the body fat covering them from riding - not from pulling up on the pedals.

[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.

[RoadRaven]

Fair enough Sue

I fully acknowledge our desire to change the way we look - that is one of the motivating factors for me getting on a bike...

I'm just always interested in fit people who have a body that functions well and does what is asked of them (for example, useful cyclists who want to just cycle) who choose to cross train, not for another sport/discipline, but for purely cosmetic purposes.

See, when you explain it like this...
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.
I can see its more than just a cosmetic thing, its art to you, and its science, and thats cool

Maybe its the laziness coming out in me yet again - I just couldn't be bothered cross-training without a practical purpose.

I am asking WHY mess with it because this way of thinking is not my experience
I am not saying DONT mess with it

Raven

[Technotart]

My calves are sore after riding as well - along with the hamstrings so they must be doing something!

It all depends on where you focus. A lot of the cylclists I see out there have very well defined calves - including my son - and I can say for a fact that he hasnt seen the inside of a gym or a weight training program since February.

Cycling DOES have some effect on your calves, maybe just not the effect you are looking for?

[bcipam]

There is a difference between muscle development and definition. The reduction of body fat will cause the calves and legs to look more defined. If you cycle alot, then you will lose body fat in your calves and thus they will be more defined. If calves are small, or the muscle underdeveloped, and you wish to create more bulk, than weight training is needed. You can also ride occasionally "under load" by standing on the bike and pushing a harder gear. This is equivolent to standing calve lifts in the gym.