No calf machine!

[blackangst1]

My apartment actually has a VERY nice gym. Im just starting a basic weight program (actually started a month ago) and last week added a leg routine. But...there is no calf machine.

I was thinking I could grab maybe a couple 50 lb dumbells and do toe raises? Advice?

 

[purbeast0]

do they have a leg press machine? you can do calves very easily with it.

infact there are a ton of ways you can do calves w/out an explicit "calf" machine.

 

[Deeko]

If there's a squat rack (easiest with a smith machine), and something with a ledge you can stand on - you can use that. Some gyms have things specifically for this purpose.

 

[marvdmartian]

Blackangst1, your idea is entirely viable. Like these guys said, leg press machines & squat racks work well, but if all you have is some weights, that should help.
I do know that balancing the balls of your feet on the edge of a step, and then using the drop off for a bigger calf stretch, especially with some extra weight, always seems to do best for me. Pretty much what a squat machine, with a calf platform, does.

 

[onlyCOpunk]

If you aren't looking to get bodybuilder big, you could always just jump rope, or go jogging.

People often neglect the fact that calves are very powerful muscles. Everytime you jump your calves are forcing like 3 times your bodyweight into the air, and same with running.

But yeah the leg press machine and other machines allow for calf exercises. Otherwise holding extra weight and going up and down from your toes will bulk up too.

 

[everman]

Just put a barbell on your shoulders and do standing calf raises.

 

[DangerAardvark]

Originally posted by: onlyCOpunk
If you aren't looking to get bodybuilder big, you could always just jump rope, or go jogging.

People often neglect the fact that calves are very powerful muscles. Everytime you jump your calves are forcing like 3 times your bodyweight into the air, and same with running.

But yeah the leg press machine and other machines allow for calf exercises. Otherwise holding extra weight and going up and down from your toes will bulk up too.

Yeah, calves are crazily strong. Though their range of motion is only a few inches. I just do calf raises with a barbell. Then I have to take like half the weight off like a pussy to do squats.

 

[blackangst1]

Thanks guys. I think the best option for me is to use a couple dumbells for weight and do toe raises. Im not looking for to really beef up, nore just to get my body in decent shape. Lean, if you will. Thats why Im also doing 3 sets of 7-10 reps on everything, and not 5x3 or something. Not looking for bulk, just fit and strenghth.

Thanks again!

 

[Tenet]

Another option is to buy "strength shoes".
http://sportsci.org/traintech/strengthshoes/fch.htm

 

[TallBill]

Originally posted by: everman
Just put a barbell on your shoulders and do standing calf raises.

Even better, place a few plates on the ground, lift barbell off and put your toes on the edge of the plates so you can move past horizontal.

Then, do supersets. 10x with barbell, rack it, then do 30 with just bodyweight.

 

[MiranoPoncho]

Have you considered either good mornings, or Stiff legg deadlifts on a platform? Or finding a friend with an suv and sprinting behind the thing about a parking lot then?

 

[Jahee]

Originally posted by: MiranoPoncho
Have you considered either good mornings, or Stiff legg deadlifts on a platform? Or finding a friend with an suv and sprinting behind the thing about a parking lot then?

For calfs thoser target your hamstrings.