OK...some of you know that my journey really begin in April. I have lost some inches all over except for my calves. Started at 14.5" and as of yesterday, 8/31/2008 still at 14.5. I see no changes. I do standing calves flat on the floor with 15 pound dumbells in my hand and lift as high as I can to the tip of my toes. I also do the calf raises on a 6 inch riser lightly holding onto a body bar and shift my feet to the edge of the riser as far as I can with good form and start lifting as high as I can to the tip of my toe without falling or leaning onto the body bar too much. Any suggestioins or is the calf muscle a tough one.

Yes, the calve muscle is a tough one!

I have short legs and big calve muscle. They have ALWAYS been big even when I was a skinny minnie in high school. Dancing was partly to blame but I just got a great book that explains it even better...

Strength Training Anatomy

In this book it explains that there are two types of calves

1. Long calve muscle and short achilles tendon (ME!!)

or

2. Short calve muscle and long achilles tendon

The people with long calve muscles can develop it easily but the ones with the long achilles and short calve muscle resist developing bulk.

My personal opinion is that my calve muscle, just like all the rest of my body, is gonna do what it's gonna do. Atwin, if you just eat right and exercise your calve muscle will be in the best shape just like the rest of you!

It sounds to me like you are doing the exercises right. When you do them make sure you contract the muscle you're working and do the movement slowly - don't rush through the rep.

But, do they LOOK different? Are they shaplier? Cathe and I have the same calf & arm measurement, but well, you get my point!

One thing we do that helps shape up the soleus and especially the gastrocnemius (cool words, huh?) is the leg press machine. Add weight, as this is a pretty small motion. Do presses with just your toes on. Your heels should go past the machine on the eccentric, or lowering part of the exercise, and you should be pushing with just your toes on the concentric (push) part. Do as many as you can, til failure.

Rest, then do a set in plie' "(ballerina).

Rest, then do a set with pidgeon toes (pointed together).

That's all I got, Anita!

Thanks for the response guys. Silly...unfortunately I don't have one of the machines that you describe in my fitness center in my apt complex.

You might try changing your foot postition on the standing calf raises?

Silly....yes I will be trying the ballerina thingy.

Calves are one of the hardest body parts to deal with. I've been working out for years. My calf measurement is the exact same today as it was when I started. I have an insane calf press. I can do 500 pounds for reps without even batting an eye. I usually hit knee failure LONG before I'll hit calf failure.

What I've learned to do is work volume, not weight. I'll go for beating my last personal best on reps, aiming to failure on three sets. It's boring, but does toast the calves nicely.

I also do seated raises with dumbells resting on my knees. Again, the game isn't weight it's volume.

Rejoice in the fact you have strong calves. That muscle helps burn calories when you are sitting still. It's a gift to be enjoyed. It also means you have fab legs when you are in heels!

Thanks Clara......I will try to go for volume as well. Didn't know that about my calves. Thanks again for the info.