Training the calf muscles to increase their size can pose a significant problem to many people. After all, it’s rare to see anybody walking around with huge calf muscles. Although the calf muscle is a difficult muscle to train by its very nature, most people simply do not know how to train them. Using the seated calf raise exercise is a good way to train the calf muscles, because it allows for added weight.
Just like any other muscle, adding weight is the key to training the calf muscles. Much in the same way that people seem to forget the amps are muscles and benefit from added weight, people also seem to forget that the calf’s are muscles and must be trained with added weight, too.
Not only are the calf muscles in need of added weight to train them, but they are also in need of extra high repetitions. This is because the calf muscle is designed to be resistant against fatigue, and as you know, the key to growth in the muscle is fatiguing the muscle thoroughly.
For this reason I recommend repetitions of 15 to 25.
Here is how to perform the seated calf raise…
- Sit at the calf raise machine and place your toes on the platform at the bottom in such a way which allows for stability, but also a good range of motion. Toes should be pointing straight forwards.
- Tuck the end of your thighs and knees under the padded lever; lower legs vertical.
- Push up from the toes flexing your calf muscles and release the support lever.
- Slowly lower the weight down as far as you can possibly go whilst keeping your toes firmly on the lower platform.
- Repeat.
Tips:
- Give your calf muscles a good squeeze at the top of the movement.
- Give your calf muscles a good stretch at the bottom of the movement.