Over the years, and on this web page, Mike Mentzer provided a valuable
tip on training calves,
suggesting that you treat them like any other muscle with a high intensity
approach. His basis
for such a claim, as he explained clearly, is that if high volume (overtraining)
was the problem,
how could it be the solution? In other words, why would you frequently
train a chronically
overtrained muscle, as a result of daily repetitive contractions, with
more low-intensity work?
I'll further put this in a logical context, as endorsed by some past bodybuilding
champions:
If a muscle (i.e., calves) undergoes repetitive contractions throughout
the day, then the
prescribed method of building muscle mass is to attempt even more work
since the muscle is
stubborn, and growth must be coaxed into occurring.
Hence:
Regularly worked muscles must be worked frequently in order to induce growth.
(premise)
The calves are regularly worked muscles. (premise)
Therefore, the calves must be worked frequently in order to induce growth.
(conclusion).
Now, consider the following: the thigh muscles also undergo repetitive work, whenever you walk or go about daily activities requiring mobilization. If one were so passionate about training calves on a highly frequent basis (i.e., nearly every day), shouldn't one also approach thigh training in a like manner? The only reason this is not done is because thigh work is so much more exhausting, and the ill-effects of overtraining would be felt to a greater magnitude. Likewise, the muscles of the shoulder joint also undergo repetitive and continuous work throughout the day--why not train that muscle group frequently? Moreover, even when you're not walking or using your arms, the muscles of the abdominal wall and lower back are regularly working to maintain an upright position. Attempt training the low back muscles, or any muscle for that matter, nearly every day and your only reward will be chronic overuse atrophy.
A sample program, that I suggest to some of the more serious bodybuilders,
is one set of single
dumbbell calf raises consisting of 6-8 fairly slow repetitions to failure,
followed by 6-8 forced
and 6-8 negatives (with the assistance of the opposite leg), for a total
of 18-24 repetitions.
Complete this only once every 2-3 weeks at most, with no other calf training
between these
sessions, for only 3-4 workouts, then take at least 3-4 weeks off before
returning to
conventional training. I increased my calf size by 1 inch from only 4 such
workouts.
Another routine that put 1/2 inch on my calves in only 2 workouts was performing
a set of
seated calf raises, followed a few minutes later by a set of standing calf
raises, both for 100
repetitions each. Although the pain is quite excruciating, it may be just
the thing to shock your
calves into growth. Regardless of the number of repetitions, i.e., 100,
you must stay true to the
Heavy Duty philosophy of performing minimal sets (the minimum required),
train to failure
and maintain the necessary recovery time to avoid overtraining.
As with any technique that can alter growth to a large extent, it usually
doesn't work as well
the second or third time around due to adaptation. My calf growth quickly
slowed down after
making gains on these two routines, although I reinstated them repeatedly.
Therefore, if you
try these routines make sure that you're not overtraining and are highly
motivated to complete
the task at hand.
Another excellent tip for getting the most out of your calf training is
to concentrate on lifting
your heels up, rather than raising up on your toes. This will actually
make the exercise more
strict, and the contraction more intense.
Finally, and most importantly, what you may actually need is zero sets
for your calves... at
least zero directly intended sets, viz., calf raises. Mike Mentzer has
suggested that for some,
even one set of direct stimulation may prove too stressful as evidenced
by two of his clients
whose calves grew only when they quit direct calf work. He suspected the
indirect effect from
their squats and deadlifts was all they required for calf growth; that
anything over and above
that stimulation was too much. As a result, their calves grew one-quarter
of an inch! I noticed
the same effect when I stopped training my hamstrings with direct sets
of leg curls.