How To Get Bigger Calves: The Best Training Program And Techniques

[@randizimmermann1570]

i was a gymnast for 13 years and my calves are massive, just train them like 4-5 hours a day in a high impact environment that demands constant fast twitch responses for years on end and destroys all your joints. super easy ;)

[@adrian3482]

Oh wow only 4 hours a day, huh? Super easy? Ok.

[@randizimmermann1570]

@@adrian3482 i guess you didn't sense the sarcasm...

[@x_Artius_x]

⁠@@randizimmermann1570don’t mind Adrian. He is a little slow, but he has the spirit and one extra chromosome.

[@TheGreektrojan]

This reminds me of all the unironic "just do rock climbing bro" on forearm videos where its like "10 minutes of direct forearm work a few times a week is too much so just add another expensive and time consuming activity instead that doubles your weekly training time!"

[@bloodeagle2945]

​@@x_Artius_xhis brain is slow-twitch

[@kellyhoesing2573]

My intense calf training regimen is become morbidly obese for thirty years but keep walking every day. It takes deep commitment to put away that third dominos deep dish, but the results speak for themselves

[@baconblaster6422]

Lmao

[@simplyremington]

Respect

[@YOGO_MUSHI]

Ik a guy that’s used to be really fat and lost a lot of weight and his calves are insane.

[@embiqioused]

@@YOGO_MUSHIthat guy is me lol

[@ALovelyBunchOfDragonballz]

My legs muscles are strong because my appetite suppression is weak.

[@SeriesOfYouTubes]

After watching this, I am definitely selling my cattle herd and investing in Alpacas. Thanks for the great farming advice, Dr Mike!

[@BackGuy]

*takes notes furiously*

[@ajithsidhu7183]

Spongebob "write that down patrick "

[@20ftBurmesePythonChaser]

after seeing each other in roads , I'm like ''heeeeey , my man, we are diagnosed with smallcalf syndrome.''

[@saadrehmanshah]

feverishly

[@souviksingh7697]

Can’t wait to watch a 26 minute long video about a muscle I will never train.

[@yeongwonhan95]

read this while thinking the exact same thing 💀

[@dusk6159]

That's that neck type of stuff

[@dusk6159]

@@xBenjamin18 Oh for sure, I was about to say that the difference is that neck is very useful and that it better be trained, at least if one doesn't already need to

[@souviksingh7697]

@@dusk6159but I do train neck.

[@thefucrew9865]

​​@@souviksingh7697, obviously.....because you obviously haven't trained anything between your ears either. And it shows.

[@Beerus7]

A good way to include calves at the start of your training is to superset them. Doing pullups? Calves between sets. Bench? Calves between. Arms? Same. Calves wont affect your chest/back/arms sets and if they do, you have bigger problems than calves.

[@ClayBBj111]

Great idea

[@Paraselene_Tao]

I noticed the same thing. It is easy af to superset calf raises into upper body workouts. Calf exercises superset so well into upper body workouts that it's absurd. There's zero performance drop. In fact, I feel better fitting calves into my upper body rest periods because it gives me some meaningful work to complete during the rest period. I'm still new (21 weeks lifting), so maybe my beginner recomp will end soon, but I think fitting calves into the upper body works well.

[@doyourownresearch7297]

calling it a superset with my tiny calves seems like a lie. there is nothing super about it

[@Beerus7]

@@doyourownresearch7297 be super consistent haha.

[@netnavigator3264]

Which exercise/s?

[@navnnavn1226]

The good thing about the seated calf raise machine is that it gives your soleus a great stretch if you pause at the bottom - perfect for increasing your ankle mobility to increase ROM on e.g. squats where your knee is also bent. Worked wonders for me, anyway!

[@maxschmidt9461]

Never thought about it but I think it did the same for me. Definitely the Adductor machine did that for me to get deeper on squats and leg presses, now I just do one set a week to keep that flexibility

[@yourspookygay]

Definitely train my calves for the ankle strength (I play roller derby)

[@PPakzad]

I've always had small calves. So I gave it three months of consistent tranining. In the first month I trained them daily as the first thing in each gym session. Then gradually shifted to three days, and now it's only two days a week, when I have leg day anyway. I go super low on the weight, but super high on the volume. Five sets of 25-30, or until failure, and I point the toes in different directions at every ten reps. I also stretch them deeply between sets. I have never - ever! - had this size of calves as I do now. The result has been unbelievable for me. 3 months, consistently, and of course I am continuing. Some days I do several exercizes: Machine calf raise (my fav), standing calf raise (smith machine), seated calv raise, lying calf raise (leg press machine).

[@Tobias_K_]

What is your calf meassurement now?

[@moesawad]

Did the most growth occurs during the twice a week or 3 times a week frequency?

[@desperon]

@@moesawadwith something like calves i feel like the higher end is gonna be better, im in the process of switching to doing calves 3-4 times a week just due to how much volume they need to grow, fingers crossed it works

[@JohnnyUtah9173]

You are fortunate that your genetics allowed for that growth. Some of us work out similar to what you’ve done and gain nothing.

[@LOLI_]

​@JohnnyUtah9173 if you do it correctly and consistently, your calf muscles will grow. It is a muscle after all. Stop blaming genetics.

[@MikadoRyugaminae]

I've been doing 4-6 sets of 50 body weight calf raises, every time I brush my teeth for 3 months now, and they have blown up. It's been wild how well it's worked

[@art320]

That must be a giant set of teeth brushing 🪥

[@OmarIsuf]

First you came after the OHP, now we're growing calves. I'm speechless.

[@MeanBeanComedy]

How do you not have a checkmark yet?

[@levidiaz3074]

A big upper body and a small lower body has always puzzled me. Until I started pushing weight

[@Smashologist]

9:23 beautifully put. when I first began training, I did much of what this video covers and sure I developed newbie gains which felt nice but it wasn't sustainable. Now-a-days, I have a deeper understanding of principles of WHY a given exercise works, while also understanding how my body interacts with those exercises. Thanks for putting information like this out there for those just starting and those still grinding!

[@johndavison2760]

Just stumbled upon this channel....This content is among the best I've seen - an integration of theory, research, and practice!

[@embiqioused]

And homo-eroticism

[@douglastormrage]

i used to do calves on the high spectrum rep range and it didn't grow as much as i wanted. started doing sets of 8-12 rep close to failure with around 1 minute rest 2x a week and my calves grew 5cm in just 1.2 year! (37cm before, 42cm now)

[@tannerjansen2147]

Ayee

[@ryanlion9197]

how many sets per session?

[@lgorVargas]

But you're natural or use testo?

[@dx5soundlabs939]

I've always found almost all leg muscles grow faster with high volume vs heavy weights, but you have to go to failure or extremely close, more so than with upper body.

[@Zipeed]

When you grew up as a chunky kid and your calves are already massive

[@buckbuckleyson2259]

All the fat people I know have huge calves lol

[@AH-xp5em]

Yep! I'm in that gang!

[@AmadeusMaxwell]

I knew I didn't have any intention of specializing calves when I clicked the video and still learned a lot about specializing any muscle group. Great video, I really appreciate the emphasis on trying to get the best stimulus for your specific body with the lowest amount of sets. I'm still a beginner but I see people doing junk volume all the time and seem to be proud of it, and I just feel like its the equivalent of overpaying for something and bragging about it, lol

[@pninnan]

Junk volume is more like being proud of being very inefficient. Like bragging that it took you 10 tries to pass a test or something

[@FR5DDY]

I do calf raises in the leg press right after doing the regular leg press movement, 2 sets. 4 sets/week, high intensity and high reps. Imo it's more about technique than volume for these, because a lot of people do them without focusing on the squeeze at the lower point.

[@blondebomber-qo2uy]

I do the same thing. Works well for me and my cattle

[@ShaneBoy]

Do the same and it works. Its the strech at the bottom and a little bit in the peak contraction at the top its all about. Poeple tend to just bounce up and down in the mid range and then complain that they have bad genetics for calves.

[@TheGreektrojan]

Leg press calf raises are an amazing exercise. Easily my favorite calf exercise.

[@deyvisonwillamy6931]

How do you train your legs and calves with the same weight ? 🧐

[@FR5DDY]

Idk how to explain it but my leg press is one where it's kinda like a hack squat in the sense u press but the body moves, not the weight. so at the top u can do calves with big weight since the resistance profile is not as big @@deyvisonwillamy6931

[@roguecode2354]

Next should be forearms.

[@justasquatspecialist]

👊👊👊🥩🥩🥩 2RIR

[@brandontibbetts4214]

I feel like I get enough forearm stimulus from a lot of other non-forearm focused heavy lifts like dead lifts, pull ups, shrugs, rows, lat pulls, farmer walks... there are so many.

[@TheGreektrojan]

He's already done forearms. kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5Svl6GajNGMeJI

[@deehugz1682]

He’s already done a forearms specialization video

[@acanthafiore]

Try armwrestling lifts. Lotta armwrestlers, even the small guys got very thick wrists and forearms that put many bodybuilders to shame.

[@adamweisshaup]

I'm actually cool with having zero calf growth ambition. I just clicked this video because dude generally gives useful advice.

[@MercilessBreed]

So true

[@LatimusChadimus]

And has dozens of great jokes each and every upload

[@brandontibbetts4214]

You probably have naturally big calves.

[@adamw9248]

I feel like complaining about small calves should be reserved for when you're already jacked to the gills everywhere else. Like if you still buy normal human clothes then don't worry about it. Once you start having to custom make all of your clothes from swatches that could be used to make an RV cover, then we'll talk about calves.

[@Imnotbalding]

I don't really care for bodybuilding, I only lift to improve my performance in my sport, but I watch all of his videos for the jokes in it.

[@igotaak47]

My buddy at work doesn’t workout, calf’s so big he can’t even pull his pant leg up over his calf. I hates him.

[@snoopbell1]

Whyvo bet he has no agility

[@StNovaSt]

We hates him too…precious

[@greattribulation1388]

@@snoopbell1🧐

[@user-lp7rp7cb4g]

​@@StNovaStfr

[@bnotnow18]

Thanks!

[@cptbaker]

I'm just going to complain about bad genetics, while simultaneously skipping leg day indefinitely. It just seems like the right thing to do 😂

[@jucxox]

As a Samoan woman, calves are a muscle I never have to train to grow. I’m sorry men, I’d share what the good lord gave me with you all if I could. There’s more than enough to go around. I don’t even know why I clicked on this one. Love you doc!

[@TheOxIshere]

I more or less have been training my calves like this for 7 years and the results have been astounding. About 2-3 times a week. I’m a bit more aggressive with the volume than Dr. Mike suggests but that’s just due to what responds for me. However most people with descent size calves use reps in the 15-20 range. Obviously there will be exceptions. On some days I’ll go up to 25-30 reps. Depends on how I feel that day. This video is a keeper. Study it!

[@soots-stayingoutofthespotl5495]

Those are the same rep ranges that I use mostly, with the corresponding amount of weight obviously, mixing it up between doing standing dumbbell reps performed off a sturdy step/ squat platform and feet planted low on the cable leg press machine. It's probably fine for beginners, but I'd never go as low as 8 to 12 reps whatever the method these days, because you're just starting to feel a burn and then you stop. I've been known to do 35 to 50-rep sets on occasion actually, and I sometimes superset dumbbell calf raises with *unweighted* calf raises, or superset cable calf raises with bent-legs/ feet higher-up/ heels raised/ extremely limited-ROM leg presses to finish off the calves and work the soleus. The only problem with doing the latter is that onlookers can stare because they evidently perceive it as a pathetic leg press form (so I feel that I have to touch my calves throughout to demonstrate that it's them I'm working, not my entire lower half).

[@drr7774]

Dr. Mike you should do an episode on blood flow restricted (BFR) training. I'm a hard gainer in calves and have been seeing really good progress using this and avoiding my calves always being tired.

[@TeresaStAmant]

Thanks for this. My husband had surgery, and really atrophied his left calf. This will be very helpful.

[@samk2407]

I just can't help but think that the biggest reason people can't grow calves is because accessing the eccentric portion of the movement is really really awkward. Like between shitty ankle mobility, the actual really high strength and volume capacity of the muscles and your feet slipping off of calf raise machines constantly. It's really hard to actually every overload them

[@doubleHLabs]

Do a training session/product review for the shoes with the GIANT front platform for calf training!

[@pubjitsuguy8596]

Your channel is gold. The swearing the meandering chat. Science maybe only change is occasional opinion of yours not supported by science. Like the seated calf dis. Love it all

[@zants_]

I've just recently started isolating calves, so this should be super helpful for me. They're always the most painful leg muscle for me after workouts (both in terms of intensity, but especially longevity of DOMS), plus ankle pain from being on my feet at work all day. Hypertrophy is appreciated too of course, but the main objective is just getting to a point that my calves/ankles hopefully don't constantly hurt so much. (It's worked for hip, back, and ab isolation, so I'm hopeful.)

[@SCW_Fitness]

Look up John meadows tibialis training. This will likely have a bigger impact on giving you the effects you want.

[@CeroAshura]

4x6 heavy calf presses with 3 second hold in the most stretched position and ending the last set by holding at the stretched position ALAP.

[@stal2496]

It should be mentioned that training the soleus muscle or having a strong soleus muscle is good for ankle and knee injury prevention and/or recovery

[@jorgebarahona7886]

Mike you have the uncanny ability to post a video about something im thinking of improving or to work on with more intensity. Best fitness youtuber ever man keep it up.

[@UnhumanNewman]

I think he has the ability to talk about specific training modalities or body parts that I’ll NEVER do and still get me to watch. He’s the best!

[@mitchell6143]

Please make one of these specialization episodes for chest training! My chest and front delts are my weak point.

[@18Hands]

Never had to do any weight lifting for the calves other than martial arts. All of the being elevated on the toes really gets the calves jacked.

[@dparis2172]

I was hoping that a 26 minute video on calves training might include shin muscle training too, but it looks like that’s going to warrant its own 26 minute video.

[@diyking2023]

Gotta say Dr. Mike’s videos are pure gold! I have watched my physique transform after following the general principles and guidance given on his platform. 🙏🏻

[@parkerb764]

After trying everything for calves I found the only way they grow is slow controlled reps and holding deep stretches at the very bottom of each rep

[@alexdenommee3219]

Just want to give a general opinion, once again before I start the video: Calves are two muscle bodies, the gastrocnemius and the soleus, they perform different actions, the soleus only runs to the knee and is worked with seated calf variations while the gastroc runs to the hip and is worked with standing calf variations. The calves are attached the strongest tendon in the human body, and they are generally smaller muscle bodies. The Soleus however is considered a "biomechanical" second heart, due to the fact that it helps force blood back up the legs, forcing blood through blood sphincters, etc. What this means though, is to target the muscle bodies themselves, the tendon needs to be removed as much as possible from the equation (NOT LITERALLY DON'T HURT YOUR ACHILLE'S TENDON OMFG), what I mean is that you need to reduce the ELASTIC ENERGY THAT THE TENDON STORES, that means pausing between every single rep. When you pause between each set, you dissipate a great amount of the elastic energy from the Achille's tendon, allowing for the muscle's themselves to do more work/contract harder/properly. Seated variations can also be done standing with a bent knee with odd variations if need be, but not recommended, and I recommend never training the Soleus single-legged, the reason being stabilization will start taking over, while your goal is to focus on contracting the muscle under load with reduced elastic energy provided from the tendon. Standing variations on the other hand are amazing when done single-legged, the reason is because there is less strain/stabilization on the knee for heavier loads. The true best standing variation is a donkey calf raise. If I were to program calves into a commercial gym routine, I would perform them after compounds/quads/hamstrings, and I would perform heavy standing calf raise, into donkey raises lighter focusing on full stretch, reducing elastic energy, and fully contracting the muscle, into seated calf raise machine into a bent knee standing calf raise variation I already do at home. TL;DR: Pause between each rep to reduce the elastic energy built up in the Achille's tendon, to focus on contracting the calf muscles appropriately. If your serious about growing them, they need to be trained standing and seated, as they focus on two different muscle bodies technically. Once again, standing variations target the gastrocnemius, while seated variations target the soleus. The calves don't really need much heavy work, they need to simply be targeted properly. Bounce reps are a sign of abusing elastic energy stored in the tendon. I am hoping I get a damn response from you one day lol. Take this with a grain of salt, I smoke A LOT of marijuana.

[@pritchy007]

Thank you so much for the explanation. I have a question...when I train my calves I feel so much pain in the back of my knee (In the joint) one or two days after the workout, sometimes into the third or forth day. Sometimes I can't even walk properly after standing up because I can't stretch the leg on the knee joint. I never feel the muscle sore. Also, sometimes I feel this sudden rush of blood going up my calves one or two days after the workout. Does that all sound normal? Just asking because if that's not normal I may go to the doctor. I am new to this whole workout thing so please bear in mind. Thanks

[@Sol-01]

this is really true

[@NineInchFailz]

I love that shirt. The ultimate sign of respect to a fellow lifter when you compliment their physique

[@rorymkirk]

Hey Dr Mike, just subscribed. I’ve only recently got back into working out (at 36 after a sedentary decade debilitated a very sporty youth). So far it’s just about getting tone, mobility and the discipline of regular exercise back. Doing 4-5 “active break” sessions daily of stretches, squats, sits ups and push ups (~40each/session. Been thinking I need to refine or develop this as I make progress… finding a lot of good advice on your channel, appreciate it!

[@rachelmel]

If you are just starting to work out again and this is where you landed first, you are in very good hands!

[@rorymkirk]

@@rachelmel definitely. technique has come a long way on everything, and it’s making a big difference. Thanks Dr Mike!

[@g.250]

Thank you so much for this!! I can't wait to listen n watch this cuz I train my calves alot and I've gone from a 12 inch circumference to 14 in 2 years training them 3 to 5 days a week, got to get them fatigued.

[@Malravenous]

Every SINGLE DAYYYY You post a vdeo relating to a muscle group/area I am working/plan to work. This beautiful, beautiful man.

[@JR-gc2vv]

I am 'blessed' with high insertion calves and skinny bone structure. Even after years of training them (blood and tears style) and gotten some growth in them. It still looks like a chicken leg.. Can't wear high socks on the beach.. lol great video, thanks for all your work.

[@LC-yo3bj]

My calves are insanely low insertion, after focusing on them for about a year that upper part is developed enough that it looks decent. I’d hit them 3x a week skipping on legs on a PPL split. I started with super minor calves and now they’re meaty. I do have skinny bone structure but due to that low insertion it didn’t help. My forearms looks massive with my girly ass twink wrists. Self perception is a pain in the ass but once you feel better you’re healthier and realize that health is what really mattered the whole time.

[@snowys4168]

Personally I like to let them wean slowly off of milk and then graze free range but this seems fine too

[@rsh793]

😂

[@__Mav__]

Great vid! I'm gonna copy/paste this to delts!

[@paulblake1164]

I've found that counterbalancing Calves with tibialis muscles will improve knees' stability and size to the lower leg development.

[@buckbuckleyson2259]

Next vid: how to get HUGE tibialis

[@Shvabicu]

I do calves in between flat barbell bench and incline dumbbell bench so I am more recovered when I do my inclines. It's a muscle you can sandwich between lots of exercises to get a breather.

[@alic6958]

Standing calve raises in the smith machine. Use a platform for your toes to stand on, then you can can increase the range of motion. These seems to target them the best for me.

[@apex9177]

I agree, Full stretch on range of motion both ways, hold the weight top and bottom for a good 4 seconds each way, get through the uncomfortable feeling it gives until failure, and use a burst of energy like your jumping and enjoy that burn, hit them hard and they will grow like the doc said at 10:15

[@apex9177]

I noticed sitting & leaning forward on the machines activates/stretches the calves nicely, obviously because your pre stretching them, give it a try and let me know what you think, it's like standing while trying to touch your toes and then doing raises, maad workout

[@forces2430]

I do calves in between my two most mentally exhausting leg exercises as a sort of break exercise. Of course I still train them hard but I will never skip them because I do not want to do leg press and rdls back to back

[@slimbrady6004]

This is some amazing info that I’m never gonna use

[@KeithMooreStrength]

Been waiting on this one 🔥🔥🔥

[@apothe6]

11:30 Mike doesn't endorse seated calf raises? I've been doing it wrong this whole time..... Damn

[@TokyoSwan.]

Calves are my best muscle. Calf raises, body weight, high reps 30+, sets of 4, iso hold 10 seconds after every set, never put your heel down.

[@iCort3]

I like your sense of humor. I’m chuckling while taking notes. Thanks Doc.

[@roadstar499]

Spot on everyone responds differently...learn what works for you...than be consistent...in six months you will see results.

[@gregoryowen841]

Great advice. Most humorous Mike video, ever!

[@Stephanie-zq6sn]

Could you please make a video that discusses the design of a leg-focused specialization meso where you're hitting quads, glutes, and hamstrings 3x per week (back and chest on backburner, for example)? You have a video on quad specialization, but I'm having trouble applying those concepts to a "looser" specialization where overall leg dev is the priority and ultimately 3 muscle groups are targeted simultaneously. My main question is would it be better to have 1 quad-focused, 1 glute-focused, and 1-ham focused day? Or hit all 3 groups evenly each session? Or maybe prioritize 2 per session (i.e. quads/hams, hams/glutes, glutes/quads)? If you could just answer that it would be a huge help - thanks Dr. Mike!

[@xBenjamin18]

Do what you want and see how it works haha. You don’t need permission to try shit.

[@Stephanie-zq6sn]

@@xBenjamin18 I have been doing that, and I’m not asking for permission. I’m looking to get input on what is optimal or close to it from someone I highly respect in the field

[@xBenjamin18]

@@Stephanie-zq6sn Optimal this, optimal that, everybody is obsessed with the word "optimal" these days. Its not better to have 1 glute day or 1 quad day. It's not better to hit 3 groups every session, or space them out. Just try a split and see how you recover or like it lol.

[@Stephanie-zq6sn]

@@xBenjamin18 I agree, “analysis paralysis” is definitely a thing - but I don’t think it hurts to try to make my training as optimal as possible. There is certainly a difference between keeping the majority of volume for a muscle group to once per week vs spreading it out over 3 days. And that might have some caveats to it if you’re prioritizing 3 muscle groups simultaneously…which brings me to my question! I have 60-90 minutes in the gym per day, might as well attempt to make the most of it :)

[@xBenjamin18]

@@Stephanie-zq6sn True, nothing inherently wrong with what you've said. Your question could come down to a few things imo, such as how many days are you willing to train? If you have 3+ then it could be feasible to spread the volume over the days, which could mean you recover quicker if you do less sets per day.. If you were to put more focus for groups on one day, you might not recover from the extra volume for those given muscle groups. There are trade offs for everything that can be done and one way could be 'optimal' for you and not for someone else. Thats why I was saying to just try things for yourself and see how they work for you. Its so person dependant. Either you try the different ways out for yourself or hire a coach to help you.

[@slasher298]

I've just been doing that seated calve raise with a really slow eccentric and a focus on the stretch. I never really checked them out until last week cause I figured nobody gets big calves - but they're JACKED!

[@mikkelrolsson]

Saving this for later 🙏

[@boydbaggens]

I come to this channel for the analogies and the Martain Lawrence quotes… oh and the content. Great job buddy.

[@zacbinns7016]

I was just looking through your videos about calve training a couple hours ago and now you put out a new video, I'm convinced I'm in the matrix

[@oskytel3780]

I'm a calf and tibialis anterior fanatic - my pride and joy and have no problem hitting them at end of upper body days.

[@manifestyourlife6]

Learning about calves and consensual club sex lol, Mike always has me dying. 😂😂

[@khalidou]

Does anyone find that their feet are the limiting factor instead of their calves?

[@dCBlurrr]

always posting the right videos

[@theunpretentiousvegan8593]

The biggest calves I ever saw were on an overweight summer camp director. The mess hall was on top of a huge hill and everything else was at the bottom. Up an down that hill multiple times everyday was all the calf work he ever needed.

[@maxschmidt9461]

Great stuff as always, though I disagree that calves don't interfere in terms of systemic fatigue, sure, they're a joke compared to quads, but 3-4 sets of 20-30 to failure on seated calve raises(slow and controlled, each set a couple minutes long)sure zap some life force and will reduce the output on following exercises, not by a shit ton, but still quite notably

[@gordankovac]

Thanks Dr. could you do something on tibialis anterior please? It would be awesome😊

[@Patrick-kw3on]

I love to hear this. My calves are ROASTED for 3-4 days after just 2-3 sets and I always progress workout to workout

[@iangraham-white5717]

I can usually train to concentric failure fairly easily but calves I just can't... My plan is to just get fat by dirty bulking in 3-5 years and see if that grows my calves

[@phinnphace]

I've been super setting calves (standing and seated) no or minimal rest for 5/6 sets. My calves are decent but I've plateaud 😢

[@joegasparro2395]

Dr Mike is a gun guy. I have caught onto the subliminal hints. You've mentioned John Lovell of Warrior Poet at one point and have made several gun metaphors in your many many rants. Love it. Welcome.

[@thelarko16]

Dr Mike dropping knowledge whilst smothering with a head cold. What a champ 💪🏻

[@__Mav__]

Any peer reviewed research on working out while sick?

[@thelarko16]

@__Mav__ check out the RP podcast with Dr Mike and Nick from last week about training while sick

[@Kyzer306]

Great video, appreciate the content..can we get the same again for forearms?

[@RudeBwoii]

"...I was coming to check up on you, but I'm shy...so I'm wearing a ski mask and I have a giant potato sack with a $ on it... soooo...Just kill me grandma. Fuq it, I've had a good run." - Dr. Mike, Renaissance Periodization, idgaf bout the date. Holy shieeeet! This man is a fuqing legend. 😂😂😂😂😂

[@frostedflakes55]

Thanks Dr. Mike this has been fun!!

[@DahianaSuarez-u9x]

I would love to get a training session in with you guys and Jen to really test my ability to push hard! 😬🤞🏽

[@Musashi-xz5hs]

No unless you're a high level athlete it would be a waste of his time lol

[@DahianaSuarez-u9x]

I wouldn’t say I am a high level athlete but I’d like to think I can train really hard. I’ve trained with John Meadows & a few other ifbb pros and kept up 😉🙌🏽

[@chrisgarrett9939]

Greg Doucette will make you go harder than last time! Just bring him a few ampules of test.

[@Ereyner426]

Something i got from matt wenning is tempos and pausing at the top and bottom for calves really helped me

[@ThatGoodBarbequ]

Dr Mike, I’ve tried everything. I’ve been training for 13 years, so I mean everything. Calf training very rarely yields good contractions and soreness. I’d say 90% of my calf training just causes my feet to hurt. Any thoughts on this?

[@boredpanda799]

Have you tried doing calf raises while barefoot? Helped me a ton with plantar pain.

[@CCmagee3]

Lower the weight, learn to squeeze the muscle until it almost cramps. When you are at home later that night, start squeezing your calves again until they start to cramps. Try to do it until you get a little swell. Then give them enough days off until they have zero soreness. Calves are weak and small when you start them. Don't try to ego lift. I'm 250 and sometimes I use ten pounds on the standing calf machine and do one leg calf raises. I squeeze until they almost cramps. They swell up and feel like they are gonna pop after about ten sets of twenty reps

[@ThatGoodBarbequ]

@@boredpanda799 barefoot is significantly worse for me

[@ThatGoodBarbequ]

@@CCmagee3 appreciate the response. Like I said, I’ve tried everything. I do the little Hypertrophy coach activations to cramp up my calves before starting. The amount of sessions where I am actually able to cramp them up though is very rare.

[@CCmagee3]

@@ThatGoodBarbequ Muscles like calves would be a situation where I would suggest steroids to build a lagging muscle.also, you could try Gorilla Mode Nitric and add ten grams of L Citrulline about thirty minutes before training calves. You will get a pump in whichever muscle you train that will make you want to cry. And, blood flow to any muscle gives it better nutrition, and greater mind muscle connection. Anyway, training is a life long journey. We fail only when we quit.

[@dx5soundlabs939]

I trained martial arts for almost 30 years and the amount of calf strength you build up from footwork and kicking is substantial. Even now, in weight training, my calves respond quicker than most people I know just cuz of years of muscle memory. Definitely would recommend focusing on high volume over heavy weights for calves specifically (and tbh for legs as a whole due to how leg muscle utilization differs from upper body muscle utilization).

[@notimportant6506]

How do u feel about running for calves? Especially running some hills/ sprints. feels like training calves by themselve is just boring as shit :D. Ty for all the great content, its lovely

[@ianwinegardner]

I was wondering why seated calve raises were not in the RP app. Now I know.

[@joeymak2000]

Dr! Plz do a video on neck training!!! Sincerely a weak necked white belt bjj grappler

[@JWinch]

Special specialization: Which calf exercises involve NO tension in the abdominal muscles? Background: A doctor talked to me about a medical procedure after which he recommends no exercise for at least 2 months, and not going back to normal exercise for 3-4 months. But then he did admit that doing wrist curls on a bench or something similar would be OK. So now I am trying to figure out a program of exercise that involves NO abdominal tension. Exercise selection recommendations? (in this case for calves, but I want to find all exercises for as many muscle groups as possible).

[@firemanv1]

Bodybuilding is an art where you sculpt your body the way you envision it. Copying and pasting training routines takes out all the creativity.

[@pedronietsh]

After experimenting a lot with calves over decades. What gave me the best results is treat calf training as “leg day” in terms of intensity. The less I trained with more intensity, better the results. Once a week dedicated session of only calves (literally isolated calf workout), very heavy with progressive overload, trying to become stronger and do more and more reps with heavier weight, then resting enough, yield the best sizes. Yes I tried high frequency, and everything… (And of course perfect reps, full range of motion, slow eccentric, pausing at the top, etc)

[@LeadGRuaidri]

8:05 what if the calves training equipment is too tired or has a sore head? 😢

[@NaOrbicie]

In my opinion, each series for calves should be done until failure, 3-4 series 2-3 times a week

[@ROSH1503]

I’ve been wanting this video for the last 12yrs, thanks Doc. I shall have the biggest cows ever now ❤

[@deanradley65]

You hinted at something I call ‘positive procrastination’ . When someone does something they think is good for them but they’re doing it to avoid doing the thing that really needs to be done.

[@Alex-ii3tv]

Calf raises always lead to Achilles pain for me. Ive tried slow reps with pause at bottom and full range of motion, seated, no weight, and always end up hurt

[@1Bridem]

Been waiting for this

[@drosenstroem]

I f*cking love your style Dr. Mike🙌

[@mateoedwin]

Went from never training calves to heavy weighted seated calf raises and mine blew tf up after a solid 3 months was definitely worth it - trained them 3 times a week

[@ParvParashar]

Excellent video! 🙏

[@NeerujSethi]

Can you make a video on assessing reps in reserve? How do you accurately know if you’re 3 rir on sets of 20?

[@goldenretriever7903]

Best analogies and stories in the business

[@kevincrittenden3115]

I am blind so the descriptive way you do your videos help me tremendously I am a subscriber thank you

[@onetwo8847]

I actually found training the soleus makes a HUGE difference for me, as my upper calves are naturally pretty decent but I have long legs and tiny ankles, as soon as I started training seated calf raises I felt like it made my legs look way better proportioned. Could someone tell me a solid soleus alternative tho, as my new gym doesn't have a seated calf raise machine? I tried doing them with dumbbells on my knees but that absolutely sucked, and having a bar on your knees, then doing calf raises is pretty unstable and also doesn't feel great

[@oskytel3780]

Seated calf raise seems to add larger appearance/size for me,

[@rivahkillah]

I do it with dumbbells on my knees, but I put my toes on plates to elevate them so I get a better RoM

[@benlemoi3515]

Terrific only calf machine I have at my gym is the seated 😭 guess I’ll be using the leg press for all my calf exercises