I feel gains in the rest of my body but my calves look like twigs and it looks weird to me. What do you guys do to bulk your calves? FYI - I injured my back a few weeks back(probably herniated disc) although I've made good recovery and started going back the gym again, but I'm laying off any exercise in which there's spinal compression.
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I can't seem to bulk my calves
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speed dawg
Master Don Juan
If you can manage to remember to do it, try this. Walk on your tip-toes as much as possible. Usually I only do it at night around the house. If I remember I do it in the morning. Try to make it a habit, obviously don't go crazy with it. Just when you're at home alone and you're doing something, just try to do it.
Calves are like forearms, they are accustomed to continuous use. You have to really push them. Problem is, you can't really do any huge weights required to grow them like other muscles. And a herniated disc further complicates things, I know, I had surgery for one 3 months ago.
Besides the tip-toe deal, I do standing calf raises now, bodyweight only. Like you, I don't lift heavy weights that compress the spine. I like to do alot of explosive partials too, from the floor. Hold the flexed position for a couple of seconds. There are ways to overload muscles besides just bluntly lifting heavy weight. I don't go to the gym, but if I did, I'd do the seated calve raise machine also to get some weight training involved.
Obviously there are other ways, but this is for a guy with a disc injury.
Calves are like forearms, they are accustomed to continuous use. You have to really push them. Problem is, you can't really do any huge weights required to grow them like other muscles. And a herniated disc further complicates things, I know, I had surgery for one 3 months ago.
Besides the tip-toe deal, I do standing calf raises now, bodyweight only. Like you, I don't lift heavy weights that compress the spine. I like to do alot of explosive partials too, from the floor. Hold the flexed position for a couple of seconds. There are ways to overload muscles besides just bluntly lifting heavy weight. I don't go to the gym, but if I did, I'd do the seated calve raise machine also to get some weight training involved.
Obviously there are other ways, but this is for a guy with a disc injury.
Hey whats the story behind your disc injury? I got mine from improperly doing stiff leg deadlifts several weeks back. Didn't go to a doctor but feeling much better in the last few days. I'm hoping in a few months I can resume squats.
speed dawg
Master Don Juan
In a nutshell, I herniated it playing softball. It was kinda like a last straw sort of thing for me anyway. I had gotten out of shape and gained weight and I was trying to act like I had the body of an 18 year old. The diagnosis, confusion, and surgery info I have...well, I couldn't put it into one post.
Go see an orthopaedic surgeon or a neurosurgeon, get an MRI, and let them advise you. I'd lay off the weights, you're dealing with a serious and potentially life changing issue. I know what you're probably thinking, and I'm just telling you what I would have done if I could do it all over again. I hurt myself worse because, one, I kept lifting through pain, and two, I didn't know what was wrong with me. It's just not worth it to take a chance, strictly because you think you need to maintain your physique for a week. Just walk and do bodyweight lifts that don't involve bending or rounding of the back, until you get a doctor's advice.
Go see an orthopaedic surgeon or a neurosurgeon, get an MRI, and let them advise you. I'd lay off the weights, you're dealing with a serious and potentially life changing issue. I know what you're probably thinking, and I'm just telling you what I would have done if I could do it all over again. I hurt myself worse because, one, I kept lifting through pain, and two, I didn't know what was wrong with me. It's just not worth it to take a chance, strictly because you think you need to maintain your physique for a week. Just walk and do bodyweight lifts that don't involve bending or rounding of the back, until you get a doctor's advice.
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