Trainer Tip – Calves in 8 minutes
If working your calves for eight minutes sounds easy, I have news for you. It’s hard! Grab two heavy weights, set your timer for 8 minutes, and do 25 calf raises without stopping. Rest for 15 to 30 seconds and repeat until the timer goes off. You should do at least four sets of twenty-five. If your calves are not screaming by rep number 20 on your last set, then your weights were too light and you need to start over.
When I began doing calf raises, all I could handle was a pair of 8 pound dumbbells. Today I used 20 pounds dumbbells for a total of forty pounds. Next time I’m grabbing the 25 pound weights.
The other day my mom came over and exclaimed, “Oh my gosh! You’ve got calves!” Best compliment of the day!
I love working out my calves and my biceps! The squats and push-ups, those are for my body. But the smaller muscles, those are all for ME!!! 🙂 Can you describe how you do calf-raises with weights? I’m sort of lucky, I have a machine I can use, but I do like to workout in the garage sometimes. Any tips would be appreciated! Thanks, Tom.
I use two dumbbells, one in each hand. When you pick up the dumbbells, swat to pick them up, butt close to the ground, chest out. A lot of people bend over with their back, which is wrong and can tweak your back. Then, using your quads to get up, stand up straight but don’t lock out your knees. Your arms should be at your sides; the weights just dangling. You don’t want to move your arms, wrists or shoulders. The only body parts you will use in this exercise are your abs and your calves. Keep your core tight so you don’t lose your balance. With feet parallel, raise up with your toes and keep the contraction at the top for 1-2 seconds. These are called calf raises. Raise up and down, pausing at the top. I’ll usually do two sets of 25 with my feet parallel, one with toes pointed together and heels out, and another set with my heels together and toes out. This enables different parts of my calves to be worked. Hope this helps!
I get it now. Thanks!