Calves and Genetics

[cabeezor]

Hello Guys!

I would like to get opinions about calves and genetics.
First I would like to state I personally have been training for about 10 years, and my calves are well developed but lack the big long heads other people have (Mine are Diamond shaped).
One of my issues is my Medial and Lateral head start up high, so my Fibularis is long as compared to other humans. I have seen men and woman with amazing (AMAZING) calves, and some tell me they never lifted weights in their lives (Or trained). There calves have low starting heads, thick and just out of this world.

I have not let that discourage me, but I have over trained my calves high reps, low reps. I have even worked them out every other day, or once a week. Althought I have seen good results they just lack the size.
It seems my genetics don't allow them to grow.

Are calves really about genetics?

I can't wait to hear your opinion.

Thank you

 

[E32038]

Everything is about genetics. You will only get so big naturally. And even unnaturally. Genetics is a huge part of it. I also believe your environment plays a big part too.

 

[dylangemelli]

genetics are a huge part of everything but absolutely contribute a great deal to calves, definitely but that holds true for everything

 

[~Vision~]

This is 100% all about genetics in this lifestyle..but some guys don't know how to tap into their genetic gifts that's were you see the lack of with certain people.. you case doesn't seem to be the only lack of, but just one of those sucky instances of genetics.. I know a dude that NEVER trains calves, his are just insane, if he trained then it would be out of proportion.. then there's guys like you and I who have a limitation with something (mines chest, I have a wide pecs, and it "appears" more flat.. but at the same time my ears almost site on my traps and I'm blessed with delts..

 

[muskate]

Calves are the most genetic muscle in your body. Trying to get your calves to grow is the equivalent of trying to get the muscles in your jaw to grow.

The only way I got my calves to grow was by training them every single day. The only time I would take a day off would be when my feet would ache. Besides that - every single day. You need to keep getting blood in them.

Calves respond best to high reps since they are an endurance muscle.

 

[14RS3]

I will give my calf story. I played soccer in high school, 31 years ago!
I remember one day a friend of mine commented on my calves so it made me curious and I measured them. I weighed 120-125 at 5’6”. They measured 16.25”! I started working out a month later. I had also took all my other measurements that day.
So now, 31 years later I weigh 210, same height. Arms have gone from 12.25 to 17.25, thighs 18 to 26, chest 37 to 48, waist 28 to 33, and calves have only gone from 16.25 to 16.75!!
Just this week I pumped the calves up to a painful level and measured them, only 17.25!! Every other muscle group pumps up more than that.

 

[cabeezor]

Thank you.

I knew most of it is genetics.I hate it when people that never lifted weights and are ignorant to the fact about genetics when they say "Dude your body is awesome, but your calves...". They make me feel like I don't put enough attention to them which I do, and they agree they look impressive for vascular and symmetry they just lack the size.

Maybe Ill try training them every day.

Thanks again.

 

[Mobster]

Genetics is, of course, part of it. But equally how often do you see people really training them??

 

[~Vision~]

Genetics is, of course, part of it. But equally how often do you see people really training them??

Like you and Musk said, it really is a problematic muscle foremost and the truth is how often do people really pound it, like really activate it in the fashion that it truly responds?!?!

Like someone mentioned prior it responds to higher reps.. it's just one of those muscles that either you have it or you don't.. it's much like people that possess heavy hands, you can't teach how to naturally have a heavy punch, you can teach form and sharpen your skills but you either have heavy hands or you don't, knockout power is not something you teach... My comparison breaks down to you basically have it or you don't, but if you don't have calves you can either amplify them and enhance them but you'll never possess what some of these genetic freaks have.. that's why I only the elite are exactly the elite

 

[stevesmi]

yes just like every muscle genetics are important

usually the lankier guys have the most trouble with arms and calves. they have a long muscle

 

[~Vision~]

yes just like every muscle genetics are important

usually the lankier guys have the most trouble with arms and calves. they have a long muscle

So true.. my little brother is a very short Stout little dude, he's like a fire hydrant.. we don't understand why he's so short in the family, but because of his size and the length of his arms this kid can press some serious weight.. he's an ex College wrestler.. and I have literally witnessed the response with the same training protocols that he has went through with his fellow teammates, and the results in the end.. body type is huge in any type of physical training.. their physical trainer was a genius, and of course their training regimen is far different from what we do but nonetheless it was extremely taxing and very very intense.. and the response from particular body types to the next was extremely different but yet the same training methods were employed..

 

[Masonic Bodybuilder]

Calves are definitely genetic. I have monster calves and have never really trained them much or very hard.

 

[E32038]

Calves are definitely genetic. I have monster calves and have never really trained them much or very hard.

You're one of the lucky ones. I don't have monster calves, but I have decent ones. I attribute that to years of soccer and riding my bike growing up.

 

[Eddie Haskell]

By this time, all of us are familiar with the story of Arnold's calves. So if he expereicened great difficulty with his calves as he surely did, then none of us should feel badly about our own calves.

 

[MajesticRedneck]

Try being really fat(like morbidly obese) for a few years. You'll have uuuge calves.

Dude at my gym has to have 18 inch calves, no joke and he's not on gear. He's about 200 now, but was close to 500 before he started losing weight.

 

[Eddie Haskell]

Try being really fat(like morbidly obese) for a few years. You'll have uuuge calves.

Dude at my gym has to have 18 inch calves, no joke and he's not on gear. He's about 200 now, but was close to 500 before he started losing weight.

Someone at your gym has lost nearly 300 pounds. That's quite remarkable. Kudos to him!

 

[kckcjl94]

my dad is 70, never been to a gym in his life, spends 90% of his time in bed or on the couch and has low testosterone and every time he goes to the doctor they examine his calves and can't believe how large and muscular they are. i'm the same way, never done a calf exercise, my t was 78 so crazy low and they were always big, this side of the family all have larger lower bodies. of course, i wish i had smaller ones hah. everyone wants what they don't have.