Hi There

Lisaswhere · 06-Mar-08, 02:40 AM

Just stumbled onto your site while researching ways to carve out my calves. They have always been undefined no matter what I've done... however, Ive noticed that they are looking quite a bit more shapeless than before.
I am a flight attendant. I work for a private jet company and I travel 18 days out of the month. There are times when I am just too exhausted to work out and there are times when the opportunity is just not available.
Over the past 10-15 years, fitness has been a priority of mine.
I have weight trained and participated in spin classes pretty consistently over the last 5 years.
So, needless to say I am struggling with this adjustment.
If anyone has any ideas on calf moves that can be done in my hotel room, or even if there is one cardio routine that is better for the calves than another ~ any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks

**Lady C** · 06-Mar-08, 07:23 AM

Calves are mostly genetic. I think with lots of reps of heavy sets will give them some shape. I would try like 5 sets of 12-15 reps of heavy weights.

As far as the hotel room goes, I'm at a loss for suggestions.

06-Mar-08, 09:22 AM

Lisaswhere.

Ditto Lady C's comments above. I'll refrain from giving you calves' development training specifics because that would be like like a bald headed man trying to tell you how to grow hair.

But while you are locked up in your hotel room, try a parallel squat wall sit with your back against the wall with your feet on a thick telephone book and alternating between heels elevated (a toe raise) and toes elevated. Multiple sets of holds short of failure with short recovery rest periods in between.

Thank you for flying DiscussFitness and have a great day!

**LiftGirl** · 06-Mar-08, 11:16 AM

Hi Lisa and welcome to DF! Have you thought about purchasing some resistance bands for when you're traveling? They are light and small and good for hotel rooms. You can do a wide variety of exercises with them as well.

Lisaswhere · 06-Mar-08, 03:54 PM

Thanks for your responses... I can def do the squat/telephone book thing with raises. That's a great suggestion.

LiftGirl... I have the resist-a-bans and several in-room-dvd's. I do everything I can... and luckily, many hotels come equipped with a small fitness center.

Thanks for your comments

07-Mar-08, 03:33 AM

Hi Lisa and welcome. Well developed calves on a woman are dead sexy! (sorry, couldn't resist -- but it is true!).

If you are staying at a hotel with several floors then you could use the stairs to get a good workout. Do a mini toe raise with each step. Not sure if I can describe it but I'll try: Hold onto the railing for safety. Step up one step but only put your toes on the edge of the step and have your heel depressed (lower than the top of the step). As you straighten your leg to move up the step also raise on your toes so your heel is now in the full upright and locked position (dang, I gotta do something about my weird sense of humor). Repeat for as many steps as you have in the building. If you are staying in a hotel with 4 floors, guaranteed next day your calves will feel it!

Lisaswhere · 07-Mar-08, 12:07 PM

Thanks IronMan... will try this ~ I also live on the third floor of my apartment building .. so this will come in handy when Im home too

**maverick** · 07-Mar-08, 01:01 PM

Jump rope, works wonders.

**LiftGirl** · 07-Mar-08, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IronMan

(dang, I gotta do something about my weird sense of humor).

Please don't! I got the joke and thought it was funny. Of course I have a weird sense of humor too.

07-Mar-08, 02:05 PM

Another thought in response to your original question - post up a photo of you in super-tight Daisy Duke blue jean cut-offs so all the calves development resident expert guys here can properly advise you in the right direction.

Lisaswhere · 07-Mar-08, 03:19 PM

Haha... yeah ~ daisy dukes... don't believe I've ever .... well ~ maybe in the early 90's ~ eeekk.
Thanks for the advice, seriously. I never thought of jumping rope... and that's something I can throw in my suitcase...

**maverick** · 07-Mar-08, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lisaswhere

I never thought of jumping rope... and that's something I can throw in my suitcase...

That's what I do when I have to travel for work... which I suspect is about 1/100th of the time that you have to travel.

**.V.** · 07-Mar-08, 04:30 PM

jump rope, running, stair climbing, and of course either very high volume bodyweight calf raises...or low volume heavy weighted calf raises.

When I had a dedicated leg day I did two specific calf exercises and got no where. Now that I do full body workouts I just do squats, deads, and leg presses to work my calves...and they are doing just as well...or at least no worse as before.

But if you really gotta specifically work them....the above suggestions will do them just fine.

NumberSixx · 07-Mar-08, 07:47 PM

Welcome to the site Lisa, I am a newbie to DF as well. There are lots of info in here and friendly ppl that are willing to help out.

**minime** · 12-Mar-08, 03:25 PM

welcome lisa!

I don't know much about making calves more developed, but I can say that my calves hurt the most after a session of high rep box jumps! Get a box or bench that is stable, jump on, jump off.. repeat!

Also jumping rope is great, if I am away from home/gym I will carry a jumprope with me.