Dave Draper’s Musclebuilding Q&A

My gym now has a standing calf-raise machine; I do two sets of twelve of each: forward, inward, outward. Is that sufficient or should I be persisting ’til I want to groan? And donkey raises are a matter of someone sitting on my lower back, oui?

A set of calf work is not complete till the calves cry for mercy, the louder the better.

Yes, super-builder donkeys are as you suspect. Last time I did those was with Arnold in 1970 at Joe Gold’s Gym in Venice.

Another common question: Is it beneficial to do calf work every day? Or does one reach a point of diminishing returns by hitting them that often?

I believe calves are mostly built in the womb. However, some size can be built, but only when intense and extended efforts are made. Many sets and high reps with moderate weight, much burning and back-to-back workouts, seated and standing and any other variation of the calf-muscle action.

Diminishing returns can only be determined by the troubled yet hopeful practitioner.

Don’t be too greedy with the calves. Seems one needs dear Mom and Dad genes for those stubborn buggers to grow. Superset seated and standing for a time, try every day calf work, high reps and tons of stretching… the list goes on.

I can’t see any reason for separating quads and hams and calves. Complicates matters and serves no purpose unless you’re seeking some priority due to slow muscle response… or under someone’s canned influence.

Remember this: We don’t always get what we want. That’s not being negative or against the American dream; it’s the naked truth. But we sure do try hard, don’t we?