ShapeFit.com

Natan · Joined: 24 May 2007 Posts: 90 Location: England

Hi

I'm flat footed and thus when I try to train my calves i always find the flat of my foot hurting before I can give my calves a good hitting..that's the reason why I stay away form calves exercises, my foot base gives out before my calves ;(

what should i do?

Boss Man · Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2007 8:26 pm Post subject:

Might be what you're wearing.

Wrong footware, possible problem.

swanso5 · Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2007 12:47 am Post subject:

why even bother with calves anyway???

you'd be lucky to put an inch on them in your lifetime without "assitance"

ericajones80 · Joined: 30 Nov 2007 Posts: 6

Definitely take a look at your footwear. The previous post has a point as well. Your calves will build naturally through running and cardio, I wouldn't really worry about focusing on them.

Natan · Joined: 24 May 2007 Posts: 90 Location: England

Hi

Thnks for the advice ...Im a bit confused regarding calves training,,, r we saying that it's not point in doing calves exercises?...I have to use wisely the little time I have to go to the gym dont wanna be doing something if it's gonna waste my time

I'm quite happy with my quads ,,,it's my hams and calves that are really lagging, i thought I needeed to bring my calves up a little just to catch up bcos they're really skinny compared to my upper legs.

Can I build calves with just upper legs exercises like squats and so on which kind of hit the claves in a secondary level?...is that enough?... and if so why r my calves so skinny then?

My footwear is just normal Nike running shoes quite comfortable, I can't imagine anything wrong with my shoes... and if running shoes are not appropiate then what kind of shoes should I wear?

Since I was a kid I have been flatfooted...I used to wear then metallic things on my legs as a child but my foot stayed forever fkat ;-( ... I mean really flat flat flat as in flat!

perhaps there are some specialist shoes around that i could use?...(providing they dont cost more the earth)

many thanks everyone

swanso5 · Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2007 2:03 am Post subject:

- look you can train them but unless your really gonna hit them hard w/ high volume/intensity 5 times a week thus chewing a lot of your time than probably not...i don't rtrain them but mine are naturally big (not huge) but i have small joints (ankles/knees) so they really look bigger than they actually are (39cms)
- squats, deads and ecspecially o lifts where you rise onto your toes will do the trick
- best ham exercises are snatch grip deadlifts from a low step, glute ham raises, slide board leg curls, swissball hamstring curls, back leg elevated lunges, pistol squats
- genetically they're skinny
- when not running, jumping etc it's best to stay as close to thr floor as possible...nike free's, the ole chuck taylors etc
- you could get special shoes but yiour not really fixing the problem then...i'm not a foot expert but email eric cressey and he'll be ablev to help you

Natan · Joined: 24 May 2007 Posts: 90 Location: England

Thnks swanso5

I'm glad about the old chuck taylor's as is my favourite shoeware of all times!... perhaps is bcos my flat foot rests nicely in it. I wont really be getting any special footware at my age, it was bad enough as a child, can u imagine the stick I would get form my mates at work?...lol....lol

who is eric casseys?.. another member here?... Im sorry if im supposed to know who he is.. ;-(... but I would love the advice!

I will have a look at those hams moves u recomend.
On that note I was thinking that the romanian was the best for hams ...

I'm trying to master the romanian but I'm not there yet ... would u say that is best to stop before going all the way down in order to better hit the hams?

thnx

nitecrawler · Joined: 05 Mar 2007 Posts: 126 Location: India

eric cressey is one of the author on t-nation.com

Natan · Joined: 24 May 2007 Posts: 90 Location: England

thnx m8