I want calves!

[dietcoke]

Does anyone know any good exercises to tone my calf muscles. I'm trying really hard to build a bum (not easy) and now I want to build my calves. I don't naturally build muscle in my bum or calves (tend to build my thighs instead unfortunately).

Any ideas you could give me would be greatly appreciated.

[milkyway]

You can have some of mine! Thanks to my father, I have inherited HUGE calves... but fortunately, my sister inherited even larger ones It's a real struggle to find boots that will zip up easily.

But seriously... I think the calf muscle is really hard to build, probably one of the hardest places on your body to increase in size.

I reckon cycling would help -- cyclists have great legs! And doing calf raises where you stand on your toes and hold for thirty seconds is a good starting point. Can hold weights in your hands as this gets easier.

You probably need weight machines at the gym targeting that specific muscle area to see a real improvement, though.

[dietcoke]

Bugger. I can't afford the gym.

Thanks I'll take your calves. Now if I could only find someone to take my hips.

[zeedeveelgirl]

Depends on your body composition as to how easy it is to build up your calves!

Dietcoke - definitely give the calf raises a whirl... find a step or stand on a phone book or something so that your heel is hanging off the edge of the step/book and raise up on your toes and then bring your heels down as low as you can. Should feel a burning in your calves

[talia11]

My husband (who was a physical training instructor in the army for 9 years) says calf raises.
Stand on something that is raised (ledge) so feet are half hanging over, lower you heels down as far as you can then raise onto your toes and hold.

[KimE]

Make sure you don't rush the exercise and when you are lowering down do it in a slow controlled manner so you work the muscle.

Here is a site that where you can choose a specific muscle to work.

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/exercises.htm

[dietcoke]

Thanks so much everyone. Seems you all have pretty much the same ideas. I'll give it a go and let you know how it goes.

[Butterfly_Dawn]

or if you're not into the calf raises, cycling is good too with the addition of being good for your thighs as well, although I'm from chunky leg stock and will never have those wonderful slim sexy calves that look good in high boots - just big muscley ones

[SarahC]

Walking, walking and more walking! I never had any calves until I started uni and had to walk from one class to the other on the other side of campus Then I started walking to and from uni, and also walked on weekends.

Calf raises are good as well of course Even better if you hang onto some weights while you're doing them.

[Chelle]

what about kick around a soccer ball, squats, up & down stairs, bike if you have one