Jim,
Is there anywhere in a standard 5/3/1 template that you think would be best to add some calf work? Or, I’m open to changin templates too if you have one that specifically incorporates calf work. I think calf strength is the limiting factor in my leg drive for the bench press.
Thanks bunches
Just do it whenever you want. Calf work isn’t going to affect recovery of anything. But please realize, your calves are almost certainly not the limiting factor of your bench press. That’s so farfetched that I’m wondering if you’re joking…
I know this sounds strange… But my calves have grown from squats and powercleans more than any fancy machine made. In fact I don’t even train them with anything else. Waste of time if you ask me.
[quote]dez6485 wrote:
I think calf strength is the limiting factor in my leg drive for the bench press.
[/quote]
lol
[quote]dez6485 wrote:
I think calf strength is the limiting factor in my leg drive for the bench press.
[/quote]
No it’s not, unless you’ve been in a wheel chair for 20 years. And you can do it whenever, but you want to be awesome instead of doing calves do weighted stair climbs, or sprints. Or hill sprints too. Weighted stair climbs for me(multiple sets of up and down 9 stories) blows up my calves…and everything else.
I’ve been doing BBB for a while. I do deadlifts as assistance on squat day and vice versa. I superset calves with my deadlift and squat assistance work (5x10). I do standing calf raises for 30 reps and then hold for 10 seconds on the 30th rep. I also change toe position from pointed in, pointed out, and straight forward. All of this is unweighted.
It hasn’t affected my bench positively or negatively.
Id feel comfortable guaranteeing you your calves arnt holding back back your bench. There are two days that are lower body dominate in a 4 day 531 template, pick either of those days. Deadlift day is where I put them as a sort of “posterior chain” day, then I throw in some abs. Im sure it wont matter if its on either day. Im sure it wouldnt matter even if it was on upper body days.
This thread is funny.
Iso-hold calf raises are the key to a big bench. Work up to 30-60 seconds for 3-4 sets, 3 times a week and watch your bench improve. Every big presser uses these but rarely talk about them.
Calf raises are as important as overhead squats - key to any true strength program.
Holy crap. I feel like I’ve been reading the Then Onion on this one… do you jump rope without using your calves? If so, please explain how–I feel like my excessive calf work has been holding back my sex life.
[quote]crowdhater wrote:
I know this sounds strange… But my calves have grown from squats and powercleans more than any fancy machine made. In fact I don’t even train them with anything else. Waste of time if you ask me. [/quote]
yip
[quote]Jim Wendler wrote:
Iso-hold calf raises are the key to a big bench. Work up to 30-60 seconds for 3-4 sets, 3 times a week and watch your bench improve. Every big presser uses these but rarely talk about them.
Calf raises are as important as overhead squats - key to any true strength program. [/quote]
Please someone tell me if this is serious.
[quote]jasmincar wrote:
[quote]Jim Wendler wrote:
Iso-hold calf raises are the key to a big bench. Work up to 30-60 seconds for 3-4 sets, 3 times a week and watch your bench improve. Every big presser uses these but rarely talk about them.
Calf raises are as important as overhead squats - key to any true strength program. [/quote]
Please someone tell me if this is serious.[/quote]
I remember jim writing:
“If there is doubt, there is no doubt”