Hi.
Does Calf strength have any importance in powerlifting. Usually a lot of powerlifters have big strong calfes, which they may have gotten from deadlifting, conditioning and being fat. (I know I´m fat and have big calfes, and many other fat people do).
But is Calf strength something to consider working at. Does it contribute to stability in the bottom of the squat. Or at strong calfes important for knee health or any other issues.
I would say that ankle/calf flexibility/mobility are more important than actual calf strength. You need mobile ankles and flexible calfs to squat deep and really sit back on your heels.
Secondly, i would say to focus on stability as far as strength when it comes to calfs and ankles, as theres nothing like having some real shaky ankles when youre trying to walk out a massive squat.
Personally i would venture to guess its probably not something to be worried about in most peoples cases, but i also like to train everything even if it doesnt help the ‘power lifts’ directly. More of a, youre as strong as your weakest link line of thinking.
And i would say training my calfs a bunch has helped with knee pain, they definitely help absorb impact and stabalize the knee when squatting or lunging etc…
I like barefooted calf work alot for stengthing the ankles, really makes you work hard, sprinting is also good.
Your question almost seems like you might even want to try something like lunging while standing on some foam to work on balance, you might find you feel more stable and ‘secure’ if you improve your stabilizers/coordination.
Hope some of that helps even though i dont have anything to back any of that up. hahah
Yes, calf strength will affect your stability. If they’re weak your feet can collapse which lets your knees come in, and so on up the chain.
as you know the saying . a chain is a strong as his weakest link . or something so go do donkeys and train your calves too …
I seriously don’t think calves do shit for powerlifting. They help with track stuff like running and jumping and what-not.
I know that I’ve had sore calves the day after hitting PRs or trying new movements. Front squats and deadlifts, mainly. But I think that’s due to poor form and putting weight on my toes more than anything else. I have larger than average calves, I think, and it’s just because I do strongman/weightlifting stuff, not from anything powerlifts.
[quote]thirdnalga wrote:
Yes, calf strength will affect your stability. If they’re weak your feet can collapse which lets your knees come in, and so on up the chain. [/quote]
That makes sense, though. I wouldn’t worry about it.
if you use arched style benchpress …the stronger your calves the stronger your leg drive.