The calf muscles of your lower legs contribute to your endurance and appearance. Maintaining strong and attractive calf muscles entails regular lifting and extension exercises that work both the inner and outer muscles of your lower legs....
The calf contains two main muscles: the gastrocnemius and the soleus. The gastroc muscle, in the upper part of your calf, provides the nice cut in a healthy calf. The soleus, though less obvious, works with the gastroc and the Achilles tendon to...
When looking to build calf muscles, first determine what type of equipment you're going to use. Free weights, body weight and exercise machines can all provide appropriate exercises to sufficiently train calf muscles.
The primary function of the calf is to extend the ankle. It is made up mainly of the gastrocnemius and the soleus muscles, which merge and attach to the heel, forming the Achilles tendon. The gastrocnemius starts above the knee and extends the...
Your calves consist of two separate muscles—your gastrocnemius and your soleus. Your gastrocnemius is the upper, larger of the two and crosses both your knee and ankle joint. Your soleus, smaller and below the gastrocnemius, only crosses...
The calves are made up of two major muscles: the gastrocnemius and the soleus. The gastrocnemius gives your calves a rounded, defined appearance, and the soleus defines your calves along the sides of your legs. These muscles should be trained...
When the climate or occasion calls for shorts, there’s no hiding small, skinny calves. The calf muscle is composed of the diamond shaped gastrocnemius, which gives the calf muscle its distinct form, and the soleus, a wide mass of muscle that...
The calf muscle, otherwise known as the gastrocnemius, is a small muscle located on the backside of the lower leg, behind the tibia and fibula. Although small, its job of allowing the foot to extend by activating the ankle joint is of great...
Calves may be the most neglected muscle group in fitness. An all too common sight in most gyms is the big, muscular bodybuilder, with a huge upper body, and small spindly calves. More than any other body part, impressive calves show that you take...
The calf is made up of the large, double-headed gastrocnemius muscle and the smaller underlying soleus. Both of these muscles work together to raise the heel, known as plantar flexion, and carry the body in a vertical plane. You see the...
The calf muscle is actually a pair of muscles known as the gastrocnemius and the soleus. The gastrocnemius is the visible muscle at the back of the lower leg that forms a teardrop shape when well-developed. The soleus lies underneath the...
When walking normally, your heels lift off the ground while pressure is applied to the balls and toes of your feet. As your heel raises, the calf muscle tightens, strengthening the muscle through repetition. While this motion can be repeated while...
The three primary calf muscles are the gastrocnemius, soleus and tibialis anterior. Each muscle has a specific function. The gastrocnemius is the major calf muscle and extends from the ankle to the knee. When developed, it is can be seen along the...
Women can build big calf muscles using free weights and weight machines. Your calf includes your gastrocnemius, the upper, horseshoe-shaped muscle and your soleus, the lower, longer muscle. Train your calf muscles one day per week toward the end...
Your calf muscles working with the rest of your leg and hip muscles, help produce explosive and fast movement. Although exercise equipment can help you increase the size of your calves, you do not need it to build muscles. Vern Gambetta, director...
The calf muscles are located on the lower back part of the legs between the knees and heels. They consist of the gastrocnemius which is the upper part and the soleus which is the lower part. The main function of the calf muscles is to lift the...
Your calves are a muscle group in the back of your lower leg. The two main muscles that are your calves are the gastrocnemius, sometimes abbreviated as gastroc, and the soleus. The gastrocnemius is the larger muscle, the soleus is smaller and sits...
To effectively build up your calves, you first need to understand that there are actually several muscles that must be targeted. The three primary muscles of the calves are the tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius and soleus. Each of these muscles...
Your calf muscles are the muscles located below the knee comprising of two major muscle groups in the area: the inner and outer calf muscles. The inner muscles include the gastrocnemius, flexor digitorum longus and soleus muscles. Since calf...
Your calf muscles consist of two distinct sections: the upper calf or gastrocnemius muscle and the lower or soleus muscle. These two muscles work together in many activities such as running, jumping, standing on tip-toe and operating the pedals in...
The calf, or gastrocnemius, serves as the main muscle for flexing and lifting the heel of your foot. The muscle runs from behind your knee down to the Achilles tendon, which connects directly to your heel. Unlike the larger upper-leg muscles, your...
Your calves are made up on a large muscle near the surface called the gastrocnemius and a smaller muscle that runs beneath it called the soleus. The gastrocnemius works with your other leg muscles and hips to accelerate and decelerate your body...
Back pain shouldn't stop you from strengthening your legs, provided you choose your workouts carefully. Regular exercise is an important part of the healing process after a back injury, and many of the activities recommended for back patients work...
The calf consist of two major parts--the gastrocnemius and the soleus. The gastroc, as it is commonly called, is the upper part of the calf and the soleus is in the lower region. If you are trying to beef up this area of your body, performing...
Strong, shapely calves are a positive attribute for both men and women. If you are on a quest for larger calves, perform calf exercises with heavy resistance. According to the American College of Sports Medicine, in order for a muscle to increase...
The muscle below the calf is called the soleus. This muscle is used to hold posture and is a slow-twitch muscle. This muscle can only be targeted with one exercise and responds best to volume training.
The gastrocnemius and soleus are the two muscles that make up your calf muscle in your lower leg. Even though your calves are used every time you take a step, many people have calves that are underdeveloped compared to the rest of their bodies....
If you are committed to building your three main leg muscle groups, the quadriceps, the hamstring and the calf, a few tips to accompany your workout can be beneficial. What's needed for building your leg muscles is not limited to the weight room,...
The primary calf muscle, also known as the gastrocnemius muscle, is the largest muscle in the leg below the knee. It functions to flex and abduct the heel, and aides in nearly every single lower-body movement. Building calf muscle is not...
