uneven calf strength

Cakes

New member

• Jan 20, 2004

• #1

Any training tips to help me with this?
I do one-legged standing/sitting raises but my right calf always comes out on top so to speak.

I do a lot of cardio and I notice I tend to favor my right side when running, etc. if I've worked my left leg harder. My right calf has always be able to out-lift my left so how can I get it to catch up?

 

crankin'stein

New member

• Jan 21, 2004

• #2

I would say there is no need to really get the other one to catch up...... Most people would have one arm stronger then the other, maybe one leg stronger, etc..... It shouldn't be a big deal.... Is it causing any real problems for you??

I suppose you could train each calve seperately, and use heavy weight and low reps for the weaker side, and use higher reps with lighter weight with the stronger side. Doing that for a while may allow the other calve to catch up....

 

Bently

MuscleChemistry Registered Member

• Jan 21, 2004

• #3

I would agree that it is natural to have one side stronger than the other for any bodypart. I don't think it is possible to ever evenly match them. However, If you want to close that gap and quickly, I would take a month or so and train only the weak calf, do not train the strong side and see how quickly it catches up.
KR

 

mark mcgwire

New member

• Jan 21, 2004

• #4

KR & Crank are right almost everyone has got one side that's stronger than the other. Unless there's a noticeable size difference between your calves I wouldn't worry about it much. But if you're really concerned about one side being stronger than try what KR & Crank suggested.

 

L

LaMastaKilla

New member

• Jan 21, 2004

• #5

it sucks but all too familure... don't worry about it...

 

GetnBigr

New member

• Jan 22, 2004

• #6

KidRok said:

I would agree that it is natural to have one side stronger than the other for any bodypart. I don't think it is possible to ever evenly match them. However, If you want to close that gap and quickly, I would take a month or so and train only the weak calf, do not train the strong side and see how quickly it catches up.
KR

Click to expand...

I like this approach

I wouldn't worry too much about it if they are the same size

 

Cakes

New member

• Jan 22, 2004

• #7

My main concern with this is that all my injuries have been to my right (stronger) leg. I recently pulled that hamstring bad enough to render me useless for about 3 days.

I realize everyone has a "stronger" side but my right calf is larger and has more definition. Just doesn't seem normal for someone who's trained for the last decade+.

But, thanks for the training tips. I will absolutely try heavy/few reps for the left.

 

BStrongBwell*

New member

• Apr 5, 2004

• #8

Are you a big guy, like 230 or better? The heavier you are, the more you work your calves just walking around. You might have a way of walking where you push off with that foot more than the other. Or, if you have a job where some kind of repetitious motion makes your right calf do more work. If that's the case, all the training focus in the world probably won't add up to much change for you. Maybe take a look at how you use those muscles day to day instead.

 

Bignick

New member

• Apr 6, 2004

• #9

i have pretty large calves, i had and ACL reconstruction done and after rehabing my leg i noticed that my healthy calve was still stronger even though size was restored, i just started doing more intense lighter weight instead of strength training and once it caught up i then could start strength training with it

 

franconian

New member

• Apr 6, 2004

• #10

i do believe it may have something to do with length as one leg is slightly longer than the other also an ortho told me humans tend to favor one side when walking and running etc how bout when your toes fall asleep on the elliptical only on my left side lol