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Folic Acid – Is Your Body Using It Or Is It Benign?

First off, congratulations if you understood my pun.  Folic acid or Folate is also known as vitamin B9.  The name ...

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What Is The Fastest Way to Lose 10lbs of Fat?

The first thing to discuss here is what it really is to lose 10lbs of pure fat. Most people lose ...

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Overtraining? Signs You May Need to Take a Rest Day

When is rest for the wicked but a necessity for gains? We let the science do the talking...

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Shopping Guidelines: Fruits & Veggies

Grocery shopping with health and fitness in mind can be a hassle. That is why in order to to minimize ...

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Pain Versus Gain: What is Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness, & do we need it to Grow?

Most hard working bodybuilders, from rank beginner to seasoned pro, will experience some degree of training-related muscle soreness. Whether experienced ...

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How to Ensure Consistent Progression

Worried about overtraining? MI40 Top Gun Bryce Bahm is here with some simple steps you can take to byass the ...

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Bent-Knee Calf Movements


Guidelines for all Bent-Knee Calf movements
(unless specifically stated otherwise)

  • place the ball of the foot in contact with the pad / platform / ground
  • medium stance unless stated otherwise (hips, knees and ankles inline)
  • keep knees stable throughout (when standing, lock out quads and contract the glutes)
  • ensure full ankle flexion and extension (not foot)
  • only come up from the bottom when the tibialis anterior at the front contracts
  • focus on driving the weight through the big toe (not via the outsides of the feet)
  • when you think you’re up all the way, go a little further (max height); aim for a huge peak contraction and really fight for those inches, bring the heels up as high as physically possible.
  •  
    * Consciously think also about pulling the knees / ankles together throughout (inward ‘intent’).

 

Seated Calf Raises

    Exercise Specific:

  • some assistance with the last few reps (pulling with forearms) is acceptable, though use common sense to determine if you’re just being too ambitious with the weight and adjust accordingly next time if so.

 

Squatting Bodyweight Calf Raises

    Exercise Specific:

  • hold onto something for support, then squat down until the bottom position is reached
  • ensure centre of gravity is over the toes
  • remaining in this position throughout, raise up onto the tips of the toes at the top
  • attempt to momentarily touch heels to the ground at the bottom if ankle flexibility allows (with no compromising of form); this may not be possible for some but not others – just work within the range achievable with perfect execution.