A Few More Noob Questions about HGM - JP Fitness Forums

Scapegote · 01-30-2006, 03:10 AM

Hey, first of all thanks for all the responses to my last post about the alternatives. It was a big help when I went back to the gym. I have just a couple more that I was wondering about. I don't know what I'd have done in the days before the internet, it's a huge help/motivation to have the ability to log on and ask questions and have people answer you. So thanks again.

My main question is about the seated calf raise, does anybody have any ideas about how to do this or an alternate to do in a gym that doesn't have steps in the lifting area. I've looked around and haven't really seen a suitable replacement, I used a couple plates when I was there the last couple times. I don't know if I'm not getting enough ROM or using enough weights but I really don't feel anything in my calves (I do feel a bit in the bottom of my foot). I have a uneasy feeling that my form is bad, any ideas?

The other question is about recovery time. The first couple times I went and worked out I could barely walk for a couple days, this last time I went I was surprised to be able to walk the next day (I was sore, but not nearly as much) I have begun stretching after my post workout shower, but didn't expect a dramatic change. I guess I'm just wondering what your personal experience's are with recovery time, I'm trying to figure out what I should expect.

Edit: I just remembered another question, I have no problems doing 15 crunches every set, should I try doing a weight added crunch or upping the number I do? All the others when I'm able to do 15 reps for each set I up the weight the next workout, was just wondering what to do for this part of the workout.

Thanks again, you guys rock!!

Barry

gobbla · 01-30-2006, 03:54 AM

#1. if the benches have steps on the back for spotters you could take up some dumbells up there to do single leg calf raises. Or you could always use the leg press\hack squat machine.

#2. a lack of soreness is a good thing. the only thing soreness tells you is that you've done something that you're not used to. if it last more than a couple of weeks then chances are something's wrong! don't confuse a lack of workout quality with a lack of soreness.

#3. add resistance.

Mahler · 01-30-2006, 09:30 AM

For seated, use hex dumbbells and position your feet on the handles. Just remember to wipe when you are finished.

Mahler

buster · 01-30-2006, 11:17 PM

1.Why do they have to be seated? If your gym has a leg press machine apply proper amount of weight and press only with toes and ball of foot
2 You don't mention supps, creatine helps alot with my recovery
3 Try doing a circuit of ab exercises, 4,5,6 different exercises hitting different areas if the abs.
Hope this helps. Good Luck. Buster

Cynic · 01-31-2006, 05:12 AM

For seated calf raises, can a machine do the trick? My gym has an isolation machine for seated calf raises. It's actually pretty tough, because I use about 250lbs on a standing and it gets tough on this machine with just two 45 pounders.

ichbinba · 01-31-2006, 09:28 AM

seated and standing will work (primarily) two different muscles so it's good to include both versions. when you're seated the gastroc is not as activated because it crosses the knee and the tension is taken off of it. seated promarily hits the solius

Scapegote · 01-31-2006, 10:27 PM

Hey,

Thanks a(nother) ton. I hit the gym again on Monday and I'm either going tommorow or thursday depending on if the tightness behind my knee goes away overnight.

FWIW, on monday I ended up doing standing calf raises, and I definately felt it a ton more than the seated, but I was in fact wondering if it did work different parts of the calf.(so thanks for the info)

Mahler, I tried that with the hex dumbells but they don't come far enough off the ground to really let me get the stretch going down, it's probably better than nothing (maybe once I grow strong enough to even get some of the larger ones off the rack).

I also added a ten pound plate to my crunches and still easily completed 15 rep sets, although I definately felt more burn. I'm not anxious to add anything to this workout really (and I'm not worried yet about my abs) so I'll probably stick to just the crunch.

As for supps, I just really started lifting and I've never been all that open to the idea of supplements. And honestly I don't know that I have a good reason, I just remember it getting a pretty bad rap when I was in high school (4-5 years ago), so that's stuck with me.

Anyway, thanks again, it seems like the workouts are here to stay this time, and a major part of that is the annoyances and "lost" feelings that I had in the gym the last times I went have been mostly taken care of by this forum. It's been 3 weeks of eating clean and 2 weeks of working out and I already feel 500% better every day. So thanks.

Barry

diamondpete · 01-31-2006, 11:16 PM

If the hex DB did not work for you, you could easily make a stair. Take a couple of 2 x 4s and make and "H" with cross part of the "H" being the part you stand on and the vertical line sof the H made with two
2 x 4s so you are high enough. Just big enough to be stable and should be small enough to easily carry to the gym