Standing Calf Raises

[Lazy Smurf]

I was just wondering how much weight would become dangerous? I'm 175lbs. 5'11". Decent shape... average...

I was doing sets of 10 at 775 lbs. ... Standing Calf raises... call me stupid now... what kind of damage can this cause?

[chicanerous]

I was just wondering how much weight would become dangerous? I'm 175lbs. 5'11". Decent shape... average...

I was doing sets of 10 at 775 lbs. ... Standing Calf raises... call me stupid now... what kind of damage can this cause?
Standing barbell? I'd switch to a machine.

Lots of weight is normal. Lots and lots of weight can be dangerous.

Try doing them on a block and staying in the bottom position for 10-15 seconds between every rep in order to complete negate the stretch reflex which is extremely powerful with the calves.

[SolidD33]

Any large amount of weight done with free weights can be potentially dangerous. With 775lbs., the only thing you should worry about is if the bar is rated for that much weight and if your core strength is up to the challenge. Also, many people realize calves can handle a lot of weight but fail to do full reps, Make Sure you're doing full reps. I do them on the smith machine since my gym lacks a machine for them. Usually resting 5sec. at the bottom of each rep.

[verymetaldan]

If you're not doing it on a block (so your heels go below your toes) then you are cheating...

the most dangerouse thing about the weight is that if your core strength is too low you mite compress and damage your spine. Do them on one leg with less weight.

[Lazy Smurf]

I'm doing it on a machine for it and my heels go way lower than my toes... I didn't know about having to wait between reps though. I'm trying to increase power though rather than bulk up. Dunno if this would help in increasing my vertical or not though.
Is it dangerous if it's bursting blood vessels on my shoulders though? I have bruises on each shoulder after I'm done working out..

[jan]

Standing calf raise machines suck. They put wayy too much pressure on your lower back, and it's wayyy too easy to injure yourself, compared to using a barbell.

[SolidD33]

I'm trying to increase power though rather than bulk up. Dunno if this would help in increasing my vertical or not though.
Is it dangerous if it's bursting blood vessels on my shoulders though? I have bruises on each shoulder after I'm done working out..
If you're trying to increase your explosive power, then not resting at the bottom of reps is fine. The bruising is to be expected unless you're using a pad on the bar. My shoulders get all nice and bruised up as well, but it quickly goes away.

[Lazy Smurf]

Standing calf raise machines suck. They put wayy too much pressure on your lower back, and it's wayyy too easy to injure yourself, compared to using a barbell.

Just curious o.O How the hell would I stay balanced with that much weight anyways if I were to not use a machine?? I am after all on a block with only my toes on it...

[chicanerous]

Just curious o.O How the hell would I stay balanced with that much weight anyways if I were to not use a machine?? I am after all on a block with only my toes on it...
Normally you wedge yourself between the barbell which is racked and the block on the ground. You then do your calf raise, sliding the barbell against the rack.

http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/Gastrocnemius/BBStandingCalfRaise.html

[NightHunter]

Or go use the leg press machine :-P

[jan]

I use seated calf raises first, then do standing ones afterwards. That way I exhaust me calves enough for them to never be able to withstand more than 300lbs.