Problem with calves......

SemperFi 0321

New member
Monday was leg day. Did squats, box squats, leg presses and calf work. Normally I do calves on the leg press machine, and to be honest, I know that it doesn't work them very well. There is no edge on this machine to get a good stretch in the calf. So, yesterday I used a squat rack for calf work. Put some weight on my shoulders and stepped onto a block. Up, down, up, down, etc. Got some GOOD stretches........really deep. Today, I CAN'T WALK!!! I have been struggling all day to walk around. For some reason it kills me to straighten out my legs at the knee. I have to walk around with my knees bent and up on my toes. Could this just be soreness from finally WORKING the calves? They do feel sore when resting, but sore isn't the word when I try to walk "correctly". And Thursday I have deads.........I don't want to have sore calves when I'm on deads.......anything I can do to ease the pain quicker? Taking ibuprofren and using ice, but I'm looking for some miracle cures here........surely you vets have some advice on this one........

Thanks

Semper Fi
 
I dont know, but I get great results doing calf presses on the leg press machine. Its my base exercise for my calves.

You might have over stretched them and caused a bit of an injury, or you worked them very well. Maybe I will try your exercise, hehehe.
 
I've heard that a possible quick remedy involves going from icing them to right away to soaking them in so hot water, something to do with the rapid temperature changes your muscles have to get used to. For whatever reason I've nly heard it used with legs . .

Load up on the advil and good luck!
 
Keep moving. That's probably THE best way to keep soreness down. You should see this yourself. Lay around for a while, get up, and it hurts like hell, but once you get up and walk around for a while, it's not really that bad. Active recovery works great.

Lots of stretching is another thing that can help. Stretch the gastroc and soleus.

Massage works as well. Luckily that's a muscle you can easily massage on your own. Perhaps use a rolling pin and roll up your leg. Just be gentle!

Some icing could work if it's really bad. Might be worth a shot.

Skip the ibuprofen if you can.
 
The leg press machine at my gym doesn't have a lower edge that you can hang your feet off of to get a good stretch. The bottom is tapered all the way under. Hard to explain. That's why I decided to use the squat rack. Frosty, I have noticed exactly what you said. Every time I sat down today for more than 5 minutes and then got up, I went right back down. Gonna make my wife massage em for me........ maybe some icy hot too.......

Why no ibuprofren? Just curious. Some people in here say take it before and after going to the gym. I don't, but I'm just curious why you say to skip the IB? I'm going to trust you though....never steered me wrong yet!

Semper Fi
 
get you wifey to do a deep tissue massage. as hard as you can stand it.

if she wont slap her upside the head and remind her of who she married.

any mo questions? =0)
 
SemperFi 0321 said:
The leg press machine at my gym doesn't have a lower edge that you can hang your feet off of to get a good stretch. The bottom is tapered all the way under. Hard to explain. That's why I decided to use the squat rack. Frosty, I have noticed exactly what you said. Every time I sat down today for more than 5 minutes and then got up, I went right back down. Gonna make my wife massage em for me........ maybe some icy hot too.......

Why no ibuprofren? Just curious. Some people in here say take it before and after going to the gym. I don't, but I'm just curious why you say to skip the IB? I'm going to trust you though....never steered me wrong yet!

Semper Fi

While taking ibuprofen once isn't going to do anything harmful (at least it shouldn't), it's just generally not a good practice to go for the drugs when you have some pain. Taking a pill to make the pain go away does nothing to heal it, in fact, it actually harms it. Techniques such as massage, stretching, activity, etc all actually aid in the healing process. This is an important thing to remember.

Taking ibuprofen before and after training is a bad habit. If the pain is that serious, then they need to back off because they might really seriously injure something. Training shouldn't be THAT painful. It also can reduce gains as well as mess up the digestive system. It's just generally a good idea to not take drugs unless you NEED them. Drugs are good for emergencies, but that's about it, IMO. Before taking, just ask yourself, "do I really need to take this?"
 
pullinbig said:
get you wifey to do a deep tissue massage. as hard as you can stand it.

if she wont slap her upside the head and remind her of who she married.

any mo questions? =0)

:eek2:

HOLY CRAP!! She weighs 95 lbs......... one smack and she's a gonner! PB, you don't want me to piss her off, shes the one controlling the $$ flow......I make it, she spends it.........so its up to her when we get to start.

Semper Fi
 
Thanks for all the help guys........I'm gonna try to hobble up stairs and sleep it off.........I like pain, but I gotta sleep.

Semper Fi
 
pullinbig said:
do i need to come have a talk with the little lady? hummmm?? well do i??

Uh........didn't I tell you, she's 95 lbs!!! She'll kick your ass PB!!!! :D

She's really great about it. She massages me, cooks my food, takes care of my kid. I can't complain. Gotta love her.

Semper Fi
 
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