Been biking to work for 2 weeks straight and noticed a couple side effects

[dave_the_wave]

First, I gotta say I absolutely love this forum and this website. You guys and gals inspire me to be better. I also need to admit something here....I have.... *gulp*.... really small calves. I'm a 29yr old male 6'2"  173 lbs and have 13.25" calves. HOWEVER, over the past 2 weeks of riding everyday up a couple grueling 13% grade hills and 10 miles of riding per day I have added .75" to my calves already and feel MUCH stronger. (Also just before I started biking I ran a 10k followed by 1/2 marathon the next day)

This may not be significant to some of you and I understand why you may not care, but I have to tell you that I was extremely self-conscious about my legs in particular. My entire life I have suffered with these chicken legs and people seem to have no qualms reminding me of how small they look. This is the first time I've ever seen improvement in my calf size and I am ecstatic.

Also, biking has had another side effect on me. I haven't spent any money since January 1st on anything outside of groceries and utilities. Nothing. Not a single red cent. I've been entertaining myself by riding and I find myself actually excited to get back out on the bike and ride. Even in 35°F weather and rain, I'm out there riding to work. I know you mustachians have been at it for awhile, but I'm finally feel free. I'm learning, growing, and happy. Finally!

[DividendMoney]

Team #nocalves checking in! I too have always been the classic ectomorph with tiny calves... very self conscious!!!
I feel your pain, my friend.  I've been weight training for a few years now and at 6'2" 210lbs, can squat over 400lbs ...but, still can't get my calves to grow.
Henceforth, I am no going to be biking!

Cheers!

[dave_the_wave]

Team #nocalves checking in! I too have always been the classic ectomorph with tiny calves... very self conscious!!!
I feel your pain, my friend.  I've been weight training for a few years now and at 6'2" 210lbs, can squat over 400lbs ...but, still can't get my calves to grow.
Henceforth, I am no going to be biking!

Cheers!

I'm stealing that hashtag....
Please keep me updated on your progress. I always love hearing about a fellow mustachian's progress. It gives me hope and energy to persevere.

[DividendMoney]

Team #nocalves checking in! I too have always been the classic ectomorph with tiny calves... very self conscious!!!
I feel your pain, my friend.  I've been weight training for a few years now and at 6'2" 210lbs, can squat over 400lbs ...but, still can't get my calves to grow.
Henceforth, I am no going to be biking!

Cheers!

I'm stealing that hashtag....
Please keep me updated on your progress. I always love hearing about a fellow mustachian's progress. It gives me hope and energy to persevere.

If you search that hashtag on Instagram you will see some all-too-familiar images... beware the emotional triggers!

In all seriousness, it is awesome to get motivation from this board as it doesn't appear to be too common of a philosophy in my real life circle of influence.

[dave_the_wave]

If you search that hashtag on Instagram you will see some all-too-familiar images... beware the emotional triggers!

In all seriousness, it is awesome to get motivation from this board as it doesn't appear to be too common of a philosophy in my real life circle of influence.

I unfortunately have the same "circle". You guys keep me sane more than I like to admit.

[HenryDavid]

Keep biking for 20+ years! And check your calves, and your net worth, then.

I'm liking the side-effects on both . . . and also on the "fitness age" I get when I use this:
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/10/15/whats-your-fitness-age/

[acroy]

Badass!
rock those skinny calves. people who judge them are just showing how shallow they are. Phooey on them :)

[GuitarStv]

YMMV, but try skipping for a couple three or four minute rounds each day with a speed rope if you're worried about your calf size.  A proper boxing style skip where you alternate between each leg every revolution of the rope and stay on the balls of your feet the whole time.  That (and boxing) really made a big difference for me.

[dave_the_wave]

YMMV, but try skipping for a couple three or four minute rounds each day with a speed rope if you're worried about your calf size.  A proper boxing style skip where you alternate between each leg every revolution of the rope and stay on the balls of your feet the whole time.  That (and boxing) really made a big difference for me.

I actually practice muay thai and boxing. I'll give this a shot! Thanks for the tip!

[BougieButBroke]

I LOVE biking. One of the reasons I got sucked into MMM :)

[enigmaT120]

I think running does more for your calves than biking does.  Even in high school when I was 5' 11" and 135 pounds I had calves, from running 60 miles a week.  No other muscles though.  Biking works my thighs more than my calves.  Maybe because I don't use any foot attachment devices?  I don't like them.  BMX pedals for me.

[big_slacker]

I think running does more for your calves than biking does.  Even in high school when I was 5' 11" and 135 pounds I had calves, from running 60 miles a week.  No other muscles though.  Biking works my thighs more than my calves.  Maybe because I don't use any foot attachment devices?  I don't like them.  BMX pedals for me.

Depends on the riding style. I was a single speed mountain biker for years, you spend most of your time off the seat rocking back and forth to keep momentum going. So calves get a helluva workout and get big.

For the OP, 13"??? I've never measured my calves but I think my biceps are that big and I'm not a big guy, haha!

Congrats on gettin dem swole calves. Biking is awesome.

[dave_the_wave]

For the OP, 13"??? I've never measured my calves but I think my biceps are that big and I'm not a big guy, haha!

Congrats on gettin dem swole calves. Biking is awesome.

Really puts how bad my genetics are into perspective doesn't it? :P

[big_slacker]

For the OP, 13"??? I've never measured my calves but I think my biceps are that big and I'm not a big guy, haha!

Congrats on gettin dem swole calves. Biking is awesome.

Really puts how bad my genetics are into perspective doesn't it? :P

Haha, seriously. I actually just measured my skinny biceps due to this thread and they're 13.25, same as your former calves. FWIW my calves are 15" and I'm 5'11"  170 lbs.

[big_owl]

If big calves are what you want then running is not going to help.  Think about it, why on earth would large calves EVER be useful for running?  The top runners almost always have a very high insertion point for the gastrocnemius and very slim soleus muscles.  You want the least amount of mass possible further down the tibia toward the metatarsals, you see it time and again in the animal kingdom for all the fast and efficient runners.  So expecting to grow impressive calves by running would be a waste of time. It would be against your body's adaptive response to develop large calves in order to become a better runner. 

You need to start thinking power and strength if you want awesome calves, and train appropriately. 

[bacchi]

People actually measure their calves?

[stealthystache]

That's what i thought! ;)  Guess I'm used to my own chicken/ostrich legs...mmm... those tiny calf muscles contrast so well with my meaty thighs! 

Great. I just realized I'm a flightless bird. Thanks for the encouragement here lol!

[big_owl]

People actually measure their calves?

In bodybuilding the gold standard has long been that your calves should be about the same size as your biceps for maximum aesthetics of the body.  It's rather difficult to objectively look at your calves in the mirror compared to your chest or arms, so the easiest way to track progress is by using the tape. 

And yes, skinny calves on someone who is otherwise well developed or muscular look really cheesy.

[MNBen]

People actually measure their calves?

Oh, it gets worse than that...  http://www.calfimplants.com/index.html

[sol]

People actually measure their calves?

Oh, it gets worse than that...  http://www.calfimplants.com/index.html

That was one of the first surgeries that Schwarzenegger had done.  Professional pretty people have no shame.

[coolistdude]

Team #nocalves checking in! I too have always been the classic ectomorph with tiny calves... very self conscious!!!
I feel your pain, my friend.  I've been weight training for a few years now and at 6'2" 210lbs, can squat over 400lbs ...but, still can't get my calves to grow.
Henceforth, I am no going to be biking!

Cheers!

This works even if you have large calves for your size too. I have an issue with my feet so I've had large (not huge) calves my entire life (even before puberty...yeah lol). Just to give some perspective, I am a smaller guy at 5' 7" about 140lbs and 16"+- calves. After biking, my calves are stretching out my pants, and these are regular/slightly baggy cut as is custom where I live. I've only been biking since October. If this trend continues I may need to swap some pants. So, even if you are a small guy, biking makes a big difference!

[big_owl]

People actually measure their calves?

Oh, it gets worse than that...  http://www.calfimplants.com/index.html

That was one of the first surgeries that Schwarzenegger had done.  Professional pretty people have no shame.

I think you might be trolling me...but anyway, def did *not* have calf implants.  His early day struggles with calf size and extra work he put into them are quite well documented.  I gotta think that it would feel really weird having calf implants.  Trying to imagine doing 500-800lb calf raises with some sort of implant down there.  Same with women and butt implants.