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Calf Raise Machines
CALF RAISE MACHINES
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When you head to the gym for a leg workout, you may focus on the large muscles of the thighs and hips -- neglecting your lower legs. Taking time to work the calf muscles offers aesthetic and biomechanical benefits. Skipping training for the muscles of the calf can make you prone to injury, so make an effort to target them in your next lower body strength-training session. The calf muscles act to stabilize your ankles and feet. When your calves are strong, they are better able to provide this service and can help prevent rolling or excessive pronation or supination -- in which your foot turns inward or outward, respectively. Runners, walkers and those who play team sports benefit from strong lower leg muscles that keep the mechanics of the lower leg in line. Your calves work to lift the heel when you run, walk and jump. The gastrocnemius muscle, in particular, is involved in generating power during these activities. Basketball and volleyball players, for example, can increase their vertical jump by targeting the muscles of the calf. |
Calf raises are a popular strength training exercise. You can do them as a bodyweight exercise, using only the weight of your own body to train your calves or as a weighted exercise with dumbbells. A barbell, or ankle weights provide additional resistance for muscle strengthening purposes. Check with your doctor prior to beginning any new form of training.
Calf Raises
To properly perform a calf raise, stand near a wall with your hands on the wall for support and balance. Lift one foot off the ground, pointing it behind you. Rise up on the ball of your other foot as high as you can go. Lower back down to the ground, not allowing your heel to touch the ground in between repetitions. Perform one set of 10 to 12 repetitions. Switch legs and perform one set on the other leg. Do three sets on each leg, alternating legs to give your muscles a recovery period. Master a calf raise in this setting prior to adding any resistance to the exercise.
One of the benefits of calf raises is improved muscular strength. The muscles in your calf are your gastrocnemius and soleus muscles. Your gastrocnemius, the larger of the two muscles, runs from the bottom of your thigh bone down to your Achilles tendon. Your soleus, located underneath your gastrocnemius, starts at the top of your tibia in your lower leg and also attaches to your Achilles tendon. Calf raises will not only strengthen these two muscles, they will also give definition to your lower leg, improving its appearance.
Athletes who participate in basketball, track, cheerleading and gymnastics are always looking for ways to jump higher. Calf raises are one answer to this quest. By building stronger gastrocnemius and soleus muscles with calf raises you can increase your vertical jump. According to the Sports Fitness Advisor website, a training program that includes calf raises can help you increase your vertical by as much as 12 inches. Be careful not to over train your calf muscles with calf raises. Take one day off between each training session so your calves can recover and rebuild, growing stronger.
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If looking for individual pieces of Gym Equipment check our full range of selectorized machines, leverage machine, free weights and cardio gym equipment at FitnessZone.com. We are serious about fitness and our customers.
Body-Solid Leg & Calf Press MachineA proper leg workout not only strengthens the glutes, quadriceps, hamstrings and calves, it also works the cardiovascular systems and burns fat. Body-Solid Leg & Calf Press Machine advanced design reduces spinal compression while allowing full range of motion in a natural biomechanically efficient movement. The machine features pillow block and sealed ball bearings for precision alignment and friction-free motion. The fully adjustable DuraFirm™ back pad has an ergonomically designed two-position press plate to provide users of every size with a complete leg and calf workout. With gracefully curved frames constructed from sleek, power-coated tubing that exhibits a modern, design-forward aesthetic, the Body-Solid Leg & Calf Press Machinen builds form into function and value into a superior modular strength training system.
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Body-Solid Pro Dual Leg Press/Calf Press DCLP-SF With gracefully curved frames constructed from sleek, power-coated tubing that exhibits a modern, design-forward aesthetic, the Body-Solid Pro Dual Leg Press/Calf Press DCLP-SF builds form into function and value into a superior modular strength training system. The Body-Solid Pro Dual Leg Press/Calf Press DCLP-SF is designed to provide an intense workout while eliminating strain, the Body-Solid Pro Dual Leg Press/Calf Press DCLP-SF pieces are hard to beat. Easy and convenient step in entry makes getting started a breeze. Thick, comfortable DuraFirm™ pads reduce fatigue and discomfort allowing you keep working out. Rock solid support and stability is delivered via heavy-gauge steel frames with all-4-side welded construction. The fully shrouded weight stack offers a safe and attractive machine that is sure to be a hit in any facility. |
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Body-Solid Leverage GSCL360 Squat Machine
Body-Solid GSCR349 Seated Calf Raise Machine
A combination of user-friendly ergonomic design and advanced biomechanical engineering, the GSCR349 was created to increase calf muscle interaction and speed the rate of development. This is achieved by the use of a unique foot platform design that eliminates stress compression on the ball of the foot while providing maximum range of motion for deep muscle fiber penetration. The weight carriage is designed for a 3:1 weight ratio and pivots on precision pillow block and sealed ball bearings for smooth friction-free movement through heavy-duty calf-blasting workouts. In order to carry the heaviest loads, the main frame is constructed of 2" x 3" 11-gauge high-tensile strength steel, making the GSCR349 perfect for high traffic, heavy use gyms and clubs.
Super-durable, full 3" thick DuraFirm™ padding supplies the comfort even during workouts with enormous poundage. The Body-Solid Lifetime In-Home Warranty and Full Commercial Warranty back the best calf machine in the industry.
FitnessZone® is the premier fitness superstore on the Internet for free weight benches and plate-loaded machines. We carry a wide selection of top quality and reliable home or commercial adjustable weight benches and free weight machines. The FitnessZone® superstore offers the largest selection of free weight benches such as; flat benches, utility benches, flat to incline benches, decline benches, competition benches, adjustable multi-angle benches, Olympic flat benches, narrow benches, portable travel benches, and many more. We also offer a wide variety of plate loaded or single station exercise machines such as; vertical knee raises (VKR), hyperextension roman chairs, adjustable abdominal benches, ab crunch benches, preacher curl benches, Powertec leverage benches, lat-pull down machines, leg extension/ leg curl machines, seated calf machine, abdominal boards, FID benches, 45 degree hyperextensions, plate-loaded leg press machines, plate-loaded ab/back machines, inner/outer thigh machines, and many more. FitnessZone®’s selection of home and commercial weight benches and plate-loaded free weight machines can be shipped directly to your home, gym, corporate building, YMCA, fire department, or church at any time. We offer such a huge selection of brands of free weight bench systems and plate-loaded machines such as: Body Solid, BodyCraft, or Powertec at the best prices so you don’t have to waste time searching for a lower price.
FitnessZone® will be able to custom fit you on a free weight bench or plate-loaded machine that will help you obtain your fitness goals while meeting your budget or space requirements. We carry such brands as: BodyCraft, Body Solid, Bowflex, Inspire, Ironman, Kettler, Keys Fitness, Lamar Fitness, Powertec, Stamina and many more. We have service technicians on call 7 days a week throughout the World for our customer’s service needs. Order your free weight bench sysytem or plate-loaded machine at FitnessZone®.com and exercise your way to better Health.
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