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Weight Training For Calves, Neck, And Forearms - Bodybuilding's Most Neglected Body Parts
By Dane C. Fletcher
Many bodybuilders train religiously, 4 to 6 days a week. They plan every meal, and measure every gram of protein, carbohydrate, and fat. They set their alarm clock and never miss a minute of sleep. They take their supplement like clockwork. They stay on top of every new bodybuilding innovation. Yet despite this meticulous planning, research, and hard work, they often overlook the third-tier body parts.
Calves
Anytime you wear shorts, your calves are on display. They are the failure point in squats, without argument the most important movement in bodybuilding. Yet many trainers completely ignore calf training, or relegate it to 2-3 sets of seated raises at the end of leg day. This is unacceptable. Calves are a showpiece muscle group, viewable clearly in every bodybuilding pose. They aren't fun to train - but they are definitely required. Train your claves twice a week with 6 to 9 sets.
Neck
Many bodybuilders do no neck training at all. This is a mistake. They put their bodies at increased risk for strains and other injuries due to strength imbalances. You cannot train your shoulder, chest, and traps hard, then neglect the muscle group which holds them all together! Use 4-6 sets of neck crunches or neck bridges, twice a week.
Forearms
In most social, work, gym, or any other situations, your forearms are on display. They are the primary grip on 90% of movements you use in the gym. Yet for some reason, many bodybuilders neglect their forearm work - opting to do a few sets of wrist curls now and then, or not training them at all, figuring their forearms get plenty of work from other movements. While it is true they do get some work with most movements, and there are some genetic freaks who never need forearms training, most of us would benefit tremendously from hitting them hard at least twice a week for 6 sets.
Nobody forgets to train chest, back or quads. Rarely do you miss an arm or shoulder day. But calf, neck, and forearm training often go neglected, resulting in poor stage placings, unbalance physiques, and injuries. Be sure to hit your third tier body parts every week!
Dane Fletcher is the world's most prolific bodybuilding and fitness expert and is currently the executive editor for BodybuildingToday.com. If you are looking for more bodybuilding tips or information on weight training, or supplementation, please visit www.BodybuildingToday.com, the bodybuilding and fitness authority site with hundreds of articles available FREE to help you meet your goals.
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your wrists and forearms, read this article! This device gives you a great golf, baseball, tennis, hockey or football forearm strengthening exercise, or for almost any sport! I am a bodybuilder and have always struggled with developing my forearms to match my upper arms. I have recently started to use one of the oldest forearm development tools, called the wrist roller. This is a simple device that can be made with things that most people can find around the house, and yet in my opinion is one of most effective forearm developers ever devised. As you'll soon see, the reason a lot of people don't use this exercise is because it is quite painful to perform as it develops a deep burn in the forearm muscles very quickly! This simple device can be made with a broom handle and a 5 foot length of rope. You can also go to Home Depot or your nearest home center and buy and 18 inch long wooden dowel that is between one and 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Drill a hole through the center of the dowel about 1/4" in diameter. Now take one end of a 5 foot piece of rope and feed it through the hole in the dowel and tie in a nice big knot on the other and so it can't be pulled back through. The next thing you're going to do is to tie either a small dumbbell or a 5 - 10 pound barbell plate to the other end of the rope. Adjust the length of the rope so that when you hold the dowel in your hands and extend your hands straight out in front of your body, the dumbbell or barbell plate is just barely touching the floor. |