[kahnfv]

I've been working out at the YMCA for 3 months now. I use the elliptical machine for cardio and for my legs I've been using the seated leg press, leg extension and leg curl machines. My right calve muscle is becoming noticeably bigger than my left. I don't know why. Could it be something I am doing on the elliptical? I did not think the machines I used for my legs worked the calve muscle. I am ready to add exercises to work my calve muscles. Is there something I can do to help my left catch up with my right? Any suggestions or tips would be helpful. Thanks. Valerie

[Mel]

Hi
Try doing some exercises that work your legs independently, with the same amout of weight. If your right leg is stronger than your left, always working them together will allow your left to just "go along for the ride" and your right may do most of the work.

You can still use the leg press, but cut the weight, and do each leg seperately. Switch off the quad extension machine ( it's one of the most useless pieces of equipment in the gym for overall muscle building ) and try doing some squats- either with dumbells or a bar if you are ready. Standing on both legs forces both of them to do the work. Same with leg curls. If your gym has a standing curl machine, switch to that so that you work each leg independently. Then go do a little calf work, you don't need much, but 1 leg at a time. You can just stand on the edge of an aerobic step and hold a dumbell. Hold onto a wall or post with 1 hand for balance, hold the dumbell in the other, and raise and lower your ankle 15-20 times. Repeat on other leg.

This should even you out a bit, tho it may take a while. Also, unless you really work at it, everyone has 1 dominant side that is bigger and stronger than the other. That's why competitors spend so much time working on symmetry.

HTH,
Mel

[luv2lift]

Hello Kahnfv,
Don't have much to add to the good advice already given by Mel except to say it has worked for me. I do lot's of isolateral excersises for my whole body to try and keep my symmetry decent. Everyone does have a dominant side and I have been able to significantly even out (bring up my weak ie:smaller side) by incorporating excersises that force each side to fend for itself. I do DB calf raises (as described byMel) and another one I do for calves is toe presses on the leg press machine doing one side at a time.

Good Luck!
XOXO
L2L

[kahnfv]

Thank you Mel and L2L. The Y does not have a standing curl machine but I will give squats and DB calf raises a try. I am adding new exercises to my workout as I get stronger. I do have to be careful because some cause pain in my knees.