Calves and Forearms--strictly genetic?

[ab8349]

I've always had large and vascular forearms, and calves, even before I touched a weight in my life. Of course, they grew quite a bit after some gym time and my buddies always hated how easy it was for me. However, there are some super-strong guys I know that would give their left nut to trade those particular body parts with me. I think some gains can be made with heavy compound movements, but I think you either have them, or you don't. What thinks H&F?

[spoolin215]

All muscles are susceptible to hypertrophy.

[Papa Dras]

I wasn't born with large calves, but I do come from good genetics. I've worked my ass off to get large, well defined calves because it was something that always impressed me and I think it gives solid, well rounded athletic look. Now they are something that I've had comments on- my buddy says it looks like I have a softball in each leg. My wife digs it too.

This came from destroying them over years of training.

[JCJetta]

This came from destroying them over years of training.

This.

I get picked on for doing slow, full-range reps on the calf raise machine with 4-6 plates. Gym owner/trainer says he will petition the Olympic committee to make it a new competition.

[vwcool]

I was actually wondering how you guys do calves, I figured the seated calf raise would "bogus exercise" because you're seated and it's along a generally fixed plane

i did them standing with a DB in each hand last night, I was smoked, how do the rest of you do them?

[Papa Dras]

I do calves twice a week. Biking and running hit them the other days.

Two days I do:
10 x 20 seated (whatever weight that allows this amount)
10 x 20 standing (ditto)

Two days I do:
5 x 10 seated (the stack)
5 x 10 standing (6-7 plates)