[JacobJacob]

I'm heading back to Yosemite in spring. I found when I was out there last year that a major limiting factor in my free climbing was getting really pumped calf muscles.

Has anyone ever looked into doing climbing specific calf muscle training and has any tips? My current plan is one and two legged calf raises standing on a platform and a bit of running.

Thanks!

[Three Nine]

Ha you tit. Go winter climbing?!

[i_a_coops]

I hear the Quarryman is good training for the calves....

[Three Nine]

Tbh, the best way you can train for pump in your arms is by spending lots of time on steep ground (whether the fun way of doing steep routes, or the shit way of going round and round a little panel of climbing wall). The same applies here - spend a lot of time on steep slabs, whether by going up and down a steep slab outdoors umpteen times (which you have the time to do you idle cunt), or travving round a steep slab indoors on small footholds. If you were really keen you could build a footboard, but that might be a bit much.

[Three Nine]

I suspect that very non-specific calf exercises like leg raises on a step are about as useful for climbing-specific calf pump as deadlifting or all the bullshit core exercises people on here love.

[Three Nine]

So go and climb a load of ghastly slate routes with Ian (gets me out of it)

[jwi]

place less gear?

[Falling Down]

I'm pretty sure Mick Fowler or Victor Saunders used to put a load of heavy shit in a rucksack then go for a long walk on tiptoes to train their calves for winter climbing. 

Just go running up steep hills.. Fell running got my calves strong.