When doing my fat burning cardio I do one of three things. I run on an eliptical, treadmill or I play basketball. For the basketball I shoot at a rapid pace and run around to get the ball and I sweat alot. Is that ok for cardio? Also on days i decide to use a machine for cardio, is it better to use the elipitical or treadmill? Keep in mind I would like to do whichever will help build bigger calves.
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Treadmill or eliptical
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You want bigger Calv's?go buy a bike.Running s good but it doesn't do near as much as a 10 mile bike ride when your talking about building muscle.I have a fairly decent mountain bike and rid it around the lake and up in the mountains all the time, summer time I take it all over hell on the back of my car so I can ride it on new trails.I use it alot to run to the corner market about a mile from me.Its a easy (fairly cheap too) way to start into exercise and I have a good time doing it instead of feeling like I working out and dreading it.Iv loaded a pack up and some water and did about 90 miles one time in 4 days. u hill down hill some flat some up some down.. Kicked my ass, thank god for the down hill parts.back packing is good too, a decent pack and some good mountains (pending where you live and what you have access to) can be a great trip.I did the High line trail with my brother a few years ago in northern Utah, 50 miles in 3 days, It was a hell of a push at altitude but well worth the time.I an not tell ya shit about treadmills and ellipticals, I know that running is harder on your knees then a bike so I stay away from running and have to keep a brace on to back pack or bike, I destroyed that bastard years ago and will continue to put off surgery until I have no choice instead of just the Doc recommending it. By wearing a brace or taping it up before serious exercise Iv gone nearly 19 years with out being cut upon.anyways....look into what causes less strain and pounding to decide what one of those two you prefer to use.
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Neither of those will build you huge calves. They will strengthen your calves though, for running, especially if you're rolling your foot from heel to toe as you should. Opposite to this is running flat footed in which case you'll make a lot of noise when you step down (hard on your ankles, shins, and knees). It really depends upon the elliptical but if the motion is mostly forward and back without much up and down then your ankles and feet will remain locked in a position where they're not moving much and your calves won't get worked much.Your cardio seems good, but I'm not sure how often you're doing it. How often do you do each of these in a week - on average. EDIT: Try moving your foot by pointing it up to the ceiling and then pointing it down to the ground. The more an activity gets you to do that motion, the more it will work your calves.
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i do it each time i go to the gym. Try to every other day.