• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Become a Premium Member
  • About

Road Bike Rider Cycling Site

Expert road cycling advice, since 2001

  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Bikes & Gear
  • Training & Health
  • Reviews
  • Cycling Ebooks
    • Ebooks Training
    • Ebooks Skills
    • E-Articles Training
    • E-Articles Nutrition
  • Member Area
  • Newsletter

Doesn’t Cycling Build Calf Muscles?

Question:  I’m surprised that you say calves contribute nothing to cycling performance. I’ve had skinny bird legs my whole life — even when I was lifting weights — until I began riding last summer. I didn’t take before/after measurements, but my calves have gotten markedly more muscular. They’re larger and more defined, and a “new” muscle has appeared on my upper, outer shin. This occurred even though I cut out weight work almost entirely. It must mean that my calves are getting a workout when I ride. And if they’re getting a workout, it stands to reason that they’re contributing. Am I crazy? — Jim P.

Coach Fred Matheny Replies:  I know what you mean, Jim. I can certainly feel my calves working when I ride. But biomechanical studies that monitor the electrical involvement of various muscles show that calves don’t contribute much to the pedal stroke. It’s counterintuitive, but apparently it’s real.

These studies show that while the quads and glutes are quite active during the pedal stroke (as you’d expect), the calf basically holds the foot stable on the pedal. Calves act as a link between the foot and the power production of quads/glutes.

If you markedly “ankle” when you pedal (push through with your forefoot and change the flexion of your ankle) this may explain why your calves are getting more of a workout.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Search

Recent Articles

  • Newsletter Issue No. 1053
  • Can you use Shimano rotors with SRAM brakes? (Or vice versa?)
  • 16 Tips for Increasing Your Annual Cycling Mileage
  • Intense Exercisers Have More Plaques but Fewer Heart Attacks

Recent Newsletters

Newsletter Issue No. 1053

Newsletter Issue No. 1052

Newsletter Issue No. 1051

Newsletter Issue No. 1050

Newsletter Issue No. 1049

Footer

Affiliate Disclosure

Our cycling expert editors and writers choose every product we review. We may earn an affiliate commission if you buy from one of our product links, at no extra cost to you. This income supports our site.

Follow Us

  • Pinterest
  • Facebook

Privacy Policy

Still Haven’t Found What You’re Looking For?

Copyright © 2023 · Magazine Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in