In bodybuilding contests, muscle and conditioning usually win the show. However, at the highest levels, overall levels of mass and conditioning are often very similar among competitors. Each of the men onstage possesses an incredible physique, nearly devoid of flaws, dry of all subcutaneous water, with muscle developed to the maximum. It is at this level when the only way to determine who should be first at a show, and who should be fifth, comes down to who possesses any flaws, if any.

Any uneven muscle groups can be quite detrimental to muscle growth. We saw an incredible bodybuilding phenom named Mike Lockett arrive on the scene just a few years back, primed to take the IFBB pro ranks by storm. He was 230 pounds of raw talent, with just two years training under his belt. He was so good, in fact, that he skipped the pro card that came with his Team Universe win and decided to earn it in the NPC ranks. Soon, however, an imbalance in his thighs caused his pro dreams to stall. He’s still seen around expos and shows, but hasn’t been onstage in almost two years, with no upcoming shows on the horizon. Muscle imbalances, whether they be due to injury, genetics, training patterns, or verve damage, are no joke, and can end many a promising bodybuilding career.

If you have found your calves to be imbalanced, the time to act is now. The sooner you tackle an imbalance the better, as it may take years to correct a serious imbalance, and it’s much easier to do at age 22 than it will be at age 40. Additionally, your placement at any bodybuilding competitions you enter in the meantime will affected by the timing of your changes. If there’s an imbalance in your calves, the best time to start was two years ago. The second best time is today.

One-legged calf raises are the single most effective movement for changing the shape of one calf in order to help it keep up with the other. The weight used will be light, and the range of motion can be as great or as little as you wish it to be. If the problem is overall size of one of the calves, you can just complete a few extra sets to provide that calf with more stimulation. If the problem is “meat” or muscle mass in one particular area of the weaker calf, then you can reposition your toes to specifically address one area. Pointing your toes outward will target the inner calves. Pointing your toes inward will target the outer calves. Keeping the toes pointing forward allows for equal stimulation throughout the entire calf. Your range of motion can also affect your results. If you want thicker center calves, use more weight and allow a bobbing of the weight in the middle range of motion. Or, if the top or bottom of the muscle group is weaker, you can use less weight and a great range of motion to see results. Above all, stay consistent!

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