Do You Run Faster with Stronger Calves? The Surprising Truth
The role of your calves in running speed
I was chatting with my buddy Alex the other night (he’s training for his first marathon, super pumped about it), and he asked me, “Bro, if I just work on my calves, will I get faster?” And honestly… I hesitated. Because yeah, stronger calves sound like they should help, but it’s not that simple. Let’s break it down.
Your calves (mainly the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles) help with pushing off the ground, especially during the sprinting phase. They store elastic energy and release it — like a spring. BUT… they’re just one piece of the running machine. You also need strong glutes, hamstrings, quads, core — and let’s not even start on form and technique!
Do stronger calves directly increase speed?
The benefits
Yes, stronger calves can improve your running efficiency. They can make you better at pushing off, help you maintain speed longer, and reduce the risk of fatigue in your lower legs. I remember when I started adding calf raises to my gym routine — after a few weeks, I noticed my hill runs felt smoother. Not necessarily faster, but definitely less painful.
The limitations
But here’s the kicker: calves alone won’t make you a speed demon. Alex was shocked when I told him that elite sprinters and distance runners rely more on hip extension and hamstring power than just calf strength. Focusing only on calves might even backfire — you could end up with muscle imbalances or neglecting more critical areas.
Other key muscles that impact running speed
Glutes and hamstrings: the real power engines
Your glutes are the biggest, strongest muscles in your body for a reason. They’re responsible for hip extension, which drives you forward. Weak glutes? You’re basically running with the brakes on. I once made this mistake, focusing too much on squats and calves, and ignoring glute work — until a coach pointed it out (ouch, my ego!).
Core strength and posture
Strong calves can’t save you if your core collapses when you run. Core strength helps maintain posture, stabilize your pelvis, and keep your stride efficient. Think of it as the control center keeping everything aligned.
Should you train your calves for speed?
Smart calf training
Yes, include calf exercises — but make sure they’re part of a balanced program. Do seated and standing calf raises, plyometric jumps, hill sprints, and balance drills. Alex actually switched to including single-leg hops, and he swears they helped more than just hammering calf machines at the gym.
Don’t neglect mobility
One thing I learned the hard way? Tight calves can wreck your stride. Make sure you stretch and foam roll, especially if you’re increasing volume or speed. I once spent weeks dealing with Achilles tightness because I skipped post-run stretching. Never again.
Final thoughts: stronger calves help, but they’re not magic
So, do stronger calves make you faster? Sort of — they help, but they’re not the golden ticket. You need an all-around approach: glutes, hamstrings, core, form, and yes, calves.
If you’re like Alex and want to geek out more about running mechanics, hit me up! We’re thinking of starting a little “runner fail stories” club because let’s be real — we’ve all messed up our training at some point .
How much height should a boy have to look attractive?
Well, fellas, worry no more, because a new study has revealed 5ft 8in is the ideal height for a man. Dating app Badoo has revealed the most right-swiped heights based on their users aged 18 to 30.
Is 172 cm good for a man?
Yes it is. Average height of male in India is 166.3 cm (i.e. 5 ft 5.5 inches) while for female it is 152.6 cm (i.e. 5 ft) approximately. So, as far as your question is concerned, aforesaid height is above average in both cases.
Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?
The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.
Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?
How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).
How tall is a average 15 year old?
Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years
| Male Teens: 13 - 20 Years) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 14 Years | 112.0 lb. (50.8 kg) | 64.5" (163.8 cm) |
| 15 Years | 123.5 lb. (56.02 kg) | 67.0" (170.1 cm) |
| 16 Years | 134.0 lb. (60.78 kg) | 68.3" (173.4 cm) |
| 17 Years | 142.0 lb. (64.41 kg) | 69.0" (175.2 cm) |
How to get taller at 18?
Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.
Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?
Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).
Can you grow between 16 and 18?
Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.
Can you grow 1 cm after 17?
Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.