Not that I have big calves, but I do know the science to big calves….The gastroc complex is the combination of the soleus and gastrocnemius muscles in the leg. They BOTH will be working in these two exercise. You can see that they are both contracting as I plantarflex (push into the balls of the feet).
MAIN REASON: the gastrocnemius is a longer muscle than the soleus. They both attach to the achilles tendon but start at different places. So when you have your knee flexed (seated calf raise) the gastrocnemius does not work as well because it is shortened.
