Calves

[gigi3]

I have a question about calves. I'm trying to slim down my calves, they're extremely bulky and muscular. I know that it probably is a part of genetics that make them big, but I would really like to try to make them smaller. But I've been reading all over the internet that running and walking makes them even bigger. And I'm not sure what to do, I want to lose some weight through running, but will it make my calves bulkier?

I've also been reading that pilates and yoga can help in making them smaller. Has anyone tried this?

TIA

p.s I hope this thread is in the right place

 

[indigoiis]

Hey Gigi,

If you go to the Harsh Truth section, you can read about the myth of spot reduction and muscle bulk in women.

Those posts will more than answer your question. But to be brief, if your calves are muscular, you are blessed with muscular calves (genetic) and stretching them through yoga will not make them smaller (but it won't do any harm, either.) Running will help to strengthen the muscle, but it is hard (from what I have read) for women to get really bulky muscles without years of training and specialized nutrition. I think if anything the running will help to reduce overall body fat. And if there is fat on top of that calf muscle, eventually, you could make them smaller by reducing overall body fat (eventually it will come off in the legs.)

 

[buffycj]

Gigi,

I did find that the Pilates Circle Workout really slimmed my calves while working lots of other places also but I really noticed it in the calves. It is only a 20 minute routine and I did it 3 times a week for about 1-2 months and did notice a slimming in my calves (which kind of looked like farmer calves) in capris.

Hope that helps!