How do you thin your calves?!!?!?!?

marsts

That is my worst part that I hate! My calves are almost as big as my mid thigh! So when I wear dresses that are at my knee level, it just makes my legs look bigger than they are because they can't see my mid thighs which are almost skinnier than my calves!

So i was wondering any workouts /exercises or w.e. that can help trim them down on not make them look so humungous!

smuehlbauer

You can't spot recuce fat.

To tone your calf's you can do standing or sitting calf raises and donkey raises.
Steph

RockaholicMama

I'm looking forward to hearing this as well. I suffer from the same issue.

rachyrach1234

slim=cardio
BUTT KICKS!

funky_stripes

would like to know, i just wrote a thread about skinny jeans and how my calves are just muscle and hard to take off those skinnies lol, i dont want anymore bulging calves lol...prob cuz im a runner?

RockaholicMama

You can't spot recuce fat.

To tone your calf's you can do standing or sitting calf raises and donkey raises.
Steph

Explain the donkey raise? I'm looking for new calf strengthening work outs.

stewo4

Is it fat or muscle you're trying to get rid of? My BFF is a runner and has thick muscly calves, and mine are really wide for some reason. I've heard pilates helps slim down w/out adding muscle bulkiness.

fteale

Wear shorter skirts?

TheDeviation

Explain the donkey raise? I'm looking for new calf strengthening work outs.

http://www.jefit.com/exercises/exercise-database/?id=300
It's an old school exercise. As a guy, there's no way I'm getting on another sweaty dude's back. Maybe it's just me....


Here's a few others (no weights needed):
http://www.jefit.com/exercises/exercise-database/?id=289
http://www.jefit.com/exercises/exercise-database/?id=298

And of course, CARDIO.

00trayn

I've always had large calves, since I've lost a bunch of weight already, they've gone from HUGEEEE to just big, but they also went from all fat to all muscle. So at this point, I can't really get them any smaller unless I lose muscle, but they don't look bad since they're nice and toned. Your best bet is to work on strength training and cardio together to burn the fat (all over, spot reduction doesn't exist) and tone up your calf muscles. I do lunges, squats, and the stair master thingy for my calves. I still have to buy wide calf boots and skinny jeans are a bit difficult, but at least I have toned calves now.

smuehlbauer

You can't spot recuce fat.

To tone your calf's you can do standing or sitting calf raises and donkey raises.
Steph

Explain the donkey raise? I'm looking for new calf strengthening work outs.

google search it. or use bodybuilding.com they should have video.

smuehlbauer

Explain the donkey raise? I'm looking for new calf strengthening work outs.

http://www.jefit.com/exercises/exercise-database/?id=300
It's an old school exercise. As a guy, there's no way I'm getting on another sweaty dude's back. Maybe it's just me....


Here's a few others (no weights needed):
http://www.jefit.com/exercises/exercise-database/?id=289
http://www.jefit.com/exercises/exercise-database/?id=298

Yeah - I do mine with out the extra added weight. I do get all the guys watching me with this one! LOL
And of course, CARDIO.

jjhanlon

I have the same issue. I run, and therefore, I cannot wear knee-high boots or skinny jeans. :grumble:

Kytana

I'm in the same boat as funky-stripes; I have my jiggly parts, but my calves are solid muscle. That style this past winter, of wearing boots with your jeans tucked in, soooo wasn't happening for me. I'm lucky to zip up boot calves under the jeans sometimes!

Tips on slenderizing muscle would be much appreciated!

Kyt

Newmammaluv

I've been trying to slim down bulky muscular calves for YEARS! I just don't think there is a way... I think natural bulky muscle structure is rare in women but not a darn thing we can do about it. You can;t even let the suckers atrophe (I've tried) because cardio naturally works your leg muscles.

b00b0084

My old personal trainer and I used to talk about this all the time during our sessions. I have 18" claves and hate them, I want smaller calves. She has very small calves and always wanted bigger calves. I learned to love my calves.

marsts

I just found a link that offered some pretty decent information i think, hopefully it will work!


http://superskinnyme.com/Slim_Calves.html

aries7

Calves are tricky because genetics have a much greater impact on big your calves muscles then other muscles like your biceps. Some people never have to work out to get big calves while for others, no matter how hard they work out, their calves don't get that much bigger.

With that being said, it's simple, calves are just like any other muscles...

To make them smaller, don't use them (or train them)! Plain and simple. And, as you slim down, there is less weight for your calves to carry as you move around so they will "naturally" start to become smaller since there is less weight to move around and not to mention less fat around your calves as you slim down.

The analogy I like to picture is if you think about someone that broke their leg/arm and then being put in a cast for a few months, after the cast is removed, their arm/leg looks much smaller compared to the other arm/leg which wasn't put in the cast. But, a few months later, their arms/legs return to it's "normal" size since it's being used again.

Always remember though, don't compare yourself with others but instead compare yourself with yourself.

AshleyLHoover

Wow - this was really helpful! I have been struggling with my Cows - they're too big to be calves - for my whole life. Now I can try applying these tips and hopefully begin to slim them a bit.

Thanks!