Bulging calf muscle?

_ninahall
_ninahall Posts: 1
in Fitness and Exercise
I suffer from short-person-big-calf-syndrome. They don't that (that!) much fat, but I have huge muscles in my calves, especially in proportion to the rest of my body. How can I slim these areas down whilst still staying active?

Replies

  • mtpage04
    mtpage04 Posts: 41 Member
    Keep in mind, as you lose fat, your measurements will change all over. We cannot change our genetics, however, you can train in a manner that balances your proportions. Lighter weight and higher repetitions with regard to leg work might help minimize the appearance. You might also consider what kind of exercise you are doing on a regular basis that is contributing to your calves. Are you climbing a lot of stairs or walking a lot of hills? Maybe consider swimming or just change up your routine if you are consistently doing the same thing.
  • EllaIsNotEnchanted
    EllaIsNotEnchanted Posts: 226 Member
    Hi. I'm 5'1 and ex cross country runner (college and High School). All the time I plantar flex in a day is definitely over 100 (guesstimate) to reach and get dishes, to reach and get something else, to jump up and do pull-ups on the pull-up bar. So I also have bulgy calf muscle. :)

    a. are you sure you do not have THAT much fat over?
    b. you cannot spot reduce. You cannot pick and choose what area can slim down. You can try to work on the area less. No calf raises. Less running... sadness. :( less bearing weight when plantar flexing.
    c. muscle is sexy. I'm kind of biased. I like it when people compliment my calves.
  • liznotyet
    liznotyet Posts: 402 Member
    I have similar body type. When I was a teenager and distance cyclist I weighed 40 pounds less and they were large. I am guessing that even if I was at goal weight I would still have relatively large calves, unless I got to goal weight by giving up all muscle (wasting), but then I wouldn't be able to walk.

    A pilates coach advises foot and toe exercises, lying on your back, legs in the air, then adding motion that squeezes and flexes the toes and the ankles where the calf is just the indirect beneficiary of those movements, like moving imaginary pencils. Stretches that make the leg feel longer also help. Massaging the muscle fibers in the direction you want them to go might not actually change anything but it may make you appreciate their strength.
  • mymodernbabylon
    mymodernbabylon Posts: 1,038 Member
    I have and will always have big calves - even when I had my eating disorder and was underweight I still had big calves. And ya know what - they are awesome. They have helped me become a great athlete, carry me all over the world and look sexy. Muscular legs for the win!
  • nitrospop
    nitrospop Posts: 122 Member
    Big calves here! Most people in the gym would kill to have the size and definition I have. But guess what? We gentically have different muscle attachment points that naturally lend to larger calves.

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