What exercises get skinny legs, not muscular legs?

marshmallowmind
marshmallowmind Posts: 82 Member
edited September 30 in Health and Weight Loss
Since I was young, I've loved riding my bike. I used to go out on it for hours & hours a few times a week. My calves are quite big but not with fat, it's the only part of my body with proper muscle. Thing is, they're big, too big for my liking. I want thin legs, not muscular legs but I'm scared that if I keep riding my bike either outside or at the gym, my legs will just keep getting more muscular instead of slimming down.
What are the best exercises to burn off the fat on my legs, but not build up too much muscle? I know it takes a long time for women to build up huge muscles but I really don't want big legs, I think that would be as upsetting as having fat legs for me & considering my calves are already too muscly for my liking, you can kind of understand why I'm worried..
Any help would be awesome & greatly appreciated! :)
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Replies

  • katheern
    katheern Posts: 213 Member
    Do some yoga on top of your biking! The yoga helps stretch out your legs which will make them look nice and lean!
  • megz4987
    megz4987 Posts: 1,008 Member
    Pilates is supposed to help elongate, thin down, the legs. Worth a shot!
  • Rae6503
    Rae6503 Posts: 6,294 Member
    I think once you start seeing over all body fat loss your calves will tighten and tone up. They are big now not because of muscle but because there's muscles AND fat there. Keep your calories to the recommended level and mix cardio and weights and I bet you'll get the legs you want (thinner but still toned, no one really wants "skinny legs", do they?).
  • JennLifts
    JennLifts Posts: 1,913 Member
    Lack of exercise. Which is lack of muscle.
  • skinnylove00
    skinnylove00 Posts: 662 Member
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UT4UlsoQchY

    this is upper thigh insanity. its a bunch of toning exercises to help tone that area also running helps. i have ridiculously big calves as well but ive learned to love them because they sure as hell arent going away haha.
  • eeeekie
    eeeekie Posts: 1,011 Member
    Pilates
    Yoga
    Swimming?
  • marshmallowmind
    marshmallowmind Posts: 82 Member
    For yoga & pilates, I'll have to look up YouTube videos or something, but will definitely look into it, thanks! :D
    Thank you Rachel, I guess you're right there. I'll probably avoid biking more often, try find something else instead 'just incase', hopefully once my weight starts to get closer to my goal weight, it'll all look smaller. :)
    Skinnylove, I'll definitely check out that video! I've never properly run before, or jogging for that matter.. I'm so unfit I can't go more than a minute without being out of breath haha, hopefully I'll be able to build up to it because a couple others have said running as well. :)
    I don't actually know how to swim.. A mate of mine might be moving down & she loves swimming so if she does [which isn't until next year sadly], she's gunna teach me but that one is a big if.
    Thanks for all the help though! :D
  • kimjoan
    kimjoan Posts: 192 Member
    Exercise that is low resistance and longer time (or amounts if you are lifting) tend to longate the muscles. Exercise that provides more resistance and you do for a shorter period of time lead to bulkier muscles. However, you have to remember that you body does have a tendancy to do certain things just because of the way you are built - for me, my muscles bulk no matter what I do.
  • amymeenieminymo
    amymeenieminymo Posts: 2,394 Member
    Since I was young, I've loved riding my bike. I used to go out on it for hours & hours a few times a week. My calves are quite big but not with fat, it's the only part of my body with proper muscle. Thing is, they're big, too big for my liking. I want thin legs, not muscular legs but I'm scared that if I keep riding my bike either outside or at the gym, my legs will just keep getting more muscular instead of slimming down.
    What are the best exercises to burn off the fat on my legs, but not build up too much muscle? I know it takes a long time for women to build up huge muscles but I really don't want big legs, I think that would be as upsetting as having fat legs for me & considering my calves are already too muscly for my liking, you can kind of understand why I'm worried..
    Any help would be awesome & greatly appreciated! :)

    I have the same problem, I hate my calves. And I'm short, with short legs so they make me look even more squatty. Once in high school a football player even told me he wished he had my calves. That's not good. I had the same concern as you, and even though I DO think my calves are pretty muscular, when I am out of shape, there is more fat there than I realize. I lost 50 pounds last year (not in one year, but lost my 50th pound last year) and I noticed in pictures my legs were much slimmer looking. So I toned the muscle I did have, and burned off extra fat. I wouldn't worry if I were you, I've been assured by many many people that it's hard for women to bulk up, so your legs won't get too muscley.
  • spiritcrusher
    spiritcrusher Posts: 326 Member
    I hear this all the time from friends/girlfriends etc..

    The truth is, women do not produce enough testosterone to pack on tons of muscle without years of excessive training.

    Calves are very genetic, I have large ones also but I'm proud of them since most guys have chicken legs.

    Riding a bike will not make your calves bigger and not riding the bike will not make your calves smaller. The point that you would need to get to, to achieve muscular atrophy in your legs would be completely unhealthy.

    Be proud! Or squat at the gym a little more often to help proportions on the legs.
  • xxthoroughbred
    xxthoroughbred Posts: 346 Member
    Although I already have thin legs, running helped to lean them out a lot. There's definitely muscle tone, but they seemed to be more shapely rather than "bulky."
  • marshmallowmind
    marshmallowmind Posts: 82 Member
    One thing I should have added, my mum & dad both have very muscular calves, my mum especially. Neither of them are exactly healthy, both over weight but they both have muscular legs. So I have a feeling it might just be in my genes for my legs to do as they please & bulk up more than I'd like them to, sadly. :/
    I wish I could be proud to have musclier legs rather than skinny but I can't. I don't know why but I feel really ashamed of them, they make me feel really masculine & considering I've been told by a lot of people for most of my teens i'm a man [I'm really tall & used to be quite chunky] it's just really depressing.. Hopefully I get used to it, that they do slim down when I drop these 30 pounds. God knows. Can only hope, really.
  • Abigailblue39
    Abigailblue39 Posts: 212 Member
    Lack of exercise. Which is lack of muscle.

    I agree!! No workout and starvation will give you skinny - but not muscular - legs.. Who'd want to look like that?
  • marshmallowmind
    marshmallowmind Posts: 82 Member
    Lack of exercise. Which is lack of muscle.

    I agree!! No workout and starvation will give you skinny - but not muscular - legs.. Who'd want to look like that?
    I was going to ignore the first comment but really? I didn't ask for this. All I asked for was what exercises will slim my legs down but won't bulk them up. I'm pretty sure a lot of women feel the same way.
    Yes, I want skinny legs. But that's my personal choice. That's what I find attractive. I get that maybe you prefer the musclier look, that's totally up to you, your personal choice but I don't like that. I don't want chunky, muscley legs. I want thin, slightly toned legs. Having slim legs & having anorexic legs is totally different. If I wanted to have anorexic legs, I would not be here looking for help.
    I'm sorry if that was slightly rude but I came here for help, not for people to leave snarky responses.
  • Galathea96
    Galathea96 Posts: 200 Member
    I have huge calf muscles as well. I inherited it from both my parents and no matter what I do or eat they're there taunting me. When I was around 10 or so my uncle even told me to my face that I wouldn't look too bad if it weren't for my calves (coincidentally, I think this is the time I started being self conscious about my legs).

    At the moment I'm trying some pilates excercises with the hope of at least toning my lower legs. I just started a week and a half ago though, so I don't know if the excercises are working.
  • newfielover
    newfielover Posts: 104 Member
    muscular legs are great!!!!!
  • marshmallowmind
    marshmallowmind Posts: 82 Member
    I have huge calf muscles as well. I inherited it from both my parents and no matter what I do or eat they're there taunting me. When I was around 10 or so my uncle even told me to my face that I wouldn't look too bad if it weren't for my calves (coincidentally, I think this is the time I started being self conscious about my legs).

    At the moment I'm trying some pilates excercises with the hope of at least toning my lower legs. I just started a week and a half ago though, so I don't know if the excercises are working.
    That sucks so much of him to say that! I know the feeling though. I started feeling self conscious about my appearance when my first ever crush called me a man because I was taller than him. So unfair for people to say that kind of stuff.
    I hope you get the legs you're hoping for, pilates seems the way to go! :)
  • kgagnon7779
    kgagnon7779 Posts: 216
    Exercise that is low resistance and longer time (or amounts if you are lifting) tend to longate the muscles. Exercise that provides more resistance and you do for a shorter period of time lead to bulkier muscles. However, you have to remember that you body does have a tendancy to do certain things just because of the way you are built - for me, my muscles bulk no matter what I do.

    This isn't true at all and also, there is no way to elongate your muscles. Your muscles will always stay the same shape, it's what you do with the fat around and on top of the muscles that will make them look more defined. And as another poster pointed out, you won't get bulky from lifting heavier weight.
  • suzycreamcheese
    suzycreamcheese Posts: 1,766 Member
    i think its psychological, and maybe you should concentrate on embracing what you have. You dont look manly. Not even close. You look very beautiful, and please dont let something some mean guy said to you, affect how you view your body.
    If all your family have strong legs, then maybe thats just what youre going to have, and its a good thing, and nothing to be ashamed of or hide. x
  • rubysparkle
    rubysparkle Posts: 362 Member
    I have the same problem - im 5'2 and have short legs anyway but my calves are big and muscular, despite a lot of running. The running lengthened out my thighs and they now look leaner but my calves are heavy so i don't wear skirts much. My physio said the best thing to get long lean muscles is to do yoga and pilates - although at my height im not sure long and lean is ever going to be achievable :laugh:
  • SkinnyCate
    SkinnyCate Posts: 116
    Ignore the snarky comments girlie -- people like that are brats.

    Chin up!
  • mamagooskie
    mamagooskie Posts: 2,964 Member
    In my opinion a lot of it is genetics, my legs have gotten a lot thinner (like 6 inches off each thigh) but I will never be supermodel thin with thighs that don't touch.

    I agree do yoga to lenthen the muscles but do continue to bike, or run or whatever to build muscle. You can't fight your body's natural disposition so you might just have to embrace your body the way it is and make it the best it can be.
  • 0112317
    0112317 Posts: 17
    Focus on upper body cardio, hand pedaling, light kettle bell work....and essentially use leg muscles as little as possible....doing this while losing weight should decrease them in size somewhat, but will probably be very difficult...most people don't want to induce muscle atrophy....that being said I really dig muscular calves....
  • sinclare
    sinclare Posts: 369 Member
    I have very muscular legs. They look just like my dad's. the best thing I can do is keep them fat free ( something I am working on). The fat gets in the muscle and makes them bigger. Walking, running, yoga, pilates are all good things. But mostly try to reduce your body fat overall, you will be amazed how great they look.

    Be patient... it takes at least 3 months to really see changes.
  • Abigailblue39
    Abigailblue39 Posts: 212 Member
    I have very muscular legs.

    Sorry, if I came across as as a jerk in my previous post. I have muscular legs, too. That's why I work harder on my upper body to even it out, and really almost don't work out my legs. other than cardio and walking. In my case, running and step made a difference. But I don't run any more (2 meniscus tears and knee surgeries).
  • redheadmommy
    redheadmommy Posts: 908 Member
    I totally understand where are you come from. I have huge calves and always had and my hamstring are humongous.

    I always had quite thick muscular legs, but I really screwed it up with strength training. Few years ago, I started strength training by myself from books. Soon I realized LOVEd squatting and leg press and many others. I was so strong that often in the gym I used leg machined with higher weight than many guys, and I was sooo proud of myself. Well, joke was on me because my hamstring become huge like a women wrestler. Everybody keeps saying, and all websites/books that women won't get too muscular because of lack of testosterone. Well, that maybe true for most women, but not true for me.
    I can not wear long boot because nothing fits my valves.
    I have problem buying non-stretchy pants , because anything that fits my tights 5 size bigger than my waist.
    Seriously my waist line only 3 inch wider then my tights, and I know once I loose my baby weight my waist will be exact same size as my tights.
    i hate that every aerobic DVD is focusing on squats, and lunges and major leg exercises.
    Now the only thing I can do is not do any strength training for legs, except cardio, and try to build up muscle in my super weak upper body, so I won't be so out of proportion.
  • duckpond11
    duckpond11 Posts: 197 Member
    you can't actually lengthen or elogate a muscle - it is attached to the ends of your bone. The shape of your muscles is determined by genetics. I would focus on fat loss (not measured by a scale but by body fat) and I bet you will see them shrink. But I also agree that you gotta love the body you got.
  • Lift_hard_eat_big
    Lift_hard_eat_big Posts: 2,278 Member
    Unfortunately calves are one of those muscle groups that are extremely dependant on one's genetics. But my advice would be to try long distance running at a moderate pace. Look at the body of a long distance runner, they are very lean and skinny. Vs. that of a sprinter which is usally built and bulkier due to the different training methods.
  • losethepuku
    losethepuku Posts: 9
    I have the same problem! I hate winter cos I know I won't be able to find boots that will do up around my calves.. and I'm 5'1 which makes it look so much worse.

    The best thing I found for the days when I hate my calves is heels.. I'm also trying yoga and ballet strength training to smooth the muscles out (fingers crossed) but on the worst days I'll pull out a pair of 2" heels and wow the difference just gives me heaps more confidence to keep going.

    There may be some things we can't change (no matter how much we try) because it's genetic.. so the next best thing we can learn is how to dress it :)
  • summalovaable
    summalovaable Posts: 287 Member
    if you want skinny not muscular legs then diet should be your primary focus. Unless you're doing hours of cardio, no form of strength training should leave you with a skinny look. Though proper strength training will leave you with the "skinny" look you're trying to achieve
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