Is it possible to make calf muscles smaller

This exercise works both your calves and ankles. One of the best ways to increase calf size is to do standing calf raises. This exercise emphasizes the gastrocnemius , the largest muscle in the calf. It can be done with or without weights. For an extra challenge, you can try doing single-leg calf raises.

Bend one knee to lift your foot off the floor and raise the other heel. Switch sides and repeat. This exercise combines a wide-stance squat with a heel raise. It works your calves, glutes, thighs, and core, making it a great multitasking exercise. Many people have a hard time increasing the size of their calves. This is usually due to factors like genetics, age, and body weight.

To build your calves, focus on exercises that specifically challenge your calf muscles. Talk to your doctor or a personal trainer before starting a new exercise routine, or if you want more information on ways to build your calves.

Lunges can be used to work several muscles in your lower body, including your quads, glutes, and hamstrings. You can also target additional muscles by…. Muscles in your legs can get tight after exercising or playing sports. Here are four leg stretches to improve flexibility and reduce the risk of…. Many people wonder whether it's OK to work out while they're sick. How do you spot a friend lifting weights? But, minor changes might be possible.

If your calf size is due to fat, then your response on how to lose calf fat is the same as losing weight overall. But keep in mind that legs are the hardest place to lose fat and tend to be the last place for women, so it will take more time to see the results. In that case, you can avoid certain exercises to prevent your calf muscles from getting bigger.

You could have caused your calves to increase in size due to the type of exercise that you have been doing, especially if you are a mesomorph or endomorph. You see, there are 3 body types and they all lose weight and build muscle differently, and 2 out of 3 body types can bulk up easily. You will get also get tips on how to eat and train according to your type to get the best possible results.

I will discuss in detail the type of exercises that may cause muscular calves and which workouts you should avoid. If your calves were previously slim and exercise was the reason they bulked up, then you can definitely get them back to the way they were before! All the exercises below are great for overall fitness and fat loss, but if your main goal is to slim your calves, then you should definitely avoid:.

Running does actually build some muscles in your calves, but running is so good for you, and good for slimming down your legs in general, that I would be hesitant to stop running. That said, if it seems like your calves bulk up easily, I would make sure that you are always running on a flat surface — an incline will increase your calf size. To get rid of the calf muscle size if you bulked it up , avoid Stairmaster and running with an incline on a treadmill.

Just like cardio at an incline, anything that involves walking or running uphill will build muscle in your calves. This includes hill sprints but also things such as hiking often unfortunately and step machine. Lots of women ask me if skipping is good for slimming down legs.

The answer is no, not really. Skipping uses mostly your calves, so it will bulk them up quickly if you have a genetic predisposition for muscular calves. If you do, better avoid it. I talk a lot about the benefits of cardio for fat loss and lean legs, and in this case, more importantly, reducing the muscle from your calves and legs in general.

Low-intensity cardio burns fat and in some cases, even muscle and will decrease your overall body mass, so it will help make your calves smaller.

Try power walking, steady — state running both on a flat surface or swimming —a great cardio workout. Read more: 1,Calorie Diet to Lose Weight. While it's true that spot reduction reducing fat in one area of the body is a myth, there are some exercises designed to build calf muscles that you should avoid at all costs if you don't want to beef up your calves even more. This includes exercises like calf raises, box jumping and jumping rope.

In addition, you can prevent your calves from swelling by taking more breaks at work to walk around, drinking more water and consuming less sodium. Just note that, according to the Mayo Clinic , you should seek immediate medical care if your calf swelling is accompanied by chest pain or difficulty breathing; this could be the sign of a blood clot or heart condition. Fitness Training How To Gain muscle.

Lisa Maloney, CPT. Lisa holds a personal trainer certification through the University of Alaska Anchorage, with more than 4, hours of hands-on experience working with a variety of client needs, from sports teams to post-rehab populations and weight loss, in one-on-one, small group and large group settings.

Justine Harrington. Be sure to keep your knee on track; do not allow it to cave inward or roll out. The focus of this move is to improve balance and stability.

Each time you jump, make sure the rope passes under your feet. Focus on keeping your elbows in close to your body, rebounding off of only the balls of your feet heels should not touch the ground , and finding a breathing rhythm. Aim to perform 5 sets of 1-minute jump roping with 30 to 60 seconds of rest in between. Feel free to adjust this to a longer time to increase the challenge.

You can also attempt double-unders the rope must pass under your feet two times in between jumps to make this move more advanced. Cankles will soon be a thing of the past if you work on training these muscles and adopting a mindful, healthy lifestyle.

Small calves can be one of the most challenging muscle groups in the body to build. If you want to make them bigger or stronger, there are specific…. Many people wonder whether it's OK to work out while they're sick. How do you spot a friend lifting weights? Here's the basic spotting technique for common exercises, as well as tips to keep your workout safe and….

Pelvic floor exercises are important, no matter your gender