Naturally bulky calves can be both a blessing and a curse, depending on the point of view. Male bodybuilders usually have a trouble stimulating their calves to grow, while most of the ladies don’t really enjoy having large calves that barely fit in their favorite pair of skinny jeans. And let’s not even mention that wearing skirts or dresses that don’t cover your big calves is a sure way to stand out in a crowd. The terrifying thing is that an increasing number of women who are unsatisfied with the size of their calves are seriously considering calf reduction surgery to help them get the legs they want. Is this really necessary? Not really, because there are others, less invasive and painful methods to slim down your calves which we’re going to uncover in this article.
In order to slim down your calves, you need to perform high reps with light weights. Here are the exercises:
#1. Sumo squats
Stand up with your feet wider than shoulder width apart, toes facing out. Lower yourself down until your thighs are parallel with the floor, keeping your back neutral, and drive yourself back up through your heels. Perform 20 reps to warm up your legs.
#2. Sumo squat calf raises
Isolate the calves by standing tiptoe and squatting down and up from the sumo squat position with feet wider than shoulder width apart. Squeeze your calves hard on your way up. Perform 20 reps.
#3. Running
Have you noticed that runners always have really slim legs? This is because endurance running is one of the best ways to get defined, slim calves. For best results, perform it for 30 minutes at a moderate pace, three times per week.
#4. Skater hops
Lower your body toward the floor, knees slightly bent, then jump off your left leg. Land on the right foot, lifting your left leg behind you, then jump from right to left, lifting the right leg behind you. Keep hopping like this until you complete 15 reps on each side.
#5. Calf raises
For this movement you’ll need a high platform or some stairs. Stand straight with your feet wide apart, toes pointing either straight (equal emphasis on all calve muscles), inwards (emphasis on the inner calves) or outwards (emphasis on the outer calves), and raise your heels off the floor as you exhale by contracting the calves. Hold the top position for a second, then lower back down. Perform 30 reps.
#6. Calf Stretches
Calf stretches will elongate the calf muscles and make them appear slimmer. Choose a wall and support your body weight into the wall with your arms. Put one foot forward and bend the knee at 90 degrees while keeping the other foot back and straight. Push the back leg down by pushing the heels into the ground. Keep the calves of the back leg stretched like this for 30 seconds, then switch legs.
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