Leg ex - one leg bigger than other!

TKD SC

Hi all,
Sorry this isn't really MA q's, but have been searching internet and figure someone here might know the ans. A friend of mine - a girl, has one leg that's bigger than the other. Not by much but is noticeable if pointed out to you. I know most people aren't symmetrical and this is normal enough, but she is looking for some ex's that would help slim down that leg.

Some things I read say it's not possible to isolate a muscle group like this for fat loss while others say it is. Also, by doing various leg exercises I don't know if that builds up the leg / muscle (making it even bigger!) or if it loses some fat, builds lean muscle and makes leg smaller (desired effect). Women, unlike men will not build bulky muscles (to be avoided!) by doing regular leg ex's.

So, in summary, will specific leg ex's add to muscle and make leg bigger or help change fat to lean muscle and make smaller? And, is possible to concentrate on just one leg? Any good ex's for this?

At the moment, she runs a bit and does some aerobic classes - nothing that would mean placing emphasis on one leg over another.

Thanks guys,

Simon

Roper

My understanding of muscle imbalance (and it is limited) is that if you do something in which you can't use one leg more over another, like say single leg squats and do the same amount of work on each leg, then sooner or later the imbalance sorts itself out. Running should be the same but it would have to be over a good distance I think as the stronger leg would have to be fatigued to correct any stride imbalance later on.

But I'm open to correction as always!

The Shane

Any idea the reason for this?

Is she unable to use one side - I have a flatter left foot and as such my right calf is a bit bigger as I can do more on it and my foot doesn't get tired as fast on the right. Or is it down to some sport she plays that causes a muscle imbalance?

I don't like the idea of trying to build one side in isolation of the other. I just don't.

Correct form on exercises should solve the problem.

Shane, The

eoghan.geraghty

It would be easier to build up the smaller one to match the bigger one.
It is not possible to spot reduce fat by exercise.
By concentrating on one leg for extensions and keeping all other things equal (diet, existing exercise regime) that leg should increase in muscle size rather than reduce.

TKD SC

Hi guys,

The Shane: no reason for this. She doesn't play any sports really and only does aerobic classes and walking, running. Nothing that would put more emphasis on one leg over the other. It's weird really!

Eoghan: Yes, but she'd prefer to "build down" the bigger one to match the smaller one! By concentrating on the one leg, would the muscle increase be lean muscle?, replacing any fat with the lean muscle and hence reduce the size of the leg? As in its basically toning up the leg, but she could tone up the bigger one more so. Since she's not on steroids! or anything, I don't think the muscle will really bulk up anyway. Or do you think it still won't help reduce it and she's better just exercising away as normal?

tbh, it's not a major deal, and you wouldn't notice unless pointed out to you. I do find this topic of spot exercise (either for inc. / dec. in size interesting though). Personally I don't think you can spot ex fat, but i do think you can spot ex muscle. Whether that muscle makes your arm or leg or whatever it is bigger or not I'm not sure - I would have thought it would really, but height of my scientific knowledge is Biology in 3rd yr school!

Thanks guys.

Griffin1983

your gf is just a little unlucky is all. Everybody, to some extent is lopsided though in most it isn't noticable. i'm a fitness, pilates instructor and personal trainer and an important element of the pilates pt is alignment, posture and so forth. What phyiscal habits you lady has in her whole life will leave some impresion on her body.
first of all you CANNOT turn fat into muscle, hear this all the time in the gym. 2 totally seperate things and quite unrelated. Her best bet is to reduce her overall body fat while working the other leg using isolation exercises eg leg curls, extensions of even single leg squats.
just reasure your girl that though this proably seems glaringly obvious to her noone else will ever notice, every one in the world is the same. human beings just dont grow perfectly symmetrical.

Griffin1983

your gf is just a little unlucky is all. Everybody, to some extent is lopsided though in most it isn't noticable. i'm a fitness, pilates instructor and personal trainer and an important element of the pilates pt is alignment, posture and so forth. What phyiscal habits you lady has in her whole life will leave some impresion on her body.
first of all you CANNOT turn fat into muscle, hear this all the time in the gym. 2 totally seperate things and quite unrelated. Her best bet is to reduce her overall body fat while working the other leg using isolation exercises eg leg curls, extensions of even single leg squats.
just reasure your girl that though this proably seems glaringly obvious to her noone else will ever notice, every one in the world is the same. human beings just dont grow perfectly symmetrical.

Griffin1983

dont know why that posted twice

Black Swan

Would the Fitness forum under Rec address this better than SD&MA?

eoghan.geraghty

I think her bodyfat percentage levels in both legs are equal, therefore the leg that is bigger already has more lean muscle mass, but as its bigger its surrounding area of fat is also bigger.
The only solution I can see is to reduce her overall level of bodyfat.
Now if you can manage to relate that to her without either getting a smack in the face or the silent treatment you are indeed skilled in the much underrated art on tact-kwon-do.
Best of luck with it, and as griffin says if it needs to be pointed out then most people won't even notice.My right leg is noticeably smaller and a little shorter than my left since a bike accident, but people don't see it til its pointed out.

TKD SC

Hi Eoughan and Griffin,

Thanks for the replies. Luckily it's not my g/f or as you say I'd be into tact-kwon do! Just a friend - asked her to measure and she said the difference was 1cm!! I actually then measured my own leg out of interest and my right is 1cm bigger than my left (both at thigh level and calf level). It's probably less common for people to actually have them equal! Maybe we should do a poll!

Anyway, I still think the idea of spot training for fat / muscle is interesting. Griffin - you mention you cannot turn fat into muscle? Does muscle just build on more muscle then, ie, your muscles get bigger when you do weightlifting etc? On the same side so, does muscle not turn into fat when the person lets themselves go? Or does the muscle just shrink and any fat issues are totally seperate re: diet and ex?

Thanks,
Simon