How to make my calves leaner?

Magenta

Hi all,

I am a girl and have always had large calves- the calves themselves are muscley and there is fat on top which makes them bigger again (I am about a stone overweight).

Aside from getting rid of the fat on top, is there any way I can make the muscle underneath a bit leaner? Or at least, any exercises I can avoid that would bulk them up?

At the moment I work out 3-4 times a week.
I might spend an hour on the cross trainer about 2-3 times a week at a medium resistance. Alternatively I go to BodyPump (weights), spinning or a BodyAttack (aerobics) class.
I have heard that Pilates helps to make muscles leaner, is that true?

Thanks

Brian?

I wouldn't worry about "bulking" up your calfs, the cardio you're doing won't do that. Losing weigh overall is the only way to make them smaller, you can't spot reduce fat.

G86

They're going to look leaner anyway once you drop the fat. I doubt they'll look 'bulky', work with what you've got - shapely calves are a good thing!

drdeadlift

Some folks just have big calves,you will loose size once you loose a few pounds.

Rossin

I've been told by my physio to make mine stronger,apart from standing on your tippy toes with weights in your hands is there anything else you can do? Maybe thats all I need to do I dunno...

Brian?

Rossin wrote: »

I've been told by my physio to make mine stronger,apart from standing on your tippy toes with weights in your hands is there anything else you can do? Maybe thats all I need to do I dunno...

You can do calf raises:

http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/Soleus/LVSeatedCalfRaiseH.html

http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/Gastrocnemius/DBStandingCalfRaise.html

Rossin

perfect, thanks