I run a lot, but I dont want big calves. What should I do?

Question

Any suggestions? and noo, i dont want to stop running! thanks!

Answer 1

Running is not the kind of exercise that builds large muscle mass--large muscle mass comes from/is good for short, intense bursts of exertion.

Running gives you the longer muscle that provides reserves of strength for...exercises like running.

But, besides that, avoid starchy foods before your run (potatoes especially) and maybe mix in some yoga to elongate your muscles so the activity is dispersed along the leg.

And don't run stairs or use leg weights.

Answer 2

YOU DONT WANT BIG CALVES?!!!(that could be a good thing;) well, if you don't want big calves, what you do about it depends on few things.
1. Your height.
2. Your body type at the moment.
3. Age.
These are the three maing things to consider. Your height and body type should be considered together because both have to do with your overall weight and which muscles that weight is transfered to. Then you also have to consider your leg length. the longer, the better, the shorter the worse. The longer means that you don't have to worry about big calves. Unless you are overweight.(You're probably not overweight.)
The age thing comes to play in how much time you want to devote to toning your calves. The older you are, the harder it is. And yes, the younger you are, the easier it is. Regeneration of muscle tissue when older is slower.
All this in consideration with they type of stride you take, and you should be on your way in to answering your own question.
This is probably not the best answer, but I always make things to complicated.
good luck on the calves.

Answer 3

Getting big calves depends on your body type. I run a lot too--up to 70 miles a week. I do not have big calves and I never will. I have lean muscles though. If you have short, compact muscles then you probably already have big calves--nothing you can do about it. Distance running isn't going to bulk them up. If you are sprinting maybe your calves will get bigger.

What's wrong with defined calves anyhow?

Answer 4

Keep running, make sure you use self myofascial release-foam rolling, and stretch-the best time to stretch is after your workout. Sprinting, running up a lot of hills, and heavy weight training for calves gets them big and bulky.

Answer 5

I run alot and genetically i have muscular calves. I find that when i run alot, they get leaner than when i don't. If you do not have big calves now, running will NOT make them big, just more toned, which is a good thing.

Answer 6

Don't worry, running wont give you big calves. Standing for long periods of time, gives you big calves. Look at Japanese girl's calves, dikon legs, its because they stand for long periods of time on the train.

Answer 7

Isn't it usually a person's thighs that get big from running? Well, either way, why not alternate some pilates? That type of exercise works with elongating the muscles instead of bunching it up and making it bigger.

Answer 8

I've never seen a runner with big calves. Shapely and muscled, yes, but not bulky.

Answer 9

you can still run, but make sure you are doing elongating exercises for your legs, like the ones in pilates . . you need to make sure you are stretching well after your runs too

Answer 10

there are other exercise you can do to pump them up. there is a body building page in this article that could help you out