Calves have become large

L

loneswaneast

Cathlete
Hi,
I recently saw a photo of myself and the size of my calves shocked me. I have not gained weight, but my calves have really gotten big. I rely on HIIT, running, rowing, climbing hills and cycling for my cardio. Is that working my calves too much? My DNA analysis suggests I have the gene to build muscle quickly. So how to do I get an extended cardio aerobic workout without cause huge calves???? Thanks
 
loneswaneast said:
Hi,
I recently saw a photo of myself and the size of my calves shocked me. I have not gained weight, but my calves have really gotten big. I rely on HIIT, running, rowing, climbing hills and cycling for my cardio. Is that working my calves too much? My DNA analysis suggests I have the gene to build muscle quickly. So how to do I get an extended cardio aerobic workout without cause huge calves???? Thanks
Click to expand...
I would love to have large calves! Enjoy yours.
 
Irolnnyl said:
There’s a huge genetic component with calves. I made peace with mine as I got older. I feel like they help out my ankles and decrease my fall risk
Click to expand...
It's funny how what us women find unattractive can be beneficial for our *HEALTH! Society through conventional media portray unrealistic beauty standards. Women come in various shape and forms
Yes there's a huge genetic component with calves.

Funnily growing up, my dad used to remind me my calves were getting bigger/stronger. It didn't bother me at all. In some cultures, prominent calve is part of beauty standard.

Personally I don't mind working my calves. I definitely would not refrain myself from training for a fear of gaining an incredible hulk look #just saying. Shall it pop at any point, I will embrace it.
 
Last edited:
nckfitheart2009 said:
It's funny how what us women find unattractive can be beneficial for our *HEALTH! Society through conventional media portray unrealistic beauty standards. Women come in various shape and forms
Yes there's a huge genetic component with calves.

Funny growing up, my dad use to remind me my calves were getting bigger/stronger. It didn't bother me at all.
In some cultures, prominent calve is part of beauty standard.

Personally I don't mind working my calves. I definitely would not refrain myself from training for a fear of gaining an incredible hulk look #just saying. Should it pop at any point, I will embrace it.
Click to expand...
Me too!!
 
I don't know what is worse, being body shamed for disproportionately large calves on a 5ft 2 inch women or being shamed for not wanting them to be so big. I believe I have the honest right to assess them as too large, and not wanting to continue something to make them even larger. I do not appreciate being made to feel less than because of that.
I see many of you with dyed hair. How is changing your hair color any different than wanting to keep my legs strong but less large?
 
loneswaneast said:
I don't know what is worse, being body shamed for disproportionately large calves on a 5ft 2 inch women or being shamed for not wanting them to be so big. I believe I have the honest right to assess them as too large, and not wanting to continue something to make them even larger. I do not appreciate being made to feel less than because of that.
I see many of you with dyed hair. How is changing your hair color any different than wanting to keep my legs strong but less large?
Click to expand...
Loneswaneast ... I haven't been following this thread much until your last post ... I'm sorry to read you felt shamed by comments. I don't think that was the intention. But, you're right - people want different aesthetics, and it's individual to each of us. While muscle size is somewhat genetically determined, some exercises can over-develop a set for which we not too happy. I live in an area with lots of hills, except for a few blocks around the center of downtown. We used to joke that you could tell those of us who live in the surrounding, hilly neighborhoods by our calf sizes. Hill walks/climbs will get you larger calves (and glutes!), in my experience. You might try to limit hill climbs for your cardio workouts.
 
Debinmi said:
I don't think that was the intention.
Click to expand...
As far as I am concerned, you are right!

Debinmi said:
people want different aesthetics, and it's individual to each of us. While muscle size is somewhat genetically determined, some exercises can over-develop a set for which we not too happy.
Click to expand...

Absolutely. Some exercices can over develop a responsive body. That is the beauty of sculpting and building an aesthetic we want. It is amazing to see the transformation. Well at least to me!!!

I would not look down on anyone not sharing my views. Neither would I body shame anyone not joining the building party!

All that being said, YOU do YOU! YOU do your aesthetic
Debinmi said:
Hill walks/climbs will get you larger calves (and glutes!), in my experience. You might try to limit hill climbs for your cardio workouts.
Click to expand...
I love hill walks and love the feeling on each step. My hamstring are like hello! It is all good for me.
 
Last edited:
loneswaneast said:
I don't know what is worse, being body shamed for disproportionately large calves on a 5ft 2 inch women or being shamed for not wanting them to be so big. I believe I have the honest right to assess them as too large, and not wanting to continue something to make them even larger. I do not appreciate being made to feel less than because of that.
I see many of you with dyed hair. How is changing your hair color any different than wanting to keep my legs strong but less large?
Click to expand...
I was not shaming you in the least! I am also 5'2" and have always had "thin" calves and was always ashamed of mine. Be proud of what you have! If you feel like people are shaming you, they are most likely jealous or insecure.
LOVE YOUR LEGS, girl!!
 
If your calves are muscular, not fat, there’s not much to do if you want to keep that muscle. I have large calves, and I agree that exercises increase calf size. I use foam rolling on My calves, helps, but without losing muscle, I can’t see losing inches from my calves. Do you want to cut back on exercise? Maybe try all low impact cardio? If you have analyzed the problem correctly as too much high intensity cardio, you may have to choose between larger calves, and the workouts that you enjoy.
 
nickisteen said:
LOVE YOUR LEGS, girl!!
Click to expand...
Spot on, train and play hard to sculpt what you want while you love yourself/your legs.
Life is too short to dwell in such negativity.
nickisteen said:
proud of what you have! If you feel like people are shaming you, they are most likely jealous or insecure.
Click to expand...
People can really throw their own insecurity in such harmful way. Let's be strong by not letting that make us feel inadequate, unattractive or less than a woman. Well at least not me!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Our Newsletter

Get awesome content delivered straight to your inbox.

Top