Expert: Ken Alan - 1/29/2011

Question
Hello!
I've been noticing my calves and thighs. Most of my calves are muscle and my thigh is mostly fat. However I heard that aerobic or cardiovascular exercises were good for the calves and thighs. However this is what's confusing me. Doesn't putting more pressure on calves make it more "bulkier" and increase the muscle mass? I wanna lose some of this bulk because it's showing up too much. So how exactly does running, cycling, jogging help? Doesn't cycling really work the muscles in your calves and just make it bigger?
Main Question(s): What exercises are good for the calves/thighs?
                 
               Doesn't increasing the the pressure on the
               muscle like cycling just make your leg muscles
               bigger?
               
               What stretches should I do to slim the muscles on my calves?

Thanks

Answer
Hi,
I understand your concern.  Your calf muscles are unlikely to get any bigger than they are now, so no need to worry that they are going to keep building and get bulkier unless you do heavy strength training.  You cannot stretch to slim any muscles.  Stretching is good for a lot of things, but it doesn't affect muscle size. No matter aerobic exercise you do, your calf muscles are always working. I suggest you strengthen your thighs so they get in proportion to your calves if you're concerned about your look.  Having strong calf muscles is a good thing.  It allows you to do a lot of activity!  Cycling uses the calf and all of the leg muscles but will not increase the size of them, especially if you've been active.  Aerobic exercise helps reduce bodyfat, and if you have excess body fat, it is beneficial for that.

Hopefully, you'll understand that muscle is a good thing and not be afraid its showing up too much.
Hope this helps.