QuestionI just moved to a city where a few times a day, because of the geography, i have to walk up an enormous hill. It's great fitness, but genetically, the women in my family have huge calfs. Is it then in the stars that I will have huge calves, especially if I'm going to be doing all this climbing? Is there anything I can do, other than not walk up the hill, to limit their size? Thanks.
AnswerHi Andrea,
sounds like that hill will have you in great shape in no time!! But what sort of shape are you in at the moment? Are the women in your family predominantly larger to therefore have seemingly larger calves, or are they of 'thicker stock'? (I myself also border on the larger calf syndrome so I can understand your reasoning!)
Any exercise of any muscle will tone it, and possibly build more muscle but due to the lack of testosterone us women have it is unlikely that we will get the type of build up that is worrying you. So enjoy that hill, even embrace those stairs!
I would, though, recommend you stretch. Before you head out, after you get to where you need to go and you will find it especially effective before you go to bed. It will reset your muscle spindles back to where they should be and help lengthen the look of your legs. Because you are walking quite a lot, don't just limit the stretching to your calves - hamstrings, quads and even the front of your lower legs can do with a nice stretch, also your glutes.
Try doing some pilates or yoga type exercise during the week that will help stretch but also strengthen at the same time!
Enjoy yourself and any further questions, I am here.
Tara
