Getting the Best Workout for Great Calves

When it comes to getting in shape, men and women have very different ideals and goals. For instance, men want to build the muscles in their calves, while women want to trim theirs. There are many different exercises for the calves that will bring about both results, and either way, getting some exercise is always a good thing to do.

How Men Can Get Bigger Calves

Working out often involves difficult exercises, but some of the easiest are those that help build bigger calves. And these exercises, probably because they are not as difficult and do not cause as much strain as others, do not cause the pain that other exercises do. There are three sections to the calf: the soleus, the tibialis anterior and the gastrocnemius, and there are exercises that specifically target these individual sections, as well as work all three together. Some of the exercises you should add to your workout regime if you want bigger calves include:

• Seated calf raises
• Standing dumbbell calf raises
• Standing barbell calf raises
• Barbell seated calf raises
• Donkey calf raises

There are many other exercises you can add to your daily routine, and soon guys, you will have the large calves you are looking for.

How Women Can Get Smaller Calves

Most women are just the opposite of men - they want to have slimmer, trimmer calf muscles that make their legs look long and sleek. Unfortunately, many women are not blessed with gorgeous calves, but instead, have rather large ones that they want to make slimmer. This is fairly easy to accomplish with a few simple exercises that can be added to any workout routine. For one thing ladies, you need to avoid exercises that build muscles, because this will just make your calves appear even larger. Some of the exercises that are recommenced for reducing calves are:

• Running
• Avoid resistance training, or use light weights
• Stretching (yoga is ideal for this)
• Pilates

It is best to avoid any sort of exercise that involves jumping, or walking or running uphill. The last thing you want to do is build muscles in your calves, which these will do.

With hard work and dedication, you can have the body you've always dreamed of, with the legs, including the calves, to match. It's easy to build or slim your calves, and it only adds a few minutes to your workout - so get to it and have great legs by summer.

Article written by Katie Wilson of Ultimate Fitness Gear, your top source for the Insanity Workout Routine. Get Insanity now online.