How to prevent your calves from getting thicker after running?

Nowadays, there are many running enthusiasts who are keen on this sport. They believe that in addition to exercising the body and improving physical fitness, another important reason is that it can help people lose weight and have a good figure. However, some people find after running for a while that their calves have not become smaller but seem to have become bigger. This makes them feel a little helpless. How can they achieve the opposite of what they want? Let’s talk about how to prevent your calves from becoming thicker after running.

Some people worry that running too much will make their calves thicker. There are two reasons for this worry:

1. Poor landing technique leads to illusion. Some people run on tiptoe, which makes their calves tired and tight, and they feel like their calves are "growing". In fact, this is just an illusion. A person's basic shape is innate, and so is the shape of the legs. Your calves won't become noticeably thicker just by running a few times. In aerobic strength training, such as dumbbell exercises and barbell exercises, the muscle expansion rate will not exceed 20%. Therefore, during daily running, even if your calves become thicker, it will not exceed this ratio, and this ratio is almost invisible.

2. Runners believe that running has burned fat, so they can eat more, which will lead to weight gain and thicker calves. It’s not about running itself.

So, what is the running method to prevent your calves from getting thicker?

1. Pay attention to your running posture. The correct running posture should be to transition from the heel to the forefoot.

2. Perform relaxation exercises after running. Stretch and relax your calves, rub them and stretch them.

3. Pay attention to running time and speed. The general aerobic exercise time is 20 to 60 minutes. Excessive exercise will cause muscle fatigue and joint wear. The speed should not be too fast, and the heart rate range of aerobic exercise should be controlled within: (220 age) × (60% - 80%). For example, for a 20-year-old person, his heart rate range for aerobic exercise is 120 to 160 beats per minute. Fat will stop breaking down in an anaerobic state. Outside the above heart rate range, fat will not burn and the exercise effect cannot be guaranteed.

I have told you above how to prevent your calves from becoming thicker after running. I believe it will definitely be helpful for female friends, especially those who want to lose weight by running. To achieve this goal, first of all, you must have the right running posture, and then don’t eat more just because you exercise. Another very important thing is to do stretching exercises before and after running, which can prevent your calves from becoming thicker.