Can Exercise Reduce Large Male Breasts?

Many men are impacted by the appearance of enlarged or overdeveloped breasts during the course of their lives. While fairly common, this condition—medically known as gynecomastia—can cause significant self-consciousness and emotional distress. As a result, some men spend a lot of time and money on exercise programs designed to flatten their chests by defining their pectoral muscles. However, while pectoral exercises and weight loss can sometimes help certain men reduce the size of their chest, many others will see little or no difference. This discrepancy can be attributed to the unique composition of male breasts and the different causes of gynecomastia.

Male breasts are composed of a mix of glandular and fatty tissues. In cases where gynecomastia results from an excess of fatty tissue—a condition sometimes referred to as pseudogynecomastia—diet and exercise can sometimes prove effective. However, many cases of male breast enlargement are the result of excess glandular tissue, which is typically not responsive to exercise. Glandular tissue imbalances can be caused by a number of factors, including steroid use, hormonal imbalances, and genetics. In these cases, exercise alone will likely not yield significant results.

Here at The Aesthetic Institute of Chicago, we understand how distressing it can be for men to have enlarged breasts. Fortunately, our board-certified plastic surgeons have extensive experience treating gynecomastia with surgical male breast reduction. During the procedure, one of our highly-qualified surgeons will carefully and precisely remove excess tissue using liposuction and/or excisional techniques. They will then contour the surrounding soft tissue in order to give you a flatter, more defined chest.

If you would like to learn more about male breast reduction, please contact The Aesthetic Institute of Chicago today. Our friendly and experienced staff will be happy to answer any questions you may have or schedule you a consultation with one of our surgeons.