Whether you’re a man or woman, a more defined jawline is an attractive physical trait. It enhances our profile and gives our face much-needed definition. However, for many of us, a chiseled jawline seems out of reach because you can’t just change your bone structure… right?
Although you can’t change your underlying facial bone structure, you can tone and better your facial muscles. Let’s talk about how to do that because there’s more ways than you would expect to enhance your profile and appearance.
Note: Before we get into jawline exercises, it is important to keep in mind that most of this comes down to just genetics. You can definitely give your jawline better definition by following these steps, but the fundamental basis will always be your inherited bone structure. There’s no way around that, but don’t let that discourage you.
How Jawline Exercises Work
Like working out any muscle in your body, working out your face muscle is no exception. Because your face muscles are more closely linked to your dermis (skin) however, toning them will have more of an impact. They are also more delicate, so you can’t work them out like you would any other muscle.
The main muscle which gives your jawline definition is the masseter muscle. However, the masseter muscle is part of a greater muscle group in your face known as the muscles of mastication. These muscles also include the buccinator muscle which is also worked out through jawline exercises. These muscles are unknowingly one of the most powerful in your entire body, being able to apply something like 200 lbs of force. They are responsible for bringing together your mandible and maxilla so the joints of the jawline work together.
So, as you might imagine, jawline exercises target these muscles of mastication. The idea is, by working out these muscles, they will become toned and slightly grow in mass like any other muscle. The end result is a more chiseled jawline.
Why Should I Do Jawline Exercises?
The simple reality is that don’t workout our neck and faces enough.
As Dr. Scott Michael Schreiber, a chiropractic physician, explains that the front neck muscles are often “underdeveloped, inhibited, and almost never excited ina gym or therapy setting.” Oftentimes, this is a cause for “droopy neck or neck pain,” he says. Of course, this has become even more common nowadays given that we spend so much time in front of our computers.
We have also grown far too accostomed to soft foods which has weakened our jaw muscles. This is why we have something of an “epidemic” of recessed jaw lines in the Western world. It’s a strange phenomenon once you begin to notice it. It’s no wonder that some like Stanford biologist Paul R. Ehrlich has said that our malformed jaws have become a “hidden health epidemic.” This is largely due to our sedentary habits. The problem, however, is now beginning to be diagnosed more and more.
The solution, then, must be to workout the jawline muscles to retrain and strengthen them. And that’s exactly what jawline exercises do.
Jawline Exercises to Try
Getting a chiseled jawline is going to require some work. However, don’t worry. Luckily, the easiest way to achieve a more defined jawline can be done without needing to dedicate specific time to it.
Chew Some Gum
Sounds a little too easy, doesn’t it? Yet, it makes sense. What better way to work out your jawline muscles than to simply chew some gum? In fact, we have an entire article about chewing gum to improve your jawline.
Not only is gum chewing working out all your masseter muscles, but it’s so easy to stick to. Personally, I love chewing gum as a way to de-stress so it’s a win-win. Best of all, I don’t need to dedicate any time to jawline exercises: just chew and continue on with your regular day.
When it comes to chewing gum as a jawline exercise, you’re going to want to chew something that’s sturdy. Turkish Falim gum is the most popular choice for this — it’ll last you as long as you can chew.
Oh, and if you get tired, take a break: don’t overexert yourself. Too much repetitive mastication without giving your muscles time to recover can lead to TMJ disorders and other forms of jaw pain. Just make sure to do this in moderation.
DIY Jawline Exercises
If you don’t want to rely on just chewing gum, there are also other exercises to try for a more defined jawline.
1. The Sitting Down
Sitting down in a chair with your back erect, look straight forward. Drop your jaw down as far as you can. Hold this position for 20 seconds then return back to your starting one. Do this about 20 times daily.
2. A Good Night’s Sleep
Sit down in front of a mirror with our back straight. Clench your teeth as tightly as you can and smile while doing it. You should feel your cheek muscles tighten as you use your muscles of mastication. Relax. Do this twice in 10 repetitions. Well-suited before going to bed.
3. The Kiss
This one has been commonly mentioned on many health blogs. Look up at the sky and put your chin out while kissing the air. Really try to exaggerated the kiss so you feel the entire lower-half of your face tense up. Repeat this around 15 times. You should feel pressure in your neck and jawline afterwards.
4. The Nose Touch
Touching your nose with your tongue is obviously impossible, but try to get as close you can. You will feel the full in your lower-face. This exercise targets the muscles around the mouth.
5. The Neck Curlup
The last jawline exercise to try on our list is one that requires a little more exertion. For this one, you’re going to need to lie on the floor with your tongue pressed on the roof of your mouth. This will activate the front neck muscles. Next, you’re going to want to bring your chin to your chest and lift your head off the ground (about 2 inches or so). Do 3 sets of this for 10 repetitions. These are effectively “neck curlups” but don’t do them too fast or you might strain yourself.
These are just a few exercises to try to workout an underdeveloped jawline and neck. They should routinely be done every morning or before you go to bed to see actual results. However, these things take time: give yourself at least a few weeks before you see noticeable changes to your face.
An Alternative: Jawline Exercisers
One alternative that we’ve seen pop up here and there in our research on jawline exercises is certain tools which promise faster results. These devices are designed to isolate certain muscle groups to tone them. One of the more famous examples is Jawzrsize.
Here at Mewing Transformation, we’ve already reviewed a couple of popular jaw exercise tools: Facial Flex and Jawzrsize. Both of these nifty devices give your entire face a well-rounded workout. Clinically tested, the reviews for both have been largely positive.
Just as Important: Mewing
Jawline exercises are one thing, but just as important is proper tongue posture. By having proper tongue posture, you can correctly orient your face to allow for proper jawline development. This will better accentuate jawline exercises and ensure you have long-term results.
If you don’t know where to start with mewing, don’t worry. Luckily, we wrote up an entire guide on the subject already. There you will find all the information you need on mewing, the evidence, and all the problems people usually run into when they first start.
Final Words of Advice
By adopting a jawline exercise routine, you can workout your masseter and buccinator muscles to accentuate your profile and give your jawline definition.
However, keep in mind that you can’t isolate face fat. If you’re someone who suffers from a double chin, you won’t see definitive results with jawline exercises. Instead, you’re going to need to adopt a general exercise routine to lose weight overall. Jawline exercises can’t lessen fat in certain areas. All they can do is tone specific muscle groups in your face. Keep that in mind.
Another parting word of advice I would suggest to you is to be always conscious of your posture. Not just oral posture, but general posture as well. Oftentimes, double chins and poor jawline development is associated with slouching. We may have gotten into these bad habits due to poor posture when on the computer. Regardless, keep this in mind when doing jawline exercises.
All that being said, go forth and get that chiseled jawline you’ve always wanted!