How to Get Defined Muscular Jawline: 10 Best Jaw Exercises

As people get older, their face shape starts to change. This happens because fat gathers in the neck, the skin gets loose, and the muscles in the jaw get smaller. This can make the jawline look less sharp.

Even though it’s normal for your face to change because of your genes or getting older, you can do some simple exercises to help make your chiseled jawline look clearer. Working out your neck, chin, jaw, and face muscles can make small changes to your face. This might mean sharper cheekbones and a more noticeable chiseled jawline. 

A study showed that doing facial exercises for 20 weeks made people’s cheeks look fuller and their faces look younger.

Doing these exercises is not just about making your face look better or younger. They can also help stop pain in your neck, head, and jaw. 

Research has found that exercises for your jawline can help lessen problems with temporomandibular disorders, or TMD, which is when you have long-term pain in your jaw muscles and the parts of your jaw that move.

How to Get a Better Jawline?

Strengthening your jaw muscles can be achieved through exercises like neck curl-ups and maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise. 

Your face is often the first thing people notice, and many of us want to look our best since attractiveness plays a significant role in human interaction. This may be rooted in evolution, as certain facial features can indicate health and fertility.

A strong, muscular jawline is generally preferred, a trait admired in iconic figures such as Superman and the actors who portrayed him. 

As we get older, our face changes, with the jawline becoming less defined due to excess fat or shrinking muscles. 

Although aging and genetics are beyond our control, exercises can sculpt a more defined jawline. We turned to experts Dr. Scott Michael Schreiber, a chiropractic physician with specialties in rehabilitation and clinical nutrition, and Cristina Osorio, a TruFusion yoga instructor, for effective jawline workouts.

10 Best Jaw Exercises for Chiseled Jawline

#1 Make a fish face

Here’s another fun way to naturally get a tighter jawline and cheekbones. 

• Make a Fish Face: Suck your cheeks in and purse your lips like a fish. No need for a camera; this is for you!
• Hold the Pose: Keep your face in the fish position for 5-8 seconds. Feel the stretch and tension? That’s good!
• Repeat: Relax your face and then do it again. The more you repeat, the closer you are to those tighter cheekbones and sharper jawline.

#2 Neck curl up

Think of it like a sit-up, but for your neck. You’ll lie on your back and press your tongue against the top of your mouth. This helps work the muscles in the front of your neck.

• Try to touch your chin to your chest, then lift your head just a little bit, about 2 inches off the ground. Make sure not to lift your belly or stick your chin out.
• Start with doing this 3 times in a row, and do that whole thing 10 times. As you get used to it, you can do more.
• Go slow with this because the muscles in your neck might not be used to working like this. You don’t want to hurt your neck by doing too much too soon.

#3 Collar bone backup

You can do this while you are sitting, standing, or lying down on your back.

• Make sure your head is straight, not tilted up or down. Move your head backwards a little to feel the muscles on both sides of your neck tighten and then loosen.
• Begin with doing this 10 times in a row, three times. After that, try to keep your head in that position for more than 30 seconds.
• Remember to keep your ears in line with your shoulders and your head straight.

#4 Tongue Twister

This activity works the muscles under your chin.

• Put your tongue up against the top of your mouth, right behind your front teeth.
• Push your tongue firmly against the top so there’s pressure.
• Start humming to make a buzzing sound. This makes the muscles work.
• Do this 15 times, and repeat 3 times in total.

#5 Say A, E, I, O, U

Shouting the 6 vowels–A, E, I, O, U–loudly is good for making your neck muscles stronger. Here’s how it works:

• Start with “A” and stretch your face muscles while holding it for about 4-5 seconds.
• Move to “E” and do the same thing. Keep this up with all the vowels.
• Notice how your face makes different shapes with each vowel.

#6 Chinup

This activity is great for making your face and chin muscles stronger.

• Keep your mouth shut and stick your lower jaw forward. Then, push up your lower lip.
• You’ll feel a stretch under your chin and along your jaw.
• Hold this position for 10–15 seconds before letting go.
• Do this 15 times, and repeat the whole thing 3 times.

#7 Clench your jaw

To make your jawline look sharper, you can also squeeze your jaw tight for 10 seconds and then let it go. Here’s how:

• Bite down hard for 10 seconds, then relax your jaw.
• You might feel a bit uncomfortable and a little burn in your muscles.
• Repeat this action 10-15 times to help shape your face.

#8. Chew gum

Believe it or not, chewing gum is a super easy way to work out your facial muscles. Here’s why:

• Chewing involves moving your jaw a lot, which helps make your jawline look better.
• It’s also fun to do and doesn’t require any special effort.

#9 Massage your face

Massaging your face is great for improving blood flow, which can make your face look more youthful. Here’s how to do it:

• Use your fingers to gently rub your face in circles. This helps blood move around.
• Before you go to sleep and right after you wake up, massage your face with some essential oil or a light moisturizer.
• Make sure to rub your chin, jaw, temples, and cheeks for a little bit. It can make you feel refreshed.

#10 Smile more

Smiling is not just fun, it’s also good for your face. Here’s why:

• When you smile, it tones your facial muscles, which can help shape your jawline.
• Smiling stretches your cheekbones, giving those muscles a workout too.
• Plus, smiling is a great way to lift your spirits—give it a try!

More Ways to Get Perfect Jawline

If you want a more defined jawline, there are a couple of simple things you can do. First, try to eat less salt. Too much salt can make your body hold onto water, which can make your face look puffier. Second, getting a good night’s sleep is really important. When you don’t sleep enough, your body gets stressed, and this can also lead to water retention and a less sharp jawline. So, cutting down on salt and making sure you get plenty of rest can really help in making your jawline look better.

Important Note: As we age, changes like fat accumulation in the neck, loosening skin, and muscle size reduction can blur the jawline. However, genetics and aging aside, certain exercises can sharpen the jawline. Studies have indicated that facial exercises can make the cheeks fuller and the face appear younger, while also potentially alleviating neck, head, and jaw pain, including issues related to temporomandibular disorders (TMD).

Conclusion

Achieving a well-defined, muscular jawline is possible through a combination of specific exercises and healthy lifestyle choices. While aging and genetics play roles in the shape and definition of our facial structure, incorporating exercises that target the neck, chin, jaw, and facial muscles can significantly enhance the appearance of the jawline. These exercises are not only effective in toning the facial muscles but also offer additional benefits such as reducing pain and discomfort in the neck, head, and jaw areas, as well as improving overall facial aesthetics by making the cheeks look fuller and the face appear younger.

Practicing exercises like making a fish face, performing neck curl-ups, and engaging in jaw clenching, along with mindful habits such as eating less salt and ensuring adequate sleep, can lead to noticeable improvements. It’s important to remember that consistency is key; regular practice combined with a healthy lifestyle can help in achieving the desired results. Moreover, these activities, especially when incorporated into daily routines, can boost mood and enhance well-being.

In summary, striving for a chiseled jawline goes beyond superficial appearance. It involves adopting a holistic approach that includes exercise, nutrition, and self-care, ultimately contributing to both physical health and confidence. So, whether it’s through the ten best jaw exercises recommended by experts or simple lifestyle adjustments, working towards a stronger jawline can be a rewarding endeavor that supports both your aesthetic goals and overall health.