You may be able to strengthen the muscles in your jaw with exercises such as neck curl-ups, collarbone backups, tongue twisters, and more.

As we age, the shape of our faces goes through changes. Your jawline may become less defined if there is extra fat in the neck and jaw area, or if the muscles have begun to shrink.

While you can’t avoid aging or genetics, there are some things you can do to help improve the look of your jawline. Exercising the jaw muscles helps build them up and gives your jaw a more defined look.

To find exercises that work, we consulted two experts. Dr. Scott Michael Schreiber is a chiropractic physician who is double board certified in rehabilitation and clinical nutrition. Cristina Osorio is a TruFusion yoga instructor.

According to Schreiber, the front neck muscles are often underdeveloped, inhibited, and rarely exercised in a gym or therapy setting. “They can be a major cause of a droopy neck and a hidden cause of neck pain,” he says.

The muscles he’s talking about attach from the sternum and collarbone (clavicle) to various parts of the jawbone (mandible). Exercises 1 and 2 are from Schreiber, and 3 to 5 are from Cristina Osorio.

Schreiber says that, with the proper form, “These exercises should not only sharpen the jawline, but also prevent neck pain, headaches, and jaw pain.”

He warns that, if you feel pain, you should stop right away. This likely means that the form is not correct and you could hurt yourself.

You may also wish to contact a doctor for advice before beginning exercises to help sharpen your jawline.

Your doctor can advise on other tips that may help define your jawline. For example, they may recommend maintaining a moderate weight and getting enough regular exercise or physical activity, as higher body fat can make the jaw appear wider, according to 2022 research.

Jaw exercising products are also available. A 2024 report found that jaw exercising products had minor benefits, if any, so you may wish to try the exercises below before considering purchasing a jaw exercising product.

Think of this as an abdominal curl for your neck. It’s done lying on your back with the tongue pressed on the roof of the mouth. This activates the front neck muscles.

  1. Bring your chin to your chest and then lift your head off of the ground about 2 inches. Don’t lift your stomach and don’t poke your chin out.
  2. Start by doing 3 sets for 10 repetitions and gradually build up to more.
  3. Take your time because these muscles are often underdeveloped and can cause neck strain if you try too much too fast.

This can be done seated or standing.

  1. Start in an upright position, either sitting or standing.
  2. Keeping your head in a neutral position, bring your head back several inches to feel muscles on either side of your throat contract and relax.
  3. Start with 3 sets of 10 repetitions at first, and then progress to holding the position for more than 30 seconds.
  4. Make sure that your ears stay over your shoulders and your head stays level.

This exercise will target the muscles underneath the chin.

  1. Place your tongue on the roof of your mouth directly behind your teeth.
  2. Press your tongue to completely close the roof of your mouth and add tension.
  3. Begin humming and making a vibrating sound. This will activate the muscles.
  4. Complete 3 sets of 15.

These movements target the muscles around the mouth and on the sides of the lips.

  1. Open your mouth wide, then say “O,” followed by “E.”
  2. Be sure to exaggerate these sounds and movements and not show or touch your teeth.
  3. Perform 3 sets of 15.

This exercise helps lift the chin muscles.

  1. With your mouth closed, push your lower jaw out and lift your lower lip.
  2. You should feel a stretch build just under the chin and in the jawline.
  3. Hold the position for 10 to 15 seconds, then relax.
  4. Perform 3 sets of 15.

Some exercises that can help with sharpening or defining the jaw include neck curl-ups, collarbone backups, tongue twisters, vowel sounds, and chin-ups.

Speak with a doctor for more information about ways to define the jawline. They may recommend some exercises, as well as general tips such as maintaining a moderate weight and getting enough physical activity.