I want to start the legs debate. Opinions please

[chinups]

Now I have always done my legs and quite frankly my legs are big and they are strong. I was squating close to 475 pounds for reps a yr ago and I was still sporting some what of a six pack, just to paint a picture so you don't think I am one of those pudgy guys in the corner blowing out legs for heavy weight with no tone. Sorry pudgy dudes

But my question is if I run say everyday or even 4-5 times a week is that like enough legs?????? I mean I would miss squats, quite frankly I really like squating mentally it just does something for you in the weight room but my question is if I have a great base for my legs and I don't want to add size to them would running/cardio everyday or 4-5 times a week enough?????


I know alot of ppl like my HS b-ball coach who does nothing but run everyday and hes like a little rock. I saw him this wkend and couldn't believe how a 70 yr old was in such good shape. Pretty big legs too.

Not sure if I will ever do this but honestly, I believe if you just did cardio you still would have some serious muscle in your leg and if your a everday guy not competing that should be enough for the beach no????

Thanks

[ROBOCOP]

I agree partly cos you see cyclists with huge calves, thighs and hams. As far as running for your leg workouts i would say definately not. Short explosive running/cycling can certainly build and shape the legs but if you are running to gain fitness then youll be running for half an hour a day on average and that wont in my opinion build big legs. To quantify, ask yourself this. How many 1500 meter runners do you see with big legs and thats under 4 minutes workout! Now sprinters do have bigger thighs and hams and their workout lasts under 10 secs!!!!!!!!! You gotta train legs bro

[Flexor]

How many 1500 meter runners do you see with big legs and thats under 4 minutes workout! Now sprinters do have bigger thighs and hams and their workout lasts under 10 secs!!!!!!!!! You gotta train legs bro

Different types of runners have different ratios of fast/slow twitch fibres. You can't compare their leg size, also you are forgetting they put hours of work into their legs in the weight room. Sprinters go for power and size with the weights, longer distance runners do not.

[ROBOCOP]

Different types of runners have different ratios of fast/slow twitch fibres. You can't compare their leg size, also you are forgetting they put hours of work into their legs in the weight room. Sprinters go for power and size with the weights, longer distance runners do not.

Agreed. I am not suggesting that they dont train their legs, as i obviously know they do. My point is that training legs just by running can only shape the muscle at best and not build mass. It will not recruit the compouinds needed for growth. It surely works on the same principle as a normal ratio of reps/sets. The more repetitions the more toned! Jees!!! Dorian Yates swears by the 1 rep. Squatting as heavy as he can for 1 or 2 sets at most. His legs arent exactly slender now are they?

[Flexor]

Agreed. I am not suggesting that they dont train their legs, as i obviously know they do. My point is that training legs just by running can only shape the muscle at best and not build mass. It will not recruit the compouinds needed for growth. It surely works on the same principle as a normal ratio of reps/sets. The more repetitions the more toned! Jees!!! Dorian Yates swears by the 1 rep. Squatting as heavy as he can for 1 or 2 sets at most. His legs arent exactly slender now are they?

No specific exercises help shape a muscle, that's actually a myth. There are 'shaping exercises' though, but they only have an effect on the final stria of the muscle if near full size has been reached. Sprinting will build some mass...

More repetitions does not mean more tone, that is the other myth. Tone is increased by heavy weights, as this means more tension is placed across the muscle. Everybody is different and will respond to different things, also there are many ways to gain size and Yates' HIT method is one of them.

Shape is genetic, and it gets better the bigger you get and the nearer you are to your genetic limits. You can't get good shape before you've got the size and development

[Doc.Sust]

No specific exercises help shape a muscle, that's actually a myth. There are 'shaping exercises' though, but they only have an effect on the final stria of the muscle if near full size has been reached. Sprinting will build some mass...

More repetitions does not mean more tone, that is the other myth. Tone is increased by heavy weights, as this means more tension is placed across the muscle. Everybody is different and will respond to different things, also there are many ways to gain size and Yates' HIT method is one of them.

Shape is genetic, and it gets better the bigger you get and the nearer you are to your genetic limits. You can't get good shape before you've got the size and development

EXACTLY!!!!! flex you know your stuff! with lifting you can build size or strength thats it, you cant lift to get cut. to get cut you do cardio. bottom line is, do some leg work at least once a wk, and with added cardio you legs willl get ample exercise

[ROBOCOP]

I think we may be at cross purposes here. I totally agree that we all respond differently but the fact still remains that building good un adulterated mass can only be achieved with heavy resistance training and not high reps with a lighter weight. May be im misunderstanding you, but im dead in the water if you can achieve mass in your legs with just running!

[Flexor]

I think we may be at cross purposes here. I totally agree that we all respond differently but the fact still remains that building good un adulterated mass can only be achieved with heavy resistance training and not high reps with a lighter weight. May be im misunderstanding you, but im dead in the water if you can achieve mass in your legs with just running!

I totally agree with what you just said. The point I was making was that high reps don't tone, AND they are not generally as good at building mass. You can't achieve mass with just running, no. And also, you cannot change the shape of your muscles, other than increasing their mass and letting the shape come.

[ROBOCOP]

I totally agree with what you just said. The point I was making was that high reps don't tone, AND they are not generally as good at building mass. You can't achieve mass with just running, no. And also, you cannot change the shape of your muscles, other than increasing their mass and letting the shape come.

Hey, its good to hear peoples opinions. We all have them and need to express them once in a while. I love training legs and i train them hard. I used to be heavily into running several years ago and i had the skinniest legs anyone had ever seen, even with the weights. I just didnt train them as hard and heavy as i do now. Thankfully my legs have improved beyond measure over the years, still not huge but if only you could see them back then!!!!

[Flexor]

Hey, its good to hear peoples opinions. We all have them and need to express them once in a while. I love training legs and i train them hard. I used to be heavily into running several years ago and i had the skinniest legs anyone had ever seen, even with the weights. I just didnt train them as hard and heavy as i do now. Thankfully my legs have improved beyond measure over the years, still not huge but if only you could see them back then!!!!

I'm into running a lot, mostly 400 and 800. Weight lifting will help me gain more explosive power for the sprint at the end. I could do with some more size. Btw, its actually proven high reps don't tone

[ROBOCOP]

Btw, its actually proven high reps don't tone

Explain, im interested to know what high reps achieve other than a slight increase in mass or shape. (Is this not toning):

[chinups]

I have large leds to begin with. Gynetics or just yrs of playing sports. I was thinking by running I would not lose the size I have gained but keep it and get more toned. Am I wrong???? I don't want to look like one of those freaks on the beach with there legs rubbing and talking about they can squat 2000 lbs at 30. If I am not competing for anything that is

[ROBOCOP]

I have large leds to begin with. Gynetics or just yrs of playing sports. I was thinking by running I would not lose the size I have gained but keep it and get more toned. Am I wrong???? I don't want to look like one of those freaks on the beach with there legs rubbing and talking about they can squat 2000 lbs at 30. If I am not competing for anything that is

Im not even sure if running will enable you to maintain your size bro. As flexor said, we all respond differently and if youve always had big legs then it may be down to your genetics pure and simple, so maybe its worth a try!

[Flexor]

Im not even sure if running will enable you to maintain your size bro. As flexor said, we all respond differently and if youve always had big legs then it may be down to your genetics pure and simple, so maybe its worth a try!

Agreed!

[JR.SHRED]

If you want your legs to match your upper body, you have to train legs period.IMO

[doby48]

I'm not a track cyclist either but cycling is still a great sport either way... I apologize I need to make a correction to that cyclists can squat 500lbs HOWEVER cyclist do partial squats very frequently and the 500lbs is what they do for a partial squat (10 reps ot 500lb partial squat) not full squat legs parallel.

[lilKimmy2]

Since what you are trying to obtain is purely appearance based I would say that running is a great option, If you are going to begin distance running than you will obviously lose some of the explosive muscle fibers because they will be changed to type I slow twitch , which are typically long and lean. Since I am a track athlete I notice that each event's athlete has a specific body type, distance runners are most efficient at a low weight with very little body fat/muscle tone; the less running there is involved the more muscle mass(power, explosive type II) is added onto the athlete... typical in sprinters, long/triple jumpers, some polevaulters, and then of course your beefy shotputters/throwers! Start puttin in some miles buddy! If your legs are already in great form they will probably react very quickly.

[chinups]

thanks kimmy

Someone actaully read MY thread