muscles and running
- Thread starter acdc554
- Start date
running up hills seems to have really developed my thighs.
Running up steep hills is also great for your calves. It really depends on what type of muscle your trying to build, long distance running tends to result in the development of slow twitch muscle fibres which results in lean looking muscle opposed to fast twitch muscle fibres that result in bulky muscles, as seen in sprinters. If you want the lean muscles, then your on the right track. If your looking for bulky explosive muscles then sprint training is the way forward for you.
I've tried to explain this in as simple and coherent way as possible, if I have failed, I do apologise
regards
Ally
I've tried to explain this in as simple and coherent way as possible, if I have failed, I do apologise
regards
Ally
actually, excessive running (cardiovascular training) burns muscle tissues. and that's a fact.
Yes you can feel the burn in your calves while running, (from fatique) that is of course normal but in the long haul, if your trying to LOSE muscle, do alot of cardio :]
in ur case, your trying to build calve muscles. limit your cardio to 1 x a week, do more squats/leg exercises that target your calves./hams/quads with free weights preferrably
Yes you can feel the burn in your calves while running, (from fatique) that is of course normal but in the long haul, if your trying to LOSE muscle, do alot of cardio :]
in ur case, your trying to build calve muscles. limit your cardio to 1 x a week, do more squats/leg exercises that target your calves./hams/quads with free weights preferrably
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ally c said:Running up steep hills is also great for your calves. It really depends on what type of muscle your trying to build, long distance running tends to result in the development of slow twitch muscle fibres which results in lean looking muscle opposed to fast twitch muscle fibres that result in bulky muscles, as seen in sprinters. If you want the lean muscles, then your on the right track. If your looking for bulky explosive muscles then sprint training is the way forward for you.
I've tried to explain this in as simple and coherent way as possible, if I have failed, I do apologise
regards
Ally
running doesn't build any muscle at all, it is mainly to help burn calories.
weight lifting builds
cardiovascular training destroys :]
As i mentioned, if you read it carefully, it builds slow twitch muscle fibres which aren't bulky, but high in density, and so appear small, to say that running doesnt build muscle is quite an apalling statement. Check out the calves of any experienced fell runner and you'll take you words back, it may not be huge and bulky like a sprinter, but they will be solid, and well defined.
You can always look at http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/body/factfiles/fastandslowtwitch/soleus.shtml for a simple explanation of muscle fibres that may help you understand before making such bold statements.
You can always look at http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/body/factfiles/fastandslowtwitch/soleus.shtml for a simple explanation of muscle fibres that may help you understand before making such bold statements.
ally c said:
yes to an extent, I've to take my hat off to you, good read.
;however, the issue with the guy who started the thread is that he wants to bulk his calves up & quads like, build size, which running won't obviously accomplish like you said, its not as bulky, but high in density/small.
overall, most hardcore runners are slim and slender, not big in size at all. If your looking to build muscle mass in your legs, look @ weight training IMO & of course a surplus caloric diet.
I have to agree with you on that lol he says he wants 'beasty' calves, it depends how you define 'beasty', my beasty maybe calves that can help me run up the final climb of a mountain marathon, whereas somebody else's could be bulky, explosive calves that will help you sprint at a great speed up a short climb.
Let us agree that it is simply a matter of perception, and every individual could have a differing view?
Ally
lol he says he wants 'beasty' calves, it depends how you define 'beasty', my beasty maybe calves that can help me run up the final climb of a mountain marathon, whereas somebody else's could be bulky, explosive calves that will help you sprint at a great speed up a short climb.Let us agree that it is simply a matter of perception, and every individual could have a differing view?
Ally
ally c said:I have to agree with you on that
Let us agree that it is simply a matter of perception, and every individual could have a differing view?
Ally
agreed
Joey007
i gues i should of been more specific, i dont want like, freakishly larg cafs but i would not want chicken legs...is biking a good way to build muscle because i want to still have a good heart..and how bout swimming?..i also weight lift but running miight effect growth on muscles..but thats just a guess
acdc554 said:
lol, the size of your calves is genetics *when starting*, if you want big calves, u have to weight train, and running like Ally said, will give you the defined look, maybe chicken-leg like but still, its genetics. i've seen obese people with chicken legs in the gym alot. and I've seen skinny guys with huge calves.
your confused I can see, if u see cardio as a way to build leg muscle, look elsewhere, weight training will help you build up your calve muscles to an extent, once you like what you have. stop training your calves so hard IMO.