How can it be running doesn't work your legs?

Appleman10 · 10-Mar-03, 09:58 PM

I am High School student, I run about 40 miles a week....by legs get really soar all over. I find it hard to bealieve that I am not working my legs, can someone clarify this for me?

mustang GT · 10-Mar-03, 10:50 PM

You are working your legs. Running is excellent for working the legs. Where did you hear that it doesn't work the legs?

miskiw · 10-Mar-03, 10:59 PM

it's definetly working your legs...but some people on this board may mention that it is not "maximizing your muscle gain on your legs" ..... running is an endurance builder.. while doing heavy squats is "hurting" more muscle fibre hense producing more muscle...

muscle burns fat... so the more muscle you have the faster you will burn off access fat...so standard response is to tell people to incorperate hard weighted leg exercises in their workout to increase muscle mass...(and increase GH levels etc etc)

running is just a different type of training for your legs..but it ain't bad for you...(maybe your knees but that's a different story)

GPX2 · 11-Mar-03, 07:20 AM

You cant compare running to squats for working legs. Go do a set of heavy squats and you will see the difference.

NateDogg · 11-Mar-03, 08:26 AM

If you're referring to what I said recently. I guess I worded it incorrectly. Running will work your legs. However, there are two problems with how they are worked. One, you are mainly working type 1 muscle fibers when running long distances. Type II fibers have more capacity for growth. Two, it is very difficult, if not impossible to provide progressive resistance through a long distance running activity. Progressive resistance is what causes the need for a muscle to grow and become stronger.