Running and Thighs?

Is running supposed to increase the size of the thigh? And if not, how on earth can I prevent them from becoming larger? Thanks!

iv been running for 3 weeks and my thighs have gotten a TINY little bit bigger, but the muscle is under the fat so as sson as i lose the fat im gonna have the most amazing pins!! :)

you will put on a little muscle but unless your sprinting you wont explode with bulging thighs! think long distance runners. the best long distance runners are super skinny!

Yes, it will. To create long lean muscles and toned legs instead, combine cardio with some sort of leg work out - squats with weights, lunges, step ups, anything of that sort.

Been running for years - thighs never increased or really decreased.  It wasn't until I started riding my bike every day & created a calorie defecit that my legs leaned out.  Also love to do split squats  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkgfJ3sEtzU.  When I measured my thighs 2months ago month they were 20 inches - today they are 19 inches.  I can not stress it enough - if you want leaner thighs you are gonna have to work really hard on a healthy diet & keep the cals down to <NO LESS> then 1,700.  Remember:  you have to feed those muscles - that means lots of lean cut meats, protein, nuts, no/low fat milk & leafy greens.

Well I personally dont think they get bigger, i just think that now that the muscle is showing the muscle is just more bolder to see.... if that makes sense.

I've been running for years and have very strong legs...i.e. too much, I feel like my calf muscles and thighs are too bulky - especially because i'm on ly 5´2".  I've stayed away from doing leg strengthening because I didn't want to make them worse - but if you know what exercises could help i'd love to hear!

I've actually had the opposite from msh happen to me. I've been running for exactly 2 years (started on my b-day 2 years ago, and it's my b-day today).....

I haven't lost a lot of weight (only added exercise, haven't been counting calories or making drastic changes to my eating habits) - only 30lbs in 2 years. That said, I've dropped 3 dress sizes - and probably around 3 or 4 inches off of each thigh.

My thighs are smaller from the running/biking.  Although, it's hard to tell for certain, as I've been running consistently for over three years and only been taking measurements for one year.  But they're way sexier looking like this, so I don't worry about it too much.

Anyway, one thing I do notice is that my legs respond with lots of muscle when I run on hilly terrain.

also, i agree with karakd... thigh size is really more dependent on weight than your activities.  I have definitely noticed this in my own experience.

it affects people in different ways. i dont build muscle that easily, so while i gained muscle tone, it did not make my thighs look big. on the other hand, my best friend who runs builds muscle very quickly; hence, her thighs get smaller when she stops and bigger when she runs...bigger meaning wider due to muscle gain. She personally doesnt like the way running makes her thighs look

My experience is that I have lost inches on my thighs since becoming a consistent runner, still have a way to go as far as fat in that area, but my legs are A LOT leaner than they were... They did increase in size as my muscles built but quickly shrunk back down and continued down from there....

Frustrated11 - tell your friend to buy a tape measure & start writing down the numbers.  If she doesn't like'em big, then tell her to change her routine & more importantly her diet.  If they lean out - she can keep track of what works & ditch the rest.

to msh

Yoga or ballet will tone the legs, but not make them bulky. I love yoga and recommend it as much as I can!

thanks m0m6 - I've done ballet for 23 years, but my instructors always complained that I skied at the same time.  I should take a tape measure and start observing more

Thanks everyone! I wonder if I still have a lot of leftover sprinting muscles or just run too many hills since where I run is extremely hilly, but I don't really think my thighs are very muscular- more just...large.

Thanks again!

I've ran for quite a few years now, my legs just got more toned, not bigger...BUT with teaching several cycle classes, I have noticed the outer parts of my quadriceps a little larger, but soooo much harder and toned. 

phoenix121 Aug 06 2008 21:04 Thanks everyone! I wonder if I still have a lot of leftover sprinting muscles or just run too many hills since where I run is extremely hilly, but I don't really think my thighs are very muscular- more just...large.


Been running a 3K every other day in Nova VA (It's very hilly here).  Since joining CC - I started drinking Trader Joe's Soy Protein Powder <120 cals> after every run.  I've found that the added protein feeds the muscle w/out adding much fat.  Reexamine what you are fueling your body with before/after you run.  

P.S. Trader Joe's Soy protein powder tastes nasty but it's one of the best out there.