{"id":7590,"date":"2017-07-25T07:22:58","date_gmt":"2017-07-25T07:22:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.rachaelattard.com\/?p=7590"},"modified":"2026-01-20T19:18:02","modified_gmt":"2026-01-20T09:18:02","slug":"do-squats-make-your-legs-bigger-or-smaller","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rachaelattard.com\/do-squats-make-your-legs-bigger-or-smaller\/","title":{"rendered":"Do Squats Make Your Legs Bigger Or Smaller?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you join a gym, attend almost any fitness class, or ask a PT for advice on how to slim down your legs<\/a>\u2013 chances are you\u2019re going to end up doing lots of squats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But, do squats make your thighs bigger or smaller, or do they actually increase thigh size? Will you end up with bigger legs overall and lots of squatting?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is the question I get from a lot of girls, especially the ones who feel like they have issues with getting thinner thighs in general.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, let\u2019s find out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WHICH MUSCLES DO SQUATS WORK?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
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The squat is one of the best compound exercises, meaning multiple muscles are activated at once – your glutes, hamstrings, quadriceps, and calves<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is why squats are included in the majority of fitness programs and routines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Squats will hit multiple muscles at once and (in most cases) give you a fantastic-looking butt<\/a>\u2013 which is the desired fitness goal for most girls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But, doing a high volume of squats (especially with heavy weights) will definitely increase the size of your legs (quads and hamstrings).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So if your goal is to specifically slim down your legs<\/a> \u2013 doing squats is NOT the way to go, as doing lots of squats will most likely make your thighs bigger, not slimmer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Only one female body type can benefit from squats by getting toned legs without becoming bulky. Let me explain how different body types respond to exercise in various ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

DIFFERENT BODY TYPES RESPOND TO EXERCISE DIFFERENTLY <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
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Are your legs getting bigger from doing squats even though you see your friend getting slimmer legs with the same workouts?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You most likely have different body types.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are 3 main female body types- ectomorph<\/a>, mesomorph<\/a>, and endomorph<\/a>, and each responds differently to the same diet and workout regime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And actually, 2 out of 3 female body types can get too muscular<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Endomorphs and mesomorphs build muscle quickly, while ectomorphs usually struggle to gain any muscle size.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some girls don\u2019t mind growing muscles in their legs as long as they\u2019re building a booty, while others feel like their thighs get bulky from doing lots of squats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I was one of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I did lots and lots of squats, hoping to slim down my legs, but ended up feeling bulky, especially in my thighs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My legs grew twice in size. I had trouble fitting into my old jeans and shorts, even though I worked out consistently and closely monitored my diet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, my friend\u2014who followed the exact same gym routine\u2014actually got thinner thighs and toned up her body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I did countless squats and lunges, expecting my thighs to slim down, but instead, I made them bigger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I couldn\u2019t understand what I was doing wrong!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then, I learned about different body types and how to adjust my workout and diet to get the results I wanted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, incorporating a lot of squats into your exercise routine WILL make your legs bigger\u2014especially if you\u2019re a mesomorph or an endomorph.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re not sure what is your body type<\/a>, you can take my FREE quiz that will help you find out in just 2 minutes. :)<\/p>\n\n\n\t\t

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WANT TO KNOW YOUR BODY TYPE?<\/h5>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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