{"id":7642,"date":"2017-08-02T06:04:58","date_gmt":"2017-08-02T06:04:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.rachaelattard.com\/?p=7642"},"modified":"2025-11-04T14:32:18","modified_gmt":"2025-11-04T04:32:18","slug":"why-are-my-legs-getting-bigger-from-running","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rachaelattard.com\/why-are-my-legs-getting-bigger-from-running\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Are My Legs Getting Bigger From Running?"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n

I get a lot of complaints from women who have found their legs getting bigger from running, which isn’t the desired results for most of us. So let me explain why this is happening.<\/p>\n\n

Why Are My Legs Getting Bigger From Running?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

Running uses your glutes, quadriceps, hamstring and calves constantly<\/em>, meaning that your leg muscles are\u00a0working and this will cause them to develop and get bigger in size. <\/em><\/p>\n\n

Any form of exercise that engages your muscles will cause them to grow in size<\/em>. However, some exercises cause more muscle growth than others.<\/p>\n\n

Running will not build as much muscle as\u00a0weightlifting, sprinting\u00a0and high-intensity interval training.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
BEFORE AND AFTER PIC OF OUR COMMUNITY MEMBER<\/h5>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n
\n
\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGET THIS PROGRAM<\/span>
\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>
\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section><\/div>\n\n

Let’s Talk About Sprinting<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

We all know that sprinters have very muscular physiques, especially compared to distance runners. Sprinting<\/a> engages your muscles more and focuses on muscular power. Therefore, sprinting\u00a0will build more muscle than just steady state running.<\/p>\n\n

Doing a lot of sprint training and plyometric type exercises will develop a more muscular look, but will also help you get lean. If you don’t mind this\u00a0look, then this is probably a great style of workout for you. If not, it might be best to avoid these style of workouts.<\/p>\n\n

When I was training for a triathlon, I used fast past interval runs (not a full on sprint) to help me develop my cardio fitness quicker. It definitely did this, but what I found was that it actually helped me lean out my legs quicker too.<\/p>\n\n

If you still want to include some cardio interval training, have a read of this blog post <\/a>which explains how to do the fast past runs.<\/p>\n\n

It Depends On Your Body Type<\/b><\/h3>\n\n

Your ability to get bulky muscle from running\u00a0depends on your body type. If you don’t know your body type, click here<\/a> to find out.<\/p>\n\n

Ectomorphs find it very difficult to gain muscle and will probably never get bulky even if they do lots of weight lifting. Mesomorphs build muscle easily but can also lose muscle and fat quickly too. Some mesomorphs may get bulky legs whereas others might not.<\/p>\n\n

And finally, endomorphs probably already have naturally muscular legs so find it easy to bulk up.<\/p>\n\n

Running does burn a lot of calories and will help you lose weight all over your body. It may help you lose weight in your legs too. But at the end of the day, it will still build muscle in your legs. I have mentioned this before, but if you are a shorter endomorph build, I would avoid running as it can make your legs bigger.<\/p>\n

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