Any ideas for cardio that don't increase leg muscle?

LorinaLynn

Honestly, which problem would you rather have? "The waistband is too big on these jeans?" or "The waistband is too tight, cuts me in half, and gives me a muffin top?"

Brad805

Sorry, but I just do not believe you have larger than normal leg development. Many of us think this at one point or another, but as we progress towards leaner BF levels many of us find that is not the case. Some researchers suggest female lifters can add 0.25lb/wk of muscle with ideal nutrition and training. Many have far too many personal constraints to create ideal training or nutrition, so that is an upper bound. Even if you were adding that much muscle consistently, it will take a lot of time before that creates a clothing fit problem. What the basic problem usually is fat around the thigh region.

Keep lifting and cease the fretting about getting huge anywhere.

NaomiJFoster

Thanks for all of your responses. I might just be a bit more worried about it since when my sister was heavily into working out, I remember her having a lot of trouble finding jeans that would fit over her quads without gaping at the waist. I'll just keep doing what I'm doing and avoiding those squats!

I've had that problem my entire life and it has nothing to do with muscle at all. I just have huge thighs. I buy pants to fit the size of my thighs and then belt the waist. And everything has to have a bit of stretch to it, for comfort in the thigh zone, because I just can't tolerate things being tight right there. Drawstring waists are my favorite thing in the world.

ElBence

Swim using a pull buoy. Your arms and shoulders might get some bulk, but your legs won't be doing any work.

DavPul

Any ideas for cardio that don't increase leg muscle?

Ummmmm.....all of them?

ShaniWulffe

None of the exercises you have mentioned increase leg muscles, so you're just fine as-is.

Well, Zumba, when done right, can increase leg muscle if you're at a calorie surplus

DavPul

None of the exercises you have mentioned increase leg muscles, so you're just fine as-is.

Well, Zumba, when done right, can increase leg muscle if you're at a calorie surplus

hehe

BinaryPulsar

I've always had that waist band problem. Because I have a tiny waist and a very round booty. It's not a problem. If you buy stretchy jeans it works better. I take other pants to the tailor.

All forms of exercise cardio will reduce body fat, revealing the muscle underneath, making you smaller and more defined.

I've trained as a dancer (not zumba), and that can be different. You're body will build strong (yet still pretty small) muscles to be able to leap to the ceiling ten times in a row, do all the jumps, lift your leg to your face and all of that. But, most dancers have strong legs, visible muscle definition, but are also quite slender. We need to be able to lift each other.

I've also always done resistance strength training and weights. Heavier for this past year. I'm not bulky.

cynthiaj777

If done right, all cardio will increase leg muscle. Hill sprints or incline running, intense Zumba, spinning on a high resistance bike (or biking natural hills)...all increase leg muscle strength; therefore, by laws of muscles, they have to be getting larger to be more powerful. However, the increased muscle mass burns more calories daily, so on top of muscle gain, there is fat loss. Do not fret. Low intensity cardio won't really build leg muscle....just cardio health. I have extremely muscular legs. All of my jeans are tight in the thighs, my skinny jeans are too tight in the calves, BUT unlike you, they are not too big in the waist....they fit just right or on intense work out weeks, too tight almost ll over. I have no curves. At any point in time, I can pull my pants or shorts down without unbuttoning them. You should embrace your womanly body. Not everyone has one. I would die for a freaking waist! I am straight as hell. Nonetheless, I am always complimented on ny legs. I like em!

LorinaLynn

If done right, all cardio will increase leg muscle. Hill sprints or incline running, intense Zumba, spinning on a high resistance bike (or biking natural hills)...all increase leg muscle strength; therefore, by laws of muscles, they have to be getting larger to be more powerful.

Not really. Bigger does not always equal stronger, and stronger does not always equal bigger.

Look at Nia Shanks. She's 122 pounds and can bench press 145 and squat 1.5x her bodyweight. Her arms are quite small. She's pretty tiny everywhere.

cynthiaj777

If done right, all cardio will increase leg muscle. Hill sprints or incline running, intense Zumba, spinning on a high resistance bike (or biking natural hills)...all increase leg muscle strength; therefore, by laws of muscles, they have to be getting larger to be more powerful.

Not really. Bigger does not always equal stronger, and stronger does not always equal bigger.

Look at Nia Shanks. She's 122 pounds and can bench press 145 and squat 1.5x her bodyweight. Her arms are quite small. She's pretty tiny everywhere.

There's always exceptions to the rules, but in general, your muscles are getting larger in order to push more weight. When you tear muscles while training and they repair, they gain mass.

I would argue for the above picture, she has almost absolutely no body fat, which isn't typical of women. My boyfriend weighs a measly 148 lbs but he can out lift and squat everyone in his gym pretty much. (He's in the picture). He's tiny because he has absolutely no body fat. Add on the average male fat percentage to him, and he'd be huge for what he is pushing.

ryan57ford

You can also add in alternative cardio exercises to your routine like swimming laps and doing the arm cardio or upright climbing cardio machines in the gym.

DragonSquatter

Thanks for all of your responses. I might just be a bit more worried about it since when my sister was heavily into working out, I remember her having a lot of trouble finding jeans that would fit over her quads without gaping at the waist. I'll just keep doing what I'm doing and avoiding those squats!

I've had that problem my entire life and it has nothing to do with muscle at all. I just have huge thighs. I buy pants to fit the size of my thighs and then belt the waist. And everything has to have a bit of stretch to it, for comfort in the thigh zone, because I just can't tolerate things being tight right there. Drawstring waists are my favorite thing in the world.

It's very easy and cheap to take in a waistline at a tailor. it'll save you a lot of hassle. I have to do that also with most my jeans. I have thin thighs, but I have a big butt, so finding pants to fit my bum requires a larger size and a takein at the waist.

HannahJDiaz25

Don't worry, if you're eating in a deficit you aren't gaining leg muscle. That's assuming you weren't completely immobilized.
You might gain an ounce or two anyway.

They will fill with water a bit until you are used to the exercise. And as you lose fat, it might appear you are gaining muscle - but this isn't the case. The water is just receding, and revealing the islands.

This! ^ I have done Cardio for six years... Leg intensive cardio...and I never gained any noticeable muscles...I had to start lifting weights for that :-)
As your body adjusts to the exercises it will stop storing water. Don't worry about it. You wont gain a whole lot of muscle...especially eating at a deficit. It takes a lot of calories to build a muscle :-)

usmcmp

I would argue for the above picture, she has almost absolutely no body fat, which isn't typical of women. My boyfriend weighs a measly 148 lbs but he can out lift and squat everyone in his gym pretty much. (He's in the picture). He's tiny because he has absolutely no body fat. Add on the average male fat percentage to him, and he'd be huge for what he is pushing.

You proved my point from earlier. It's not muscle making you bulky, it's fat. Also, that picture she is around 18% body fat. That's still in the athletic to normal category.

dbmata

I'm just wondering if there is any cardio that I can do that won't continue to increase my leg muscle. Any ideas?? Thanks!

Sure, all cardio. Load bearing exercises and a diet with surplus intake build muscle.

Have fun!

crystalfisher89

It sounds like I have the same body structure as you as I have muscular legs and it's a family thing. Here is scoop. Elliptical- you are good- resistance is good as well as it strengthens the muscle but doesn't build. For the treadmill, I would not do the incline and work on adding speed. That will help torch calories and is actually better for your body because the incline on treadmills is not a natural incline and can actually hinder your body. Also, In order to truly build muscle you have to lower your carb intake and REALLY up your Protein. If you are not doing that you will not Grow the muscle It'll look like your legs are getting more muscular, but your legs will actually just look it because you are burning off the fat. Good luck and keep up the hard work

dbmata

Thanks for all of your responses. I might just be a bit more worried about it since when my sister was heavily into working out, I remember her having a lot of trouble finding jeans that would fit over her quads without gaping at the waist. I'll just keep doing what I'm doing and avoiding those squats!

I'm sure you have tailors near you.

lithezebra

Thanks for all of your responses. I might just be a bit more worried about it since when my sister was heavily into working out, I remember her having a lot of trouble finding jeans that would fit over her quads without gaping at the waist. I'll just keep doing what I'm doing and avoiding those squats!

That means she has a small waist. Count your blessings if you've got those curves.

Yeller_Sensation

The water is just receding, and revealing the islands.

Agree with the others who commented on how beautiful this sentence is. :flowerforyou:

lilcassers

It is extremely difficult for a woman to build muscle. I wouldn't worry. Keeping your tone is awesome