thinner thighs with running or elliptical?

Dancinhiphop4life

so which one is better to thin your thighs? i have big thighs and i dont want to get chicken legs but would like them to get smaller. i figured running but just wanted to see other peoples opinions

dbanks80

I am a runner and my thighs have gotten way smaller and muscle toned. I am 5'9" with very long legs. Running for sure.

Angel1029

Both of them are good, but the elliptical you can change resistance which will help

cokpara

i'm a big believer in what running can do for your body as a whole... and your legs, don't even get me started there toned toned toned and you feel fit... try mixing the two. if you like one better than the other, just do it more. if you run outside that's great, on the treadmill you can play with diff speeds, side shuffling, incline, intervals... do a trial and see what you think is best for you. and if you're like me and build muscle at the speed of light which makes you bulky before you're lean, do longer distances at slower speeds.

HealthiHannah

After running.... where should you feel the burn? I always feel like I'm doing it wrong so its hard to keep going. But, I have heard only good things about running to help reduce thigh size so I really want to keep going!!!

noltes2

The ONLY exercise that has shaped my thighs quickly is RUNNING RUNNING RUNNING! Start out by doing intervals, that's what I did. Run 5 minutes, walk 5 minutes. If that is too much do running for 2, walking for 5, etc. Seriously, the impact of running really will shape your thighs. I've finally gotten into running (which I still hate lol), but the difference it makes on my body is definitely encouraging. It helps to have a goal to focus on, rather than overall fitness - go for a 5k!

fuhrmeister

I think either will help maybe a mix to keep your body guessing. I do incline intervals on a treadmill for my thighs and butt. 2.5 - to 3.0 speed increase the incline by 2 every 2 min. up to 12 and back down. I am so not a runner though. Whatever you choose best of luck.

elliecolorado

I do both and my outer thighs have muscle tone, but my inner thighs haven't changed at all But if you want to start running, check out Couch to 5K, that is what I am doing to train for my 1st 5K in July.

phatvenus

If you go to a gym, change up your routine and use all the types of ellipticals and the treadmill. You can burn fat with the cardio from running, but using the ellipticals will offer good resistence training in addition to the cardio. Plus, using different types of machines allows you to work the same basic muscle groups with small variations in form and movement, also keeping your body from falling into a workout that has become too easy or routine. Doing the same workouts over and over will make you stronger to the point that you will get less of a workout. Changing it up is the key to all over strengthing and the most consistent fat burn. Also, try throwing in some intervals for a good fat blasting burn!

wolfchild59

Doing nothing but elliptical as my sole form of exercise for three months made my thighs larger and my calves huge. Running has been helping get my calves back to a more normal size and my thighs seem a bit better lately as well.

evelynfarmer

Running is definately the best exercise even though I am not a FAN of it. Couch to 5K huh? I might have to try that one.

Dancinhiphop4life

Thanks so much everyone!!!! i do alternate one with the other every other day. the only think is i can really only go 25 min of straight running but could be on the elliptical for an hour. im going to keep pushing myself with running tho!!!!

tamiller93

I run also, and it does help your thighs. I do walking lunges as well and love the results.

dbanks80

It's amazing how complex the body is and how we have soooo many mucles. All winter I trained running on the TM and did leg wieghts. Was proud to run 10 min miles for 30 mins straight and 6 miles in 65 mins. I ran outside yesterday 6.7 miles and I thought i was going to DIE!!! My leg mucles were so tight and sore. I realize i need to get outside more and train.

mhotch

I just recently read somewhere, {I wish I can remember where!}, that interval training helps to lose more weight/fat on the lower body than straight running. I lost inches doing intervals on both the treadmill and the elliptical.

Calif_Girl67

I want to lose my thighs as well and I try to run 1-2 mins then walk for a few mins then 1-2mins running again but running is so hard. How do you get to were you can run longer? I really struggle to run 1-2 min intervals. ANy suggestions??

junebug523

Tizzz--just keep doing what you're doing with your intervals. It takes time to build up endurance. Also, make sure you're giving your body a chance to rest up in between runs--it will help.

I started running last May, and was doing intervals that sloooooowly increased until late August, when I was finally able to run 30 minutes straight for the first time. So, it takes a while. Just keep taking care of yourself.

I didn't use C25K, but a lot of people on here do. It might be worth looking into.

Oh, and one other thing--I still have hope that my thighs might start slimming down eventually, but I don't think I will ever have thin thighs. It's really not possible to "spot reduce" with exercise, because your genetics, body type, etc. will always play a role. The best thing is to eat well, be consistent with cardio and weight training exercises, and your body will respond. Not always exactly how you might envision, though.

Dancinhiphop4life

I want to lose my thighs as well and I try to run 1-2 mins then walk for a few mins then 1-2mins running again but running is so hard. How do you get to were you can run longer? I really struggle to run 1-2 min intervals. ANy suggestions??

I could never look at the numbers and time at first on a treadmill. i would get so discouraged that i had only ran like 1 minute or 45 sec, so i took a hand towl and covered up the numbers, from there i just listened to my ipod and would tell myself i can push through this verse, or c'mon keep running through the chorus. eventually i would make it entirely through a couple of songs. now that i am used to running i like looking at the numbers. i still use my music technique but to see the calories being burned is a motivator also. i just started running outside and i feel like it is alot harder so if you are beginning running i would stick to a treadmill for a while until you get into the groove of things

mhotch

i just started running outside and i feel like it is alot harder so if you are beginning running i would stick to a treadmill for a while until you get into the groove of things

I read a fitness mag article, that compared treadmill running to the outside. Running at a 0% incline on the treadmill is compared to a slight downhill run outside. It suggested to increase the incline on the treadmill to 1-2% to feel more like flat running outside. Also the treadmill belt helps to propel you forward, while outside the hard ground, and wind resistance does not help. So be prepared to have a harder time running outside, but the change in scenery and fresh air is well worth the effort. I have been interval running on the treadmill all winter. I am looking forward to getting outside! I just hope I can do it!

tamiller93

i just started running outside and i feel like it is alot harder so if you are beginning running i would stick to a treadmill for a while until you get into the groove of things

I read a fitness mag article, that compared treadmill running to the outside. Running at a 0% incline on the treadmill is compared to a slight downhill run outside. It suggested to increase the incline on the treadmill to 1-2% to feel more like flat running outside. Also the treadmill belt helps to propel you forward, while outside the hard ground, and wind resistance does not help. So be prepared to have a harder time running outside, but the change in scenery and fresh air is well worth the effort. I have been interval running on the treadmill all winter. I am looking forward to getting outside! I just hope I can do it!

I read that article too. I usually set the treadmill to 1% when I am not able to run outdoors. The treadmill really is a 'crutch' when set on its 0% setting.

elizamc

I want to lose my thighs as well and I try to run 1-2 mins then walk for a few mins then 1-2mins running again but running is so hard. How do you get to were you can run longer? I really struggle to run 1-2 min intervals. ANy suggestions??

I have started to tun in the last month having really thought I never could (I have chronic asthma and arthritis). I started at runnning for an hour at 30seconds runnning and 60 seconds walking, gradually building it up . In the last two weeks I've increased my circuit by 1/4mile and yesterday I ran for 90 seconds and walked!

I was so chuffed with myself but have to say what really helped me was downloading a CD of running music which paces at (I think) 136 -146 beats per minute. I discovered that previously I'd been trying to go too fast without really being aware of it and holding myself back by following the beat enabled me to increase my run time.

I also used runkeeper which really helped too.

Good luck with it!

swebb1103

In stead of focusing on time, I focus on distance.... my first attempt at running on the treadmill was laughable, I only lasted a minute and was done. So I decided that instead I would build myself up by watching the distance instead - cover up the time, turn my music on and go for 1/10th of a mile. That felt OK. That was 3 weeks ago and Monday I ran a mile and 2/10ths in the fast (well, for me!) time of 15 minutes. I'm not a rocket, obviously, but hey - I am running more than a mile now! I run 3 days a week and do elliptical the other 2 days when I do strength training. I haven't lost much weight but my jeans are getting looser, so I know it's working!

steffmd25

Thinner thighs = Running. It is awesome for them. But I do advise to change it up and do different types of cardio if you belong to a gym!

lvcsy1

Run Run Run girll!!! You burn calories sooo much faster running than when on the elliptical!! I used to be an elliptical girl, then switched to the treadmill and lost a significant amount of weight quicker by running!! I started slow, running .25 then walking .25 until i got to 2.0 miles, and worked my way up from there!!

dailyorange

Running would be my answer too! I run at least 3 times a week and sometimes mix in elliptical or stair master. Last year I only did intervals on the elliptical, but this year I decided to give the treadmill a try. My boyfriend always asked me if I would run with him, but I would tell him I'll be by the elliptical machines.

Like the other posters mentioned, C25K is a good way to work up your endurance. I followed it loosely and was able to run 5K straight. After I reached that goal, I started to run in intervals. My workouts now are typically a warm up and then 2 minutes at a jogging pace and 1 minute sprint. I repeat this for about 20 minutes and then cool down. I also incorporate weight training, which includes squats, lunges and step ups. It took awhile, but my thighs and calves got slimmer. Trust me when I say it will take awhile! Thighs are my stubborn area, but I never gave up and I'm still working on them.

bmontgomery87

You can't spot reduce fat.
You gotta reduce overall body fat.

tellybelle

Great thread! Thanks!!

claire_b79

Running has helped me lose inches on my thighs. I mix it with a lot of squats and lunges though.