How do you shrink your thighs?

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  • Egger29
    Egger29 Posts: 14,741 Member
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    You're currently training in what would be the Hypertrophy (Muscle Growth) rep range.

    Lower your sets and increase your reps. - 3sets of Lunges, and 3 sets of Squats

    Shoot for 15-20 Reps on each exercise where you're pushing for the last 5. Plus, the higher reps will force you to activate your core to maintain form throughout for a longer duration.


    No, this is a popular misconception. There are two different types of hypertrophy. Sarcoplasmic and myofibrillar. Sarcoplasmic relates to size and is present in the 6-12 rep range and myofibrillar relates to strength and is present in the 1-5 rep range.

    Read this for more details.
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/234432-if-you-think-you-gained-muscle-read-this?hl=if+you+think+you+gained

    Thank you for saying this, It irks me when I hear someone talk about doing 20 reps. People, if you can do 20 reps, you're really doing very little for that muscle.

    Actually...this is not true. REPS by definition means Rep Max...in other words...15-20 is the maximum number you can physically do before you collapse. You don't just count out a number and stop (although 95% of people doing weight training do just that).

    I am currently working with a profession al NHL Strength and Conditioning coach doing specific elite training for skaters and every exercise is in the 15-20 rep range and I can tell you it's killer!


    “For skaters” is the key phrase here, you are focusing more on muscular endurance, not strength.

    1 to 5 reps = Strength & Power (Myofibrillar Hypertrophy)
    6 to 12 reps = Size (Sarcoplasmic Hypertrophy)
    13 to 20 reps = Muscular Endurance

    The science is irrefutable, if your coach holds a CSCS, he/she knows this and that is why your program is tailored for skating.

    Exactly. My point being, yes, 20 reps will help with muscle endurance, but you receive very little hypertrophic effect from 20 reps of any muscle group without a break to recover glycogen, and to allow the lactic acid build up to go down. In other words, It's good for training for a specific condition or sport that has need for high output for long periods, but it's not going to do a heck of a lot for most people who are looking to build muscle strength and/or mass.

    Ok. Just to clarify: Both of you guys have completely missed the point. If you read the threads, the person asking the question does not have access to the equipment needed to work at a 5 rep max routine since they are doing workouts at home.

    Furthermore, they are not looking for max strength or muscle growth on their legs in any way, shape or form., so why would you adamantly reccommend heavy training for that effect? The question was about how to AVOID extreme muscle growth.

    Yes, you can go into the semantics of male vs female hormones and hypertrophy, but that's irrelevant to the question.

    High Reps are not just for skaters, so please refrain from taking my response out of context. I've worked with athletes and average individuals from a wide variety of sports and lifestyles for the past 15 years and I can tell you that funtional training is completely different from anything you're going to see in gyms or read about in fitness magazines.

    As well my collegues who I work with as my primary references deal with professional athletes on a daily basis so I would like to think they know more about what they are talking about then the most often mis-informed discussions on a weight loss website forum.

    I stand by my initial response.
  • MicMar66
    MicMar66 Posts: 186 Member
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    Bump-and thanks for asking this!
  • End6ame
    End6ame Posts: 903
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    You're currently training in what would be the Hypertrophy (Muscle Growth) rep range.

    Lower your sets and increase your reps. - 3sets of Lunges, and 3 sets of Squats

    Shoot for 15-20 Reps on each exercise where you're pushing for the last 5. Plus, the higher reps will force you to activate your core to maintain form throughout for a longer duration.


    No, this is a popular misconception. There are two different types of hypertrophy. Sarcoplasmic and myofibrillar. Sarcoplasmic relates to size and is present in the 6-12 rep range and myofibrillar relates to strength and is present in the 1-5 rep range.

    Read this for more details.
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/234432-if-you-think-you-gained-muscle-read-this?hl=if+you+think+you+gained

    Thank you for saying this, It irks me when I hear someone talk about doing 20 reps. People, if you can do 20 reps, you're really doing very little for that muscle.

    Actually...this is not true. REPS by definition means Rep Max...in other words...15-20 is the maximum number you can physically do before you collapse. You don't just count out a number and stop (although 95% of people doing weight training do just that).

    I am currently working with a profession al NHL Strength and Conditioning coach doing specific elite training for skaters and every exercise is in the 15-20 rep range and I can tell you it's killer!


    “For skaters” is the key phrase here, you are focusing more on muscular endurance, not strength.

    1 to 5 reps = Strength & Power (Myofibrillar Hypertrophy)
    6 to 12 reps = Size (Sarcoplasmic Hypertrophy)
    13 to 20 reps = Muscular Endurance

    The science is irrefutable, if your coach holds a CSCS, he/she knows this and that is why your program is tailored for skating.

    Exactly. My point being, yes, 20 reps will help with muscle endurance, but you receive very little hypertrophic effect from 20 reps of any muscle group without a break to recover glycogen, and to allow the lactic acid build up to go down. In other words, It's good for training for a specific condition or sport that has need for high output for long periods, but it's not going to do a heck of a lot for most people who are looking to build muscle strength and/or mass.

    Ok. Just to clarify: Both of you guys have completely missed the point. If you read the threads, the person asking the question does not have access to the equipment needed to work at a 5 rep max routine since they are doing workouts at home.

    Furthermore, they are not looking for max strength or muscle growth on their legs in any way, shape or form., so why would you adamantly reccommend heavy training for that effect? The question was about how to AVOID extreme muscle growth.

    Yes, you can go into the semantics of male vs female hormones and hypertrophy, but that's irrelevant to the question.

    High Reps are not just for skaters, so please refrain from taking my response out of context. I've worked with athletes and average individuals from a wide variety of sports and lifestyles for the past 15 years and I can tell you that funtional training is completely different from anything you're going to see in gyms or read about in fitness magazines.

    As well my collegues who I work with as my primary references deal with professional athletes on a daily basis so I would like to think they know more about what they are talking about then the most often mis-informed discussions on a weight loss website forum.

    I stand by my initial response.


    Actually she asked about size (wanting to avoid bulky muscles), not muscle growth. As I have continuously stated size and strength are not the same thing; you can get significantly stronger with only small increases in muscle size. The methodology that I proposed would be best for her goals of not wanting to increase in size, but would still allow her to build muscle mass and form denser, not larger, muscles. Whereas your higher rep ranges promote more size and endurance. I recognize that some strength will also be built in this range, but it is not as effective as a lower rep range. Certain ranges are better for certain aspects but there is some overlap through all of them.

    She did not say that she lacked equipment until after my recommendation, at which time I revised my recommendation. She asked for a recommendation so I provided one; ultimately it is up to her.

    Additionally, neither of us remotely stated that high reps were just for skaters. We said that it was for building endurance and works well for endurance sports.

    Also, Just because we take part in an online message board (as do you) does not make us misinformed. I know SHBoss1673 is a trainer and I am experienced in strength training/powerlifting style programs. I managed to increase my 1RM squat and deadlift by over 100lbs in less than 6 months while on a calorie deficit and shedding 8% body fat. I have also coached (not professionally, I am not paid for it) multiple people (7 total, 1 female) in the 5x5 method; all of which have seen significant increases in strength and power with minimal increases in muscle size. My trainees that were overweight lost weight in the form of body fat (they lost absolutely no muscle mass), while my trainees that were not overweight had a net zero weight change while decreasing body fat, indicating an increase in muscle mass. The results for the one female were exactly the same except that progressive loading was slower and muscle size increases were much slower; both of these are to be expected. Today she is squatting and deadlifting over her body weight at 5’ 2’’ (same height as OP by the way), 118lbs and she is not in the slightest bit bulky. So apparently what I am doing and saying has some merit to it.
  • 54fevers
    54fevers Posts: 22 Member
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    cardio cardio cardio. Reduce your intake between 1200-1600, or whatever is safe for your body. Try not to do as many squats...
  • Egger29
    Egger29 Posts: 14,741 Member
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    Grglands: The initial question was: "How can I get them to shrink instead of get even more massive?" This in itself does not translate to "How do I train for maximal strength in my thighs without gaining size?"

    The question and datails stated from my 15+ years of experience and university background in Kinesiology, show that the individual is overtraining her thigh muscles by already doing too much, so you don't recommend that person do even more.

    Secondly, you never suggest someone do powerlifting or training movements unless they are experienced lifters who have mastered the form and technique to do the exercise properly. There is no One Way of doing things, but safety comes first.

    To recommend an inexperienced individual to do 5 rep max movements when they do not have the stability or strength to perform the exercises properly is asking for serious injury!

    High reps are not just for endurance. High reps with moderate weight increase the time under contraction for each exercise, recruit the core stabilizers more effectively through the longer duration, and force the individual to focus on maintaining form and technight through a longer duration in the exercise, placing the demand on more than just a single muscle group.

    Endurance is only ONE aspect of high rep training, and that assumes an individual working at 75-80% Rep Max. In THIS case however, the primary focus is on form and technique. As such, you would use a lighter weight and higher reps enough to feel the muscles working, but not for maximal strain. You would also do less sets so that you don't overload completely the muscles.

    The individual is also doing an intensive running program so what's more important is that enough rest is incorportated between workouts giving the thigh muscles a chance to recover. If you're asking for a maximal demand between running sessions, you're sending the individual into an overtraining plateau and an additional risk of injury.

    I appreciate that you had has success in powerlifting style progams, but I hope you can similarly appreciate that that is not the only way to train, nor is that for everyone. Telling someone to "just do what I do" is what I see wrong in gyms with 98% of the people I encouunter day in and day out.

    While the 5x5 method does have merit for certain cases, it is something that should only be recommended to individuals who are already experienced lifters. Otherwise, you're just asking for injury.

    In every gym I have worked in, 85% of my time between clients was spent correcting form and technique with people who are trying to do too much, because that's what their buddy told them to do, regardless of it it was right for them.

    For the record, any amount of regular strength training during a calorie restricted diet will result in the same results that you found on your own and with your friends. Goodlife Fitness has a specific "Fat Loss" program that they sell which is a specific diet combined with a circuit program 3x a week.

    The results don't come from the type of training, but from the fact that challenging your lean mass on a regular basis, forces it to continually be fed and repair itself, this preventing the loss of lean mass during a weight loss program. It doesn't matter what type of training you're doing...just that you're doing something to work your muscles on a regular basis.

    Not everyone is looking to increase their 1RM or deadlift 300 lbs however, so as such, recommending powerlifting programs is not for everyone.
    Actually she asked about size (wanting to avoid bulky muscles), not muscle growth. As I have continuously stated size and strength are not the same thing; you can get significantly stronger with only small increases in muscle size. The methodology that I proposed would be best for her goals of not wanting to increase in size, but would still allow her to build muscle mass and form denser, not larger, muscles. Whereas your higher rep ranges promote more size and endurance. I recognize that some strength will also be built in this range, but it is not as effective as a lower rep range. Certain ranges are better for certain aspects but there is some overlap through all of them.

    She did not say that she lacked equipment until after my recommendation, at which time I revised my recommendation. She asked for a recommendation so I provided one; ultimately it is up to her.

    Additionally, neither of us remotely stated that high reps were just for skaters. We said that it was for building endurance and works well for endurance sports.

    Also, Just because we take part in an online message board (as do you) does not make us misinformed. I know SHBoss1673 is a trainer and I am experienced in strength training/powerlifting style programs. I managed to increase my 1RM squat and deadlift by over 100lbs in less than 6 months while on a calorie deficit and shedding 8% body fat. I have also coached (not professionally, I am not paid for it) multiple people (7 total, 1 female) in the 5x5 method; all of which have seen significant increases in strength and power with minimal increases in muscle size. My trainees that were overweight lost weight in the form of body fat (they lost absolutely no muscle mass), while my trainees that were not overweight had a net zero weight change while decreasing body fat, indicating an increase in muscle mass. The results for the one female were exactly the same except that progressive loading was slower and muscle size increases were much slower; both of these are to be expected. Today she is squatting and deadlifting over her body weight at 5’ 2’’ (same height as OP by the way), 118lbs and she is not in the slightest bit bulky. So apparently what I am doing and saying has some merit to it.
  • shaunshaikh
    shaunshaikh Posts: 616 Member
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    Egger29,

    You're not the only trainer on this board. Pretty much all of of the trainers on this board have advised people to do less than 12 rep sets when incorporating strength training into their exercise routine. Being as educated as you are, you should know that the fact that the OP is 1. a woman and 2. dieting means that it would be INCREDIBLY difficult for her to actually gain muscle mass. Any gain in "inches" on her thighs would be the result of swelling of the muscle, which would go down with time. The fact of the matter is, you too are applying principles from sports performance to someone who's main objective is improvement in body composition.

    Now in the OP's case, she doesn't have a gym membership and probably won't be able to do the optimal strength training workout.

    To the OP, when you do a squat with dumbells, you do not need to do a bicep curl. You just hold the weights by your side stagnantly. You should be able to hold more weight this way than the weight which you can actually curl. Most people's legs are MUCH stronger than their arms... typically twice as strong or more.
  • princess4mimi
    princess4mimi Posts: 192
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    BUMP!!!!!!! I have what is referred to as "Thunder Thighs" I probably always will have them but I want them to be toned and leaner than they are....
  • End6ame
    End6ame Posts: 903
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    Grglands: The initial question was: "How can I get them to shrink instead of get even more massive?" This in itself does not translate to "How do I train for maximal strength in my thighs without gaining size?"

    The question and datails stated from my 15+ years of experience and university background in Kinesiology, show that the individual is overtraining her thigh muscles by already doing too much, so you don't recommend that person do even more.

    Secondly, you never suggest someone do powerlifting or training movements unless they are experienced lifters who have mastered the form and technique to do the exercise properly. There is no One Way of doing things, but safety comes first.

    To recommend an inexperienced individual to do 5 rep max movements when they do not have the stability or strength to perform the exercises properly is asking for serious injury!

    High reps are not just for endurance. High reps with moderate weight increase the time under contraction for each exercise, recruit the core stabilizers more effectively through the longer duration, and force the individual to focus on maintaining form and technight through a longer duration in the exercise, placing the demand on more than just a single muscle group.

    Endurance is only ONE aspect of high rep training, and that assumes an individual working at 75-80% Rep Max. In THIS case however, the primary focus is on form and technique. As such, you would use a lighter weight and higher reps enough to feel the muscles working, but not for maximal strain. You would also do less sets so that you don't overload completely the muscles.

    The individual is also doing an intensive running program so what's more important is that enough rest is incorportated between workouts giving the thigh muscles a chance to recover. If you're asking for a maximal demand between running sessions, you're sending the individual into an overtraining plateau and an additional risk of injury.

    I appreciate that you had has success in powerlifting style progams, but I hope you can similarly appreciate that that is not the only way to train, nor is that for everyone. Telling someone to "just do what I do" is what I see wrong in gyms with 98% of the people I encouunter day in and day out.

    While the 5x5 method does have merit for certain cases, it is something that should only be recommended to individuals who are already experienced lifters. Otherwise, you're just asking for injury.

    In every gym I have worked in, 85% of my time between clients was spent correcting form and technique with people who are trying to do too much, because that's what their buddy told them to do, regardless of it it was right for them.

    For the record, any amount of regular strength training during a calorie restricted diet will result in the same results that you found on your own and with your friends. Goodlife Fitness has a specific "Fat Loss" program that they sell which is a specific diet combined with a circuit program 3x a week.

    The results don't come from the type of training, but from the fact that challenging your lean mass on a regular basis, forces it to continually be fed and repair itself, this preventing the loss of lean mass during a weight loss program. It doesn't matter what type of training you're doing...just that you're doing something to work your muscles on a regular basis.

    Not everyone is looking to increase their 1RM or deadlift 300 lbs however, so as such, recommending powerlifting programs is not for everyone.


    You are hearing things that I didn’t say so I will bullet point the important points.

    She said:
    … “But my thighs grew by a total of .75 inches”
    … ” I've been doing 6 sets of 10 squats (with weights) and 3 sets of lunges (with weights)”
    … ”How can I get them to shrink instead of get even more massive?”
    … “ can't do it with a barbell, I'm exercising from home and I can't afford a lot of expensive equipment.”

    What I said (to her):
    … “If cut your sets/reps down to 3x5 or 5x5 and keep the weight heavy, you will minimize size growth while keeping strength”
    … “ Then I would recommend using heavier dumbbells”

    What I said (to you):
    … “Sarcoplasmic hypertrophy relates to size and is present in the 6-12 rep range and myofibrillar hypertrophy relates to strength and is present in the 1-5 rep range. “
    … “As I have continuously stated size and strength are not the same thing; you can get significantly stronger with only small increases in muscle size. The methodology that I proposed would be best for her goals of not wanting to increase in size, but would still allow her to build muscle mass and form denser, not larger, muscles”
    … “higher rep ranges promote more size and endurance. I recognize that some strength will also be built in this range, but it is not as effective as a lower rep range. Certain ranges are better for certain aspects but there is some overlap through all of them. “

    In summary:
    I never suggested a powerlifting program to her, I recommended barbell squats, until she said she could not do them. This is not dangerous, everyone is capable of learning on their own. No one taught me how to squat. I also recognized that high reps are not “just” for endurance and that there is overlap (between strength, size, and endurance) over all rep ranges; some ranges are just better at one of the three. I also never said or implied “just do what I do”, she was concerned about size, so I recommended a way to minimize muscle size and still promote as much muscle strength as possible (for her).

    The two types of hypertrophy work in the ranges that I identified (along with their matched intensity or %1RM) this is scientific fact. Additionally, training type is not irrelevant if it were then powerlifters and Olympic lifters would do bodybuilding programs and achieve the same results.

    My final point, and I mean this as non-offensive as possible, is to check your ego. I work in cyber security and continuously find new information on the Internet that is relevant and factual that I did not get in any of my degrees, which I welcome. While I respect your education and experience, the things you are saying related to the human physiology and training styles are not accurate and perhaps you should open your mind to the idea that someone else may have a better understanding than you. If you want a more official source than me you can check out any of the writings by Mark Ripptoe, Glen Pendlay, Bill Starr, Jim Wendler, and any of the official CSCS study books.
  • LLaDonna
    LLaDonna Posts: 126
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    What if you want seriously sculpted thighs? I mean 'Serena Williams" style... What's a good training regimen for that?
  • End6ame
    End6ame Posts: 903
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    What if you want seriously sculpted thighs? I mean 'Serena Williams" style... What's a good training regimen for that?


    If your goal is just for appearance, then just about any lower body bodybuilding routine will do, but free weight barbell squats would be the best exercise to make sure you include. And since I have been told recommending this exercise is dangerous <roll’s eyes> make sure you research and learn how to perform the movement correctly with light weight first before moving to heavier weights.

    Here is a good resource to learn how to do squats: http://stronglifts.com/how-to-squat-with-proper-technique-fix-common-problems/

    If performance and strength are your goals, I would recommend building base strength and muscle mass first (3x5 or 5x5 is a good method for this regardless of what others think) and then switch to a bodybuilding program and reduce your body fat% to get further definition.
  • hroush
    hroush Posts: 2,073 Member
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    What if you want seriously sculpted thighs? I mean 'Serena Williams" style... What's a good training regimen for that?

    Heavy squats and deadlifts that we've been talking about. Start out light to learn the form and progressively add weight. This will build muscle and tone your legs.
  • Barneystinson
    Barneystinson Posts: 1,357 Member
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    For reference on this, I'm 5'0" and just squatted 95 pounds on a 10 rep set yesterday. Going to try a 5 rep set tomorrow and see if I can squat my bodyweight - 130.

    Here's a good resource for women and lifting:

    http://www.stumptuous.com/

    If you want to see progress, you need to lift heavier weights. I know that's a tall order if you have to join a gym or build a home gym to do it, but believe me, it's well worth it.
  • End6ame
    End6ame Posts: 903
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    For reference on this, I'm 5'0" and just squatted 95 pounds on a 10 rep set yesterday. Going to try a 5 rep set tomorrow and see if I can squat my bodyweight - 130.

    Here's a good resource for women and lifting:

    http://www.stumptuous.com/

    If you want to see progress, you need to lift heavier weights. I know that's a tall order if you have to join a gym or build a home gym to do it, but believe me, it's well worth it.


    If 95 was your true 10RM, then your theoretical 5RM would be about 110, so be sure to work up to it if you try and go for 130. It would be best to work up in singles in 5lb increments (1x95, 1x100, 1x105, 1x110, etc… Make that your entire squat workout, don’t do your normal routine and then try and test a rep max.

    Also, I make this recommendation to everyone before testing rep maxes so don’t take it personally; but be sure you are hitting parallel or lower during your normal sets before attempting a rep max. Parallel is the optimum position for knee stability if you were to try a rep max and you stopped above parallel (in the middle of the range of motion) it could end badly for your knees. Parallel is when the tops of your thighs are parallel to the floor, not the bottoms of your thighs. Also make sure that you are pushing from your heals (not your toes) and your knees do not travel more than an inch or so past your toes when you are in the hole.
  • Barneystinson
    Barneystinson Posts: 1,357 Member
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    For reference on this, I'm 5'0" and just squatted 95 pounds on a 10 rep set yesterday. Going to try a 5 rep set tomorrow and see if I can squat my bodyweight - 130.

    Here's a good resource for women and lifting:

    http://www.stumptuous.com/

    If you want to see progress, you need to lift heavier weights. I know that's a tall order if you have to join a gym or build a home gym to do it, but believe me, it's well worth it.


    If 95 was your true 10RM, then your theoretical 5RM would be about 110, so be sure to work up to it if you try and go for 130. It would be best to work up in singles in 5lb increments (1x95, 1x100, 1x105, 1x110, etc… Make that your entire squat workout, don’t do your normal routine and then try and test a rep max.

    Also, I make this recommendation to everyone before testing rep maxes so don’t take it personally; but be sure you are hitting parallel or lower during your normal sets before attempting a rep max. Parallel is the optimum position for knee stability if you were to try a rep max and you stopped above parallel (in the middle of the range of motion) it could end badly for your knees. Parallel is when the tops of your thighs are parallel to the floor, not the bottoms of your thighs. Also make sure that you are pushing from your heals (not your toes) and your knees do not travel more than an inch or so past your toes when you are in the hole.

    I'm going to try the 1 rep max tomorrow thanks :smile:

    There are a lot of good squat / deadlift training videos on YouTube. I subscribe to a few accounts of Crossfit gyms.
  • End6ame
    End6ame Posts: 903
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    Between CrossFit and Stumptuous you should be in good shape for technique. Those are both great resources. Good luck.
  • Egger29
    Egger29 Posts: 14,741 Member
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    I'm sorry, but this has nothing to do with ego. I was speaking about the inherent dangers of recommending a heavy lifting program to someone who is not an experienced lifter in any way shape or form. Doing so in inherintly dangerous and asking for injury.

    That being said, since you enjoy looking up stuff on the Internet, I suggest you get yourself acquainted withy Pubmed. I use it on a regular basis so your comment about "the things I am saying are not accurate" is mistaken. I also play hockey with the Director of Graduate Studies in Kinesiology for a major university and we're always talking about new research along with several other colleagues I am fortunatre enough to have in my life as peer reference.

    Anyone can find anything on the internet, but to actually check the source as to what you say is true and back it up with hard reserach, that takes more work. Just because something is on the internet, doesn't make it true.

    So, since you dont beleive my word on anything, then I guess you will similarly have issues with the Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine at Ohio University. The following study is directly from the National Library of Medicine and proves my initial response was in fact valid and accurate.

    Title: Muscular adaptations in response to three different resistance-training regimens: specificity of repetition maximum training zones.
    ByL Campos GE, Luecke TJ, Wendeln HK, Toma K, Hagerman FC, Murray TF, Ragg KE, Ratamess NA, Kraemer WJ, Staron RS.
    Source: Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ohio University, Irvine Hall, rm 430, Athens, OH 45701, USA.

    Abstract:
    Thirty-two untrained men [mean (SD) age 22.5 (5.8) years, height 178.3 (7.2) cm, body mass 77.8 (11.9) kg] participated in an 8-week progressive resistance-training program to investigate the "strength-endurance continuum".

    Subjects were divided into four groups:
    1) A low repetition group (Low Rep, n = 9) performing 3-5 repetitions maximum (RM) for four sets of each exercise with 3 min rest between sets and exercises,
    2) An intermediate repetition group (Int Rep, n = 11) performing 9-11 RM for three sets with 2 min rest,
    3) A high repetition group (High Rep, n = 7) performing 20-28 RM for two sets with 1 min rest,
    and 4) A non-exercising control group (Con, n = 5).

    Three exercises (leg press, squat, and knee extension) were performed 2 days/week for the first 4 weeks and 3 days/week for the final 4 weeks.

    Maximal strength [one repetition maximum, 1RM), local muscular endurance (maximal number of repetitions performed with 60% of 1RM), and various cardiorespiratory parameters (e.g., maximum oxygen consumption, pulmonary ventilation, maximal aerobic power, time to exhaustion) were assessed at the beginning and end of the study.

    In addition, pre- and post-training muscle biopsy samples were analyzed for fiber-type composition, cross-sectional area, myosin heavy chain (MHC) content, and capillarization.

    Maximal strength improved significantly more for the Low Rep group compared to the other training groups, and the maximal number of repetitions at 60% 1RM improved the most for the High Rep group. In addition, maximal aerobic power and time to exhaustion significantly increased at the end of the study for only the High Rep group.

    All three major fiber types (types I, IIA, and IIB) hypertrophied for the Low Rep and Int Rep groups, whereas no significant increases were demonstrated for either the High Rep or Con groups.

    However, the percentage of type IIB fibers decreased, with a concomitant increase in IIAB fibers for all three resistance-trained groups. These fiber-type conversions were supported by a significant decrease in MHCIIb accompanied by a significant increase in MHCIIa. No significant changes in fiber-type composition were found in the control samples.

    Although all three training regimens resulted in similar fiber-type transformations (IIB to IIA), the low to intermediate repetition resistance-training programs induced a greater hypertrophic effect compared to the high repetition regimen.

    The High Rep group, however, appeared better adapted for submaximal, prolonged contractions, with significant increases after training in aerobic power and time to exhaustion. Thus, low and intermediate RM training appears to induce similar muscular adaptations, at least after short-term training in previously untrained subjects.

    Overall, however, these data demonstrate that both physical performance and the associated physiological adaptations are linked to the intensity and number of repetitions performed, and thus lend support to the "strength-endurance continuum".

    My final point, and I mean this as non-offensive as possible, is to check your ego. I work in cyber security and continuously find new information on the Internet that is relevant and factual that I did not get in any of my degrees, which I welcome. While I respect your education and experience, the things you are saying related to the human physiology and training styles are not accurate and perhaps you should open your mind to the idea that someone else may have a better understanding than you. If you want a more official source than me you can check out any of the writings by Mark Ripptoe, Glen Pendlay, Bill Starr, Jim Wendler, and any of the official CSCS study books.
  • healthymom2011
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    Just so I get this straight in my head, I have large thighs but don't mind that as long as they are toned. I am in the process of losing pounds and I have been doing lots of cardio. I want those nice toned legs so I have been doing squats thru out the day, without weights, just as many as I can do in my office or bathroom. But from what I am reading I should be doing fewer reps with some heavier weight? I do add weight to the squats when I do them at the gym but not heavy weight. I had in my mind that light weight and more reps was the way to get them toned without bulking up.
  • HaleyAlli
    HaleyAlli Posts: 911 Member
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    Dear God... By asking this question it looks like I confused everybody even more :frown:
  • Barneystinson
    Barneystinson Posts: 1,357 Member
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    Dear God... By asking this question it looks like I confused everybody even more :frown:

    You'll never get a straight answer on here about a fitness regiment.

    Ha...trust me.

    It may be useful to look outside of MFP for advice on a solid strength training program for a new lifter. I get where the previous poster has genuine concern about a novice starting on a strength program - but, you have to start somewhere. There were some great suggestions here on websites and resources for strength. I took that same course of action - doing my own research, watching a lot of online resources for form, starting with lower weights.