Pear Shapes - To run or not to run?

ebs6778

I am a dancer and have dancer legs and hips...yay. Unfortunately I have a layer of fat on top of those muscles that won't seem to go away! I hear (from 3 trainers) that pear shapes shouldn't run because it will make your legs bigger? Can anybody vouch for that or are they all crazy? I hate power-walking and the elliptical does nothing for me. HELP! Signed - thunder thighs

bms34b

bump - I'm in the same pear-shaped boat.

AlannaPie

That sounds awful stupid, like women not using weights because it will make them big. Running is about cardio, and it should create long lean muscle

AlannaPie

I have a big butt and legs. I'd rather them be thick and defined than thick and flabby. It's not like our legs will double in size.

anna_lisa

i am pear shaped and how I countered this previously was yoga. toned and gave me lean muscles. I know being pear shaped I worry about bulking up and then just looking more like a pear, which if I am not careful about what exercising I am doing can happen.

Yoga is what I would recommend.

Devani34

I am a dancer and have dancer legs and hips...yay. Unfortunately I have a layer of fat on top of those muscles that won't seem to go away! I hear (from 3 trainers) that pear shapes shouldn't run because it will make your legs bigger? Can anybody vouch for that or are they all crazy? I hate power-walking and the elliptical does nothing for me. HELP! Signed - thunder thighs

BUMP.... me tooo

Hourglass25

Wow!!!!! that is sooo not true. i am a pear shape and I like to run almost everyday. It has done the complete opposite of what this trainers have told you. Is like some people say if you lift weights you will get bulky which is not true at all. muscle burns fat.

litnerd4life

I am definitely a pear-shape, and my body never looked better than when I was running consistantly (my friend, a pear-shape as well, says the same thing). I just had a baby, and am trying to get back to running as much as I was before I had her. I say do it! I have never once seen an avid runner that had anything less than amazing, lean, muscular legs...and there just isn't a better cardio exercise I can think of.

LaMujerMasBonitaDelMundo

That is stupid. I'm a pear too but running didn't make my legs or thighs bigger, in fact i lost some fats on the bottom. How can an aerobic cardio workout will make a body part bigger? If its a strength training I can say it will but not an aerobic exercise because it is designed to melt the fats away.

joycieg

Why would that possibly be, that only certain 'shapes' can run without getting big legs? That is the oddest thing I've heard about running, LOL

FL_Nettie

Watch a marathon on TV and how many pear shaped professional runners do you see? None. So I would say if you want to run, then run you should.

ebs6778

Well does anyone know how to reduce lower body and keep your boobs a decent size?!

nuttyfamily

That is absurd.

Running doesn't bulk you up!

I found once I started running, it has slimmed down my hips, butt and thighs. Even my saddlebags went away.

shimmergal

that is not true. My trainer told me the opposite. If you run, you body gets leaner esp legs/thighs. But, if you bike, you legs will get stronger and could get bulkier (with muscle ofcourse).

jfinnivan

Time to get a new trainer.

LorinaLynn

I'm a lot less pear-shaped since I started running.

elliecolorado

I think it depends on the person whether it slims your legs or not. I know plenty of people that say it will slim down your legs and also know plenty of people (myself included) that have their legs get bigger when they do a lot of running. Even in high school when I was much smaller than I am now I ran a lot and always had big thighs.

I am more of an hourglass shape than a pear shape, but for me my legs definitely get bigger when I run. My thighs are almost 3 inches bigger since I have been running, but most of the flab is gone so I'd rather have big thighs that are muscular than big thighs that are flabby.

pezmel

I have a combination eggplant and squash body and I still run. Dumbest advice I've heard in a while.

Worry about the weight you want to lose and then worry about the boobs. Stop trying to look like a Barbie doll. Unless you want to have large amounts of synthetic material injected into your body it probably isn't going to happen.

Drpmkumaran

Any aerobic exercise or a cardio will burn your far.. Running will not make you bulkier in the thighs in the long run... You can also try doing exercises that will tone your quadriceps and your gluteal muscles... It'll give you a great shape when done regularly... The easiest one would be to stand behind a chair, just place your fingertips on the backrest for support... Then lift one leg approx. One feet from the ground. Try to keep your body as straight as possible. Hold this position for 30 secs then repeat with the other leg. Do it for 20reps. you should feel a slight pain in your bums after you finish if you do it right.. It'll shape your bottom and I hope it works for you asitdid for me :-)

cariandy

NO WAY!!! I am a pear and running MAKES YOUR LEGS SMALLER!!! they will get harder and more toned so you might mistake that at first as bigger but I have been training for my first half marathon and my legs keep shrinking!! measure them as you go and you will see! They are smaller than they have ever been! Run Sweetie!! You'll be glad you did!

cariandy

feel free to add me if you want encouragement!

KristynStephens15

Crazy that you post this topic! I was just thinking this morning I need some tips in this area! I have very muscular thighs and although my butt and waist keep shrinking and getting toned, all my thighs seem to do is get more toned and bigger. I do mostly bike for cardio and the 30DS which has a lot of squats and lunges. I need all the tips I can get as well!

KristynStephens15

that is not true. My trainer told me the opposite. If you run, you body gets leaner esp legs/thighs. But, if you bike, you legs will get stronger and could get bulkier (with muscle ofcourse).

Thank you! The bike then explains the giant muscle on the front of my thigh that you can even see through jeans! :laugh:

maureensm

Time to get a new trainer.

Seconded! I'm pear-shaped as well and frankly, running has helped shape my legs. That and weight-lifting. It's ALL good for you.

M_lifts

def time to get a new trainer! my legs are so much more toned and defined now! and im a pear shape too!

LittleMissAlx

Also a pear shape. Have always been conscious of my legs and bum, and I have to say that I've never felt better about them than I do right now - after running for about 3months. The running is definitely what's done it for me. Ignore your trainer and give it a go.

stephanielynn76

My cardio machine of choice is the stepmill (rotating stairs) and I was told by a "trainer" that it might bulk up my legs. Nope... the exact opposite. When I changed my diet I lost 1" in the chest, 1.5" in the waist, and almost 5" in the thighs. I used to be a pear but not anymore.

LorinaLynn

In addition to all that's been said.... there's a point where you just have to embrace the curves you have. I'd rather be someone who can run a 5k with a nice big curvy bum than have narrow hips and not be able to run one.

If we're doing all the right work, our bodies will be what they're meant to be, and no one shape is better than another.

Picola1984

I'm pear shaped and running has really helped my bum and tone my thighs. Nonsense!

marquesajen

I very much doubt it'll make you have big legs. I just read an article that fat is lost proportioned to your body. Cardio is great for that. I mean if worse comes to worse, if you notice your legs getting larger you can stop.

BecksgotBack

Well does anyone know how to reduce lower body and keep your boobs a decent size?!

boob job or padded bras work wonders....impossible. you lose fat all over--can't stop the girls from getting smaller.