Running doesn't build muscle?

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sweetxsour35
sweetxsour35 Posts: 177
in Fitness and Exercise
I've heard so many things about how running doesn't build muscle. I'm on week 4 of C25K and my calves are rock hard, so how is that not muscle? They definitely weren't like that before.

I'm just curious as to how it doesn't build muscle. You don't see any runners with twiggy, wimpy legs.
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Replies

  • albinogorilla
    albinogorilla Posts: 1,056 Member
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    If you are trying to build muscle, then extended cardio, aka distance running is counter productive.
    I dont run, ever, unless someone bigger than me is chasing me.
  • SergeantSunshine_reused
    SergeantSunshine_reused Posts: 5,382 Member
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    If you are trying to build muscle, then extended cardio, aka distance running is counter productive.
    I dont run, ever, unless someone bigger than me is chasing me.

    like me. RAWR xD

    I actually see many runners who look like they would blow away on a windy day
  • ms_leanne
    ms_leanne Posts: 523
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    Running won't bulk you up but it will tone and define your muscles. One thing I most definitely notices was the change in shape of my upper body. My chest tones up, my neckline became more defined and my arms became toned.
  • SergeantSunshine_reused
    SergeantSunshine_reused Posts: 5,382 Member
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    Running won't bulk you up but it will tone and define your muscles. One thing I most definitely notices was the change in shape of my upper body. My chest tones up, my neckline became more defined and my arms became toned.

    Yup this is because cardio is helping you burn the fat around the muscle :] So your muscles can poke through. Not building any!
  • BodybyPlants
    BodybyPlants Posts: 76 Member
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    When running you are strengthening and toning you muscles. When weight lifting you are bulking. You are not necessarily adding muscle but you are strengthening what you do have which is why your legs are getting harder. Sounds like you are doing good on your couch to 5K!!! Keep it going!!
  • djkshdfd
    djkshdfd Posts: 443 Member
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    I currently only do runs, mix of track and trail runs about 6 miles each time. I have no built up huge muscles on most of my body, I have actually become very petite in my upper body. My lower body has lost a lot of fat, but everything left there is rock hard muscle, and my legs by no means look bony.
  • Giantess
    Giantess Posts: 213 Member
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    Running won't bulk you up but it will tone and define your muscles. One thing I most definitely notices was the change in shape of my upper body. My chest tones up, my neckline became more defined and my arms became toned.

    Yup this is because cardio is helping you burn the fat around the muscle :] So your muscles can poke through. Not building any!

    Jeez. I wish that would happen to me already. :grumble:

    I guess I just have too much fat to burn off to see a difference yet!:wink:
  • RAFValentina
    RAFValentina Posts: 1,231 Member
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    Hmmm, you'll burn fat but you will build a small amount of muscle, especially if there wasn't much muscle there to start! Just look at the size of some sprinters! Massive!
  • smarterthanyoda
    smarterthanyoda Posts: 39
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    A lot of what you read about "bulking up" are written by and for body-builder types that have already achieved a high level of fitness. They don't always take into account how things are different for people just starting out.

    What they mean is somebody who already has well-developed leg muscles cannot develop them more by running. For somebody starting out, the leg muscles are not developed and can grow to some extent but will not get huge.
  • SergeantSunshine_reused
    SergeantSunshine_reused Posts: 5,382 Member
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    Hmmm, you'll burn fat but you will build a small amount of muscle, especially if there wasn't much muscle there to start! Just look at the size of some sprinters! Massive!

    Yup! Sprinters are beefy :D Distance runners not so much

    HIIT is better for that. Distance running is counter productive.
  • joejccva71
    joejccva71 Posts: 2,985 Member
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    You cannot build new muscle tissue unless you eat a calorie surplus along with doing some kind of resistance training.

    Also before people speak...yes I realize that if someone is morbidly obese they can use the bodyfat stores they have to burn as energy (calories) which can provide some new muscle tissue, but this isn't as cut, dry, and simple as you think. Also women do not build muscle tissue like men do unless they are on the juice.
  • Artemis_Acorn
    Artemis_Acorn Posts: 836 Member
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    Running is a load-bearing exercise. You're not lifting MORE than what you weigh, but you are lifting your own weight.

    http://www.livestrong.com/article/111142-muscles-running-build/
  • joejccva71
    joejccva71 Posts: 2,985 Member
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    Running is a load-bearing exercise. You're not lifting MORE than what you weigh, but you are lifting your own weight.

    http://www.livestrong.com/article/111142-muscles-running-build/

    Thats fine and all, but you are only toning the muscle you have while burning the fat unless you are eating a calorie surplus. Also at some point you will stop building new tissue unless you increase resistance. Just saying. :P
  • SmartFunGorgeous
    SmartFunGorgeous Posts: 699 Member
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    I noticed a definite toning when I first started running as well, but once I added in resistance training as well, is when I really started noticing more musculature.
  • Artemis_Acorn
    Artemis_Acorn Posts: 836 Member
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    You cannot build new muscle tissue unless you eat a calorie surplus along with doing some kind of resistance training.

    Also before people speak...yes I realize that if someone is morbidly obese they can use the bodyfat stores they have to burn as energy (calories) which can provide some new muscle tissue, but this isn't as cut, dry, and simple as you think. Also women do not build muscle tissue like men do unless they are on the juice.

    Um, there are a LOT of women with PCOS on these boards. They should be aware that the usual wisdom about women not bulking up with weight training is not necessarily true for them. If they have elevated testosterone levels from the PCOS, they need to hold off on using heavy weights at all - unless they WANT to get bulky. Most women with PCOS do have elevated testosterone. Only a blood test can tell them for sure.

    Light hand weights are usually okay.
  • SergeantSunshine_reused
    SergeantSunshine_reused Posts: 5,382 Member
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    You cannot build new muscle tissue unless you eat a calorie surplus along with doing some kind of resistance training.

    Also before people speak...yes I realize that if someone is morbidly obese they can use the bodyfat stores they have to burn as energy (calories) which can provide some new muscle tissue, but this isn't as cut, dry, and simple as you think. Also women do not build muscle tissue like men do unless they are on the juice.

    Um, there are a LOT of women with PCOS on these boards. They should be aware that the usual wisdom about women not bulking up with weight training is not necessarily true for them. If they have elevated testosterone levels from the PCOS, they need to hold off on using heavy weights at all - unless they WANT to get bulky. Most women with PCOS do have elevated testosterone. Only a blood test can tell them for sure.

    Light hand weights are usually okay.

    I have PCOS. I lift heavy 3 times a week. DO you see me bulking up? Im kind of small really.
  • joejccva71
    joejccva71 Posts: 2,985 Member
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    You cannot build new muscle tissue unless you eat a calorie surplus along with doing some kind of resistance training.

    Also before people speak...yes I realize that if someone is morbidly obese they can use the bodyfat stores they have to burn as energy (calories) which can provide some new muscle tissue, but this isn't as cut, dry, and simple as you think. Also women do not build muscle tissue like men do unless they are on the juice.

    Um, there are a LOT of women with PCOS on these boards. They should be aware that the usual wisdom about women not bulking up with weight training is not necessarily true for them. If they have elevated testosterone levels from the PCOS, they need to hold off on using heavy weights at all - unless they WANT to get bulky. Most women with PCOS do have elevated testosterone. Only a blood test can tell them for sure.

    Light hand weights are usually okay.

    I understand what you're saying but still they will not get bulky unless they are eating a calorie surplus regardless of the condition. It doesn't work the way you think it does.

    One thing I'd like to add is that women with PCOS are more insulin resistant which makes building muscle that much harder.
  • trelm249
    trelm249 Posts: 777 Member
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    Running (long distance) will harden the existing muscle and usage will fill it somewhat. Typically aerobic activities does not lend itself to the creation of new muscle tissue or hypertophy of muscle tissue to a significant amount.

    Sprinters will gain massive legs in comparison to long distance runners, because sprinting is an anaerobic active that is explosive in nature. This very much contributes to the development of new muscle tissue and hypertrophy.

    For someone who's typical exercise is lifting the remote control, taking the trash out and folding their laundry; both kinds of exercise will do wonders in leaning and hardening them at first.

    Over time an aerobic only program will quit promoting strength and muscle development other than increasing endurance. As the body becomes leaner, there is even the potential that upper body muscle tissue may actually decrease due to it becoming a physiological liability to the long distance runner.

    A great example of this is looking at a marathon runner
    http://kbhr933.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/hallryannychalfnyrrorg1.jpg

    vs. a decatholate
    http://www.sporting-heroes.net/files_athletics/CLAY_Bryan_20040824_GH_L.jpg

    you can the difference in development based on the need induced by the activities.

    The question is what kind of fitness activities do you want to engage in and what kind of look do you want.
  • Artemis_Acorn
    Artemis_Acorn Posts: 836 Member
    Options
    You cannot build new muscle tissue unless you eat a calorie surplus along with doing some kind of resistance training.

    Also before people speak...yes I realize that if someone is morbidly obese they can use the bodyfat stores they have to burn as energy (calories) which can provide some new muscle tissue, but this isn't as cut, dry, and simple as you think. Also women do not build muscle tissue like men do unless they are on the juice.

    Um, there are a LOT of women with PCOS on these boards. They should be aware that the usual wisdom about women not bulking up with weight training is not necessarily true for them. If they have elevated testosterone levels from the PCOS, they need to hold off on using heavy weights at all - unless they WANT to get bulky. Most women with PCOS do have elevated testosterone. Only a blood test can tell them for sure.

    Light hand weights are usually okay.

    I understand what you're saying but still they will not get bulky unless they are eating a calorie surplus regardless of the condition. It doesn't work the way you think it does.

    One thing I'd like to add is that women with PCOS are more insulin resistant which makes building muscle that much harder.

    Meds and diet will often improve the insulin resistance profile before the androgen levels drop. This is information I received from the PCOS specialist I consulted and which has proven true for me. Lets talk when you have lived with PCOS for even a day.
  • joejccva71
    joejccva71 Posts: 2,985 Member
    Options
    You cannot build new muscle tissue unless you eat a calorie surplus along with doing some kind of resistance training.

    Also before people speak...yes I realize that if someone is morbidly obese they can use the bodyfat stores they have to burn as energy (calories) which can provide some new muscle tissue, but this isn't as cut, dry, and simple as you think. Also women do not build muscle tissue like men do unless they are on the juice.

    Um, there are a LOT of women with PCOS on these boards. They should be aware that the usual wisdom about women not bulking up with weight training is not necessarily true for them. If they have elevated testosterone levels from the PCOS, they need to hold off on using heavy weights at all - unless they WANT to get bulky. Most women with PCOS do have elevated testosterone. Only a blood test can tell them for sure.

    Light hand weights are usually okay.

    I understand what you're saying but still they will not get bulky unless they are eating a calorie surplus regardless of the condition. It doesn't work the way you think it does.

    One thing I'd like to add is that women with PCOS are more insulin resistant which makes building muscle that much harder.

    Meds and diet will often improve the insulin resistance profile before the androgen levels drop. This is information I received from the PCOS specialist I consulted and which has proven true for me. Lets talk when you have lived with PCOS for even a day.

    LOL @ your last sentence. Once again, women will not bulk up unless they are eating a calorie surplus.

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