Thin and lean or muscular and strong--which is better?

JenaePavlak

I agree that long distance running and heavy strength training (to gain muscle mass) are at odds at each other... Do some reading on what your body goes through for long distance running.. how it will use muscle for energy. Now running long distance once in awhile will be good for endurance, but heavy training with many long runs will "eat" at your muscles a bit.. Take a look at sprinters vs long distance runners...

I used long distance running for my first year of weight loss and when I got closer to my goal, I started more HIIT and run on avg no more than 3.5mi at 7min/mi paces.. I'd much rather look like an overall fit athlete (just my preference).. I'm mostly focusing on my lifting and only run 4-5 times a week for 20-25 min (with a couple HIIT sessions)..

Muscular does not necessarily mean your "big".. I see all my muscles but no one has ever called me big.. I sure as hell don't feel big. I say, it goes with how you feel, but you won't know til you try...


"Lift Heavy! Run Hard!" =D
www.facebook.com/jenaesmithfitness

qtiekiki

Lean, muscular and strong would be my choice.

You should do what makes you happy.

sundaywishes

Here's my take on it.

Thin and lean can be graceful and classic - but lends itself more to a damsel in distress than a woman who can take care of herself. most people hear thin and lean and think ballerina, but dancers are some of the strongest women out there. Take a good look at their bodies when they arent covered in makeup and costumes on stage, they have real, strong, beautiful muscles everywhere.

Getting strong and building up a bit of muscle will make you feel less like you need protection from everything, stronger in your own skin when you strut down the sidewalk, more confident in who you are when you walk proudly into a room, or when you can dance low low low at the club You feel like you can handle more, because you are constantly putting more on your shoulders and proving to yourself that you can handle it, over and over and over.

The confidence and glow that comes with being strong and having beautiful girl muscles and being able to take care of myself in any situation (to me) far outweighs that of being a classically weaker sex, as soft and beautiful as they may be, inspiring others to protect them as though they were a baby bird.

Im no baby bird.

Im a bird of prey.

^^ This. But at the same time, if you feel like you look better and like your body better when you're a bit thinner rather than muscualr, do what makes you happy.

hesn92

Both lol... I want to be thin but also strong...

yoovie

Personally, I want to be lean and toned-- but NOT too "muscular" because I don't like how that looks. JMO.

what do yall mean when you say toned

Carrie3B

Thanks everyone for your tips/suggestions! And I love the "Lift Heavy, Run hard!" motto! I in no way expect to be some elite long distance runner--I will be running a Half Marathon in the Fall but that's probably as far as I can go--LOL! So I will try for both lean and strong although being short, my legs are bulking up and definitely don't look like those "runner legs" that I envy! :-)

Oh--and that's not me at 14% body fat (it was someone else that posted that). The last I had mine taken, it said 17% on the inbody machine at the gym but I still question the accuracy of that.

I lifted today and it felt great! SORE, but great! So I guess I'll just keep on keepin' on! :-)

JNick77

Hi--I'm kind at a crossroads with my fitness and although I know it's a "personal preference", I was wondering your opinion. A little background--I started back to the gym last Dec and started going to bootcamp several times a week as well as other cardio/strength training classes. I also took up running and started increasing my miles (usually ran around 7-10 miles, 3 times a week). I decided to give up bootcamp and focus on the running for a few months. My weight got down but I felt like I had lost a lot of the muscle that I had built. Recently, I started weight training (heavier--or at least heavy for me) with a personal trainer and I love it. I can see more definition and I'm getting stronger.

My question/problem--I feel like the long distance running and weight training are kind of at odds with each other. Running tends to make me lean but no real muscle and weight lifting makes me strong but BIGGER. Note that I am only 5'2 and have always been petite--I don't love the idea of my legs and butt getting bigger. And believe me, they HAVE! I tried on some jeans that have always fit (even when I weighed 10 pounds more) and my legs were squeezed in them. I know it's muscle but I have always liked the leaner/thinner look.

Which do you think is better--lean or strong???

Thanks!! :-)

I would prefer lean and strong. Muscular definition or even size isn't always an indication that one has good strength. But somebody that is lean and strong will likely have a nice body. Lean implies low body fat and strength indicates physical fitness, strong/firm muscles.

Lift heavy at first but then you'll have to mix it up after a while. SL 5x5 isn't a bad start but it's definitely a short-term program. Marathon running isn't always great for helping to maintain muscle, you'll benefit more from 30-60 min light jogs or short sprinting intervals.

waldo56

I run, my body is starting to burn fat for energy for it. I'd consider myself lean. I'm 5'3" 109# and about 14% body fat.

14% is the body fat of an ELITE female athlete. Honestly I look at your physique and guess you around 21% body fat. Females usually have 6 packs at 16%-18% body fat. So whatever method you're using, it's probably not accurate.

A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Instead of "guessing" by eyeballing you could just read her profile to see she checks in at 15%. Can you really eyeball BF%?

Yes. Actually at lower BF%'s it is one of the most accurate methods, since definition is a function of BF%.

mlb929

I actually just read a book on running and weight training. Basically, I decided to change up the way I was doing things. I was lifting heavy with fewer reps, this book explained as a runner, it's better for runners to constantly fatigue the muscles, so when doing a marathon, it's better to keep lower weights and higher reps to keep the muscle endurance up. I've switched over to A LOT of reps with lighter weights, and I actually look better. My muscle definition is way better than it was and my strength is still quality. I'm presently 120 lbs, 5'4" and 17% body fat.

PANZERIA

My personal prefernece is muscular and strong...and here's why.

It's not about fitting into clothes. Even now with a 30% BMI, I'm still able to find clothes that fit and are flattering.

Here's a story: (hopefully you read all of these)

I recently moved to a small northern town where my hubby is stationed as one of the cops. I, obviously, hear some of the goings-on of the town, being a cop wife and all. One of the things here is that almost every single woman is sexually assaulted/raped before they are 20 years old. It's a sad reality.

The reason I want to be fit and strong is simply this - there is NO WAY that anyone, man or woman, is EVER going to physically take away my pride and dignity as a human being.

Now, as for my personal beliefs, I think that every woman should strive to be strong enough to physically defend herself. If you can't reach that pepper spray in your purse, or your concealed knife in your boot, you NEED to be able to fight a 6'4" 250lb drunk guy. This is coming from a cop's wife (and pretty soon, a cop too =D), so obviously I see society in a different way than most people, but in a society that places blame on the victims of rape and sexual assault, a woman cannot be too careful.

:drinker: Hope this helps! Cheers to your journey! :flowerforyou:

JNick77

I run, my body is starting to burn fat for energy for it. I'd consider myself lean. I'm 5'3" 109# and about 14% body fat.

14% is the body fat of an ELITE female athlete. Honestly I look at your physique and guess you around 21% body fat. Females usually have 6 packs at 16%-18% body fat. So whatever method you're using, it's probably not accurate.

A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Instead of "guessing" by eyeballing you could just read her profile to see she checks in at 15%. Can you really eyeball BF%?

Yes. Actually at lower BF%'s it is one of the most accurate methods, since definition is a function of BF%.

Niner is spot-on. There are a couple fitness models at my gym and right now they're in competition mode with a fully on 6-pack, VERY defined deltoids, biceps, triceps, and even in the traps. Although the poster is lean, she's definitely not in the 14% range.

coopersmom2006

I want to be a mixture of both. Lean with nice definition but not crazy veiny muscles.

Di3012

Hi--I'm kind at a crossroads with my fitness and although I know it's a "personal preference", I was wondering your opinion. A little background--I started back to the gym last Dec and started going to bootcamp several times a week as well as other cardio/strength training classes. I also took up running and started increasing my miles (usually ran around 7-10 miles, 3 times a week). I decided to give up bootcamp and focus on the running for a few months. My weight got down but I felt like I had lost a lot of the muscle that I had built. Recently, I started weight training (heavier--or at least heavy for me) with a personal trainer and I love it. I can see more definition and I'm getting stronger.

My question/problem--I feel like the long distance running and weight training are kind of at odds with each other. Running tends to make me lean but no real muscle and weight lifting makes me strong but BIGGER. Note that I am only 5'2 and have always been petite--I don't love the idea of my legs and butt getting bigger. And believe me, they HAVE! I tried on some jeans that have always fit (even when I weighed 10 pounds more) and my legs were squeezed in them. I know it's muscle but I have always liked the leaner/thinner look.

Which do you think is better--lean or strong???

Thanks!! :-)

The body will adapt to whichever activity you set it to do. This is why long distance runners are lean and sprinters are much more muscular, why swimmers are extremely powerful in the shoulder, arms and lats areas and why cyclists have powerful legs.

Those that do bodybuilding are that way because of the way they train and eat.

Unfortunately, it would be a peculiar physique to have if you were a marathon runner but looked like Arnold. That particular body would not be suitable for its intended activity.

What really matters is what YOU consider best and when you decide you may have to cut right down on either running or weights due to desiring a certain build.

Personally, I do a lot of running and compete in 5ks and within the next few months up to 10k and then half marathons, therefore my body will take on the shape of the training that I do - which is lots of running.

Ironphoenix

Can't one be both? Lean and muscular, I mean...

Yes you can just takes time. Take a look at the difference between a sprinter and a marathon runner. Sprinters are very very lean and have excellent muscle definition. Female body builders and fitness models are all lean and muscular. You cant however build muscle if your consistently long distance running.

Personally Id favour strong and lean because I think its much sexier

Ironphoenix

I run, my body is starting to burn fat for energy for it. I'd consider myself lean. I'm 5'3" 109# and about 14% body fat.

14% is the body fat of an ELITE female athlete. Honestly I look at your physique and guess you around 21% body fat. Females usually have 6 packs at 16%-18% body fat. So whatever method you're using, it's probably not accurate.

A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Instead of "guessing" by eyeballing you could just read her profile to see she checks in at 15%. Can you really eyeball BF%?

Yes. Actually at lower BF%'s it is one of the most accurate methods, since definition is a function of BF%.

Niner is spot-on. There are a couple fitness models at my gym and right now they're in competition mode with a fully on 6-pack, VERY defined deltoids, biceps, triceps, and even in the traps. Although the poster is lean, she's definitely not in the 14% range.

Im a personal trainer and I can "eye ball" a persons body fat before I even measure it for them. The more you do the more you get used to being accurate. 14% is low even for competition standards. Being thin doesn't mean you have low body fat! This person would have yo be training and have their nutrition on point to be anywhere close.

Also many anorexics have high body fat readings! I do however think she looks beautiful as she is whatever body fat she is and does not need to worry about it unless she wants to compete. x

bcattoes

If you are asking for personal opinions on what looks better, I prefer a firm but not muscular look. Both men and women can get too "muscley" for my taste. But I'm not overly fond of the ultra thin marathon runner look either. Somewhere in between is my prefernce. Some muscle definitely, but not body-builder muscle. Not cut or ripped.

2hobbit1

first of all........good for you for doing both so well! You look AMAZING! I do both. I am training for a half so I run 4 times a week and do stronglifts 3 times per week. I run and do weights on m,w,f so that when I have my "rest" day or yoga day I can recover fully. I don't lose scale weight as fast as I would like, but I am losing body fat so thats all good!!!!!!! For me I LOVE both...and don't want to give up one over the other...whatever my body decides to do to accommodate my activity is what it will do.

^^^^^ this!

You can have both, do both on the same day so you get good rest days in between!

Matt_Wild

Whatever YOU prefer. Hate it when guys or girls tell a woman how to look, esp when they train. You don't often get people telling overweight people how to look, don't know why people feel they can tell slim shapely women how to look either!

Yogi_Carl

I prefer my own body to be lean and strong (not where I am right now but getting there!) because my main love and focus is yoga. It works against me to have muscles which are too bulky if I am trying to wrap my arms through my legs, but it does pay me to be exceptionally strong so I can acheive the more extreme poses in the first place.

I prefer to perform own bodyweight exercises so I am training my body to hold its own weight rather than handling an external force. I do supplement bodyweight exercises with some dumbell moves.

But yeah - lean and strong is my preference for myself and also what I like to see in others if I'm honest.

I would never tell anyone else what they should be. We are all blank canvasses and it is up to us what we put there.

Be_EmbracE

Hmmm very interesting thread..
I would love to have lean, strong, muscular and preferably nice definition cutting if possible. Wow! U trainer blow my mind just by look.. Gonna ask around than ;p.
Hope to have 17-18% BF if possible though to work at.. Hope to still retain my curve haha..

love4fitnesslove4food_wechange

I do both--i never gave up running when I started lifting. I didn't find it necessary and it works for me. I've built tremendous muscle mass and strength but I've maintained my endurance. Now--I truly believe this is a byproduct of genetics--a lot of people find that their strength goals are completely obliterated with long distance running.

love4fitnesslove4food_wechange

I run, my body is starting to burn fat for energy for it. I'd consider myself lean. I'm 5'3" 109# and about 14% body fat.

14% is the body fat of an ELITE female athlete. Honestly I look at your physique and guess you around 21% body fat. Females usually have 6 packs at 16%-18% body fat. So whatever method you're using, it's probably not accurate.

A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Not always--even at 12% body fat I didn't have a 6 pack--flat stomach but no six pack. I can't get the ripples. Sucks.

pkw58

I am going for the fit ballerina body. I want to be able to run a 5k, but not at any elite level, just run without stopping the whole 5k. I do light dumb bells with a barre 3 video every day, walk a lot and now that the Texas Weather is fall, will get back into Couch to 5k training next weekend. (I just can't run in the heat) I am 54 years old and want to make my fitness routine sustainable no matter what my finances or age is for the next 50 years!

I want to keep my body fat at or below 19%.

I think all the various fit body types look great - as long as the person is happy and smiles. I don't think one is better than the other.