Pear Shapes - To run or not to run?

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Time to get a new trainer.

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.

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 :-)

feel free to add me if you want encouragement!

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:

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

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.

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

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.