Muscular legs with...

[musclefattie]

I love squats to death but i was wondering is it possible to built decent muscular legs ( i know they won't be huge) with a combo of just sprinting and running? those olympic sprinters and also soccer players have some fairly decent size and cuts.

 

[da big thinker]

those sprinters and soccer players all squat to get their size...squat...you won't be dissapointed.

 

[The mann]

damn,that would take along time.trying to build thick legs with only running??i know what you mean though,it's like the gymnists.they all have thick legs.but i would have to stay with the squats,unless you are going to sprint with a backpack full of weights...hahahah

talk is cheap

 

[BigGuns2]

you've got to do the squats to get big legs.

 

[LeviathanX]

Hmm... Squat for 10 minutes once or twice a week or run and play soccer 2-3 hours a day everyday for the next 5 years.

Which would you choose?

 

[cajunbob]

I had a teacher who had massive legs and did not work out.

But then again he ran across the United States twice, and Roller Skated across the United States once.

I think working out would be the more realistic method

Cajun Bob

 

[The mann]

i agree with that,but those are people with the genetics to begin with.just like you see people with huge diamond calves that have never worked them in their life.unless you have the genetics to begin with ,better squat.

 

[Y_lifter]

Agreed, Soccer players need POWER as well as speed and endurance.
We did plenty of Squats,Presses and stretching as well as runing for Soccer in HS, College....

 

[RealDeal]

Right on. Just like pro cyclists. Many of 'em have well developed wheels (the live ones) and although they're pushing all damn day with their quads & calves, I'd bet most still do a nice leg workout w/squats, presses, curls, etc.

Running will only get you cut. Yeah, you'll have nice muscle tone, but you ain't gonna get HUGE!

 

[Corsaire]

Sprinter's legs...?

When I was a very young lad I always admired and envied the well developed muscular legs on them, specially those massive, popped out hamstrings and calves, and the way they protuded through the pants.
I got fooled by the idea the only by running you'd get those kind of legs....big f....g mistake, dude!
Do NOT get fooled ! those marvelous runners' legs are the result of highly intensive weight training, complemented with the track's rigor sprints. If you ever watched a track meet, specially of the sprinters thru the middle distances, you'll know what I'm talking about. Not so in longer distances, such as the marathon where due to the type of training, you're pretty much forced to burn fat and muscle with it.
Hope that illustrates.....weight train those legs!
Corsaire Boarding party....AWAY!

 

[tripleV]

squat it baby

 

[Exodus]

no...... gee that was easy

 

[fhg43]

I got some nice legs and most of it came from running and riding. In winter I would hit the gym to gain that extra bit of strength that was hard to get from running and riding. I lived in Boulder for a while a my legs got huge (for me at least). Why-big long bike rides in the mountains!!! Mountain rides make you a man. Riding up Hoosier pass-bad ass.

However I'd suggest lots of squats. I know most of you guys have a cardio aversion.

FHG

P.S. I have those kick ass "diamond calves"-Zero training; totally genetic. Half the reason I went to the gym was to squat and get proportionally bigger quads!

 

[endpoint]

what Corsaire said.

Runners dont just run and run all day. They go to the gym and squat as well. same with soccer players cyclists so on and so forth.

Gentics can play a major role though.

My brother has the upper body of pee wee herman...........but one look at his legs and you would be blown away. His thighs hams and calfs are MASSIVE.
and he is only 18
All he does is play soccer on the weekends and trains on the pitch once a week. I dont think he even knows what a squat is. he says going to the gym is too much effort and he just wants to watch TV.
lucky bastard

 

[Corsaire]

Weight training and genetics...

although true that genetics plays a big roll, most well cut and developed bodies are made in the weight training room, backed up by a good diet. You can develop some definition and muscle by just running or bicycling...up to a very limited point, but real athletes need to still supplement their training with weight work outs to develop that extra edge and push (explosive power) in the competitions.
I'm used to be a competitive runner in my twenties, ran a New York '95, participated in a small time triathlon, just to finish, which I did.
You want a sport to make you a real man, train for the Hawai Ironman Triathlon...and finish it!
Another real challenge, where the your whole strenght and endurance is put to the test, summit a Mountain, like I did back in Peru, Huascaran 21,800 ft, pure thin air...anybody have lungs outhere?
Corsaire boarding party....AWAY!

 

[poohbear]

leg work is best, but sprinting can bring forth muscular development in the legs. Long distance running, however, does not. Research long and short muscle fibers.