Is running enough for the legs?

[fixationdarknes]

I'm currently running 3x a week and working out 5x a week along with pushups/situps everyday.

I was wondering...is running alone in itself enough for the legs? Will my legs keep up with my upper-body if I just run and don't do any weight-training on my legs?

Also, what if I raised my running to 6x a week? Then, would that be enough for my legs to keep up with my weight-trained upper body?

TIA.

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Also, I have an off-topic question: What specifically do shoulder shrugs do for you? And how do they differ from doing deltoid lifts with the dumbells or doing deltoid rows on a machine?

[biggimp]

what are your goals? if you tell us those, we can help give you an answer.

and dumbbell shrugs work the traps.

[geoffgarcia]

Also, what if I raised my running to 6x a week? Then, would that be enough for my legs to keep up with my weight-trained upper body?

depends on distance/speed etc, plus genetics play a huge role in the size of legs.
9/10 your legs will grow larger and stronger with direct weight training

[fixationdarknes]

what are your goals? if you tell us those, we can help give you an answer.

My goal is this: to have a well-balanced well-built body, along with having good cardio and good running skills. Basically, I want to train my body all-around (strength, mass, endurance). Although I know that if I train with an all-around style, I'll never get especially strong in one area (e.g. mass).

depends on distance/speed etc, plus genetics play a huge role in the size of legs.
9/10 your legs will grow larger and stronger with direct weight training

I usually run about 1-2 miles each day.

[Frozenmoses]

Thou shalt squat. And lunge.

[ReturnedFire]

Thou shalt squat.

Amen.

do deadlifts too

[fixationdarknes]

So, are you guys saying that with my goal to become all-around well-built (strength, mass, and endurance), that even running 6 days a week isn't enough to keep up with 5 days a week of weightlifting?

If you guys say it isn't, I'll definitely work out my legs. But I just don't wanna overwork my legs with weight-training on the legs along with running. Tell me what to do, and I shall do, oh master.

[emjlr3]

i found that in hs running 6 days a week for about 3 or so hours my legs were in such beter shape then they are now

then i could rep 315 or so for good reps, after not really working much elgs other then jsut the sports i played, now im lucky to do 225 and that is after working legs hard for the past few months to try and get them back into things

the moral of the story is, the more active you are with your legs, the stronger they are gonig to be no matter what, ive found that out the hard way, if only there were more active things to do in college....all everyone wants to do is get drunk...o yea and there is that no time thing is well

so if your going for just strength, the activeness is fine w/o lifting, although lifting would help a good bit, but if your going for good lookng legs your going to have to lift with em

[fixationdarknes]

i found that in hs running 6 days a week for about 3 or so hours my legs were in such beter shape then they are now

then i could rep 315 or so for good reps, after not really working much elgs other then jsut the sports i played, now im lucky to do 225 and that is after working legs hard for the past few months to try and get them back into things

the moral of the story is, the more active you are with your legs, the stronger they are gonig to be no matter what, ive found that out the hard way, if only there were more active things to do in college....all everyone wants to do is get drunk...o yea and there is that no time thing is well

so if your going for just strength, the activeness is fine w/o lifting, although lifting would help a good bit, but if your going for good lookng legs your going to have to lift with em

Hm...

Alright, I have a couple more questions.

#1- Do you think that not weight-training my legs (just running) will limit my upper-body strength?

#2- Do you think running everyday along with weight-training them would be considered overworking your legs?

[IRN-BRU]

If you want bigger leg muscles you will need to lift weights with them. Perhaps just once a week if you can fit it in. #1- There is evidence that working your legs will help with overall muscle gains, personally I believe it. TBH I love my calf muscles, the are freakin huge, they are worth the effort whether they're good for upper body or not:-)

Running will do a little, but it will soon plateu. I dont think doubling running from 3x to 6x will make your legs bigger, it will just give you bad knees when you're old. By all means wait until your upper body is muscular, and when someone calls you chicken-legs you can start lifting hehe.

#2- I wouldnt run too far on the days you weight train legs, or the next day. They need to recover. A mile or two at a steady pace sounds ok and may help recovery. Or try swimming/cycling sometimes.

Just my opinion. Take care.

[ElPietro]

Distance running does not equal strength training, or hypertrophic training.

If you aren't eating enough, that much running will also hinder muscle growth on your upper body as well.

You could run twice a week and work legs once a week.

[SpecialK]

Running distance isn't going to build up your legs. Just look at all the top marathon and distance runners. They run a ton of miles a week but still look pretty frail and generally have skinny legs.

[Anthony]

A good friend of mine is a triathlete/runner and he still trains his legs in the gym, including squats and deadlifts. Just find a balance that corresponds to your goals. The more you train for endurance, the less size/strength you'll be able to achieve and vice versa.

[fixationdarknes]

Alright, thanks for the advice guys.

How does this sound? Work the legs once a week in the gym and run 3x a week? Or should I run less, like 2x a week?

[carlossalsa8]

I have a friend who all he does is run. He has huge legs. We both play soccer. My legs are defined and strong but his are defined and big. It's all about genetics. Some people get their legs to grow bigger just by running and others wont grow. Running will give ur legs lots of resistance and it will make them to be cut. I think you should work ur legs once a week and run 3x a week ( but more than 2 miles in my opinion )

[Brenzo]

If your after size in your legs stay away from long distance running. It makes your legs less bulky. 1-2 miles isn't too much so you should be fine. Squats, Deadlifts and lunges will help your overall running performance.

[Shane]

No. Run and lift for your legs and you'll be fine. Running isn't enough.

[Kromax]

My leg routine:

Run four times a week: two five mile runs and two three mile runs
Squat once/week--immediately after a five mile run (at about an 8 1/2 min/mile pace)
Train hamstrings on pull day
Train calves 2x/wk

Works for me, and we have the same goal.

[fixationdarknes]

Thanks for the help.

[fixationdarknes]

I have a friend who all he does is run. He has huge legs. We both play soccer. My legs are defined and strong but his are defined and big. It's all about genetics. Some people get their legs to grow bigger just by running and others wont grow. Running will give ur legs lots of resistance and it will make them to be cut. I think you should work ur legs once a week and run 3x a week ( but more than 2 miles in my opinion )

Well, if it helps at all, my dad all he does is run and he has some pretty nice-sized and strong legs. Especially his calves.

Well, I think I'm gonna stick to the original plan and workout the legs 1-2 X a week and run 2-3 X a week.