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Will running "shrink" my quads?

M

MrEgo

Senior member
If I continue to squat and deadlift, will running distance shrink my quads, or will they negate my gains in the weightroom?

Does it make a difference if I'm running sprints, mid-distance (400-800-1600m), or long-distance (5k+)?

I know it might be a dumb question, but I've heard this from a few people at the gym. They aren't exactly the smartest guys in the world, so I thought I'd see what anyone else had to say.
 
I've done both at the same time without issue. Still had enormous quads. It could affect some more than others though depending on your metabolism. Just don't burn off too many calories or you'll definitely eat muscle.
 
OILFIELDTRASH said:
I've done both at the same time without issue. Still had enormous quads. It could affect some more than others though depending on your metabolism. Just don't burn off too many calories or you'll definitely eat muscle.
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Modest, too, lol....🙄

I actually would have to disagree. While sprinting kind of uses fast twitch fibers (ever seen a skinny legged sprinter?) in my personal view, you won't be able to put on size while doing consistent running. I mean you can certainly strengthen them, but if power/size is your thing, I don't think it works very well. And as Oil says, protein consumption will be huge.

And I don't know if I misread "long distance" but I'm talking actual mileage, like 20, 30, 40 miles a week. If you are running a few miles a few times a week, you should be alright. It really depends on how much running. I'd say you are using the term distance in your question loosely....
 
You'll honestly be fine. You'll continue to make strength gains and the size of your quads will remain the same. If you, however, start to not eat enough or quit weightlifting, they will definitely start to lose some size.
 
OK, honestly, 5k is not long distance. But to the point, my legs are pretty big and I do some running myself.
 
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Megatomic said:
OK, honestly, 5k is not long distance. But to the point, my legs are pretty big and I do some running myself.
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Yeah, but that doesn't count - you do ridiculously long distance. 😀

It comes back around the other way when you get to a certain point, lol....
 
It depends how specialized your body currently is for weightlifting. If you are a pro power-lifter it probably will but for most people it won't.
 
I hate that I can't find a decent pair of pants because I got big thighs. I wear 29-30 inch waist pants but my thighs are ~24" which makes for a tight and uncomfortable fit. I thought(and actually hoped) they'd shrink a little while I was marathon training but nope, did not lose much despite being on a larger than normal caloric deficit due to the increased mileage at the time.

Now that I'm not running as much, and squatting heavier, they're growing again 🙁
 
MrEgo said:
Because I like being able to bench 300, run a mile in under 5:30, and run 100m in under 13 seconds. I don't want to get so bulky that I lose my athleticism.
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Can you do this?! If so, you're a beast. Sound like me about 15-18 years ago.:hmm:
 
OILFIELDTRASH said:
Be a complete athlete that's why.
Weightlifting and cardio should be staples in any fitness program or you're doing it wrong.
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you cant do cardio with weights? lets see you squat 315x20 and see how your cardio is. or prowler work will do. running is pointless IMO
 
coreyb said:
what defines as a complete "athlete" anyhow? I don't consider long distance runners athletes.
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You're just being inflammatory, as always. Although a given sport may not align with your own interest, that doesn't take away from the activity itself. You like to pump iron. Great. Me too. That doesn't mean that people who are cardio beasts are any less impressive than we are.
 
coreyb said:
you cant do cardio with weights? lets see you squat 315x20 and see how your cardio is. or prowler work will do. running is pointless IMO
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How long does it take you to do that? My cardio workouts are 50 minutes at target (~80%) and a ten minute cool down. Your heart rate probably gets higher than mine, granted.

Cardio with weights usually involves smaller mass and ridiculous reps. Like 20x315 instead.
 
coreyb said:
you cant do cardio with weights? lets see you squat 315x20 and see how your cardio is. or prowler work will do. running is pointless IMO
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Just look at any sports. How many muscled up goons are playing sports? Even mma the super muscled up guys are quickly exposed by the leaner more agile opponents. If all your interested in is impressing people with the goon look than sure I understand your point. As for me I can still be muscular and still be athletic. I enjoy having a fitness level that works in the real world. I could go rock climbing, swimming without a floatie to support a 300lb steroid freak frame, etc..
 
OILFIELDTRASH said:
Just look at any sports. How many muscled up goons are playing sports? Even mma the super muscled up guys are quickly exposed by the leaner more agile opponents. If all your interested in is impressing people with the goon look than sure I understand your point. As for me I can still be muscular and still be athletic. I enjoy having a fitness level that works in the real world. I could go rock climbing, swimming without a floatie to support a 300lb steroid freak frame, etc..
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Word.:thumbsup:
 
OILFIELDTRASH said:
Just look at any sports. How many muscled up goons are playing sports? Even mma the super muscled up guys are quickly exposed by the leaner more agile opponents. If all your interested in is impressing people with the goon look than sure I understand your point. As for me I can still be muscular and still be athletic. I enjoy having a fitness level that works in the real world. I could go rock climbing, swimming without a floatie to support a 300lb steroid freak frame, etc..
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sorry but football players are the ultimate athletes. huge, fast, strong.

cardio freaks arent impressive at all. cardio is one of the easiest things to build up.
 
OILFIELDTRASH said:
Just look at any sports. How many muscled up goons are playing sports? Even mma the super muscled up guys are quickly exposed by the leaner more agile opponents. If all your interested in is impressing people with the goon look than sure I understand your point. As for me I can still be muscular and still be athletic. I enjoy having a fitness level that works in the real world. I could go rock climbing, swimming without a floatie to support a 300lb steroid freak frame, etc..
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look at mma? theres a reason they dont let guys like lesnar fight lightweight skinny guys.
 
OILFIELDTRASH said:
Just look at any sports. How many muscled up goons are playing sports? Even mma the super muscled up guys are quickly exposed by the leaner more agile opponents. If all your interested in is impressing people with the goon look than sure I understand your point. As for me I can still be muscular and still be athletic. I enjoy having a fitness level that works in the real world. I could go rock climbing, swimming without a floatie to support a 300lb steroid freak frame, etc..
Click to expand...

im not about super muscle bodybuilders. im talking about super strong motherfucking athletes. some are really big though.
 
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