Avoid legs bulking up

Daboomboom · 2025-08-18T21:24:51+00:00

Im going to get fit again. Exercise always shows quickly on my legs. I used to run outside and enjoyed it. I tried to speed up but it took the enjoyment out of it so I just plodded along. I live somewhere flat so it's the same movement for hours. My legs got bulky very quickly. They didnt look muscly as such, just big and solid with no shape. I didnt like that look on me. I used to cycle, not particularly energetically but I quickly got that boxy calf muscle thing that cyclists get. I liked that. Im going to do spin classes to start but once my confidence and fitness is up, I plan to start running outside again. Is there anyway to stop my legs looking like tree trunks once I start running? Is it just a case of continuing with the spin and running and hope for the best? Its vain but quite soul destroying to be working so hard and still have legs you dislike! I'll be looking to incorporate weights somewhere too.

BogRollBOGOF · 18/08/2025 22:41

You need that muscle for later life.

Embrace the muscle!

(Says she of the 15" calves which are pretty hefty on top of size 2 feet)

alittleprivacy · 19/08/2025 11:39

What is your weight like in general? I build muscle very easily and do a lot of strength work all over, but I only ever look bulky if I'm carrying too much fat. If I'm at a lower level of body fat, and I still mean having a body fat in the 20-25% region/bmi 21-23 - not unhealthily low level, I look look obviously very muscular but lean rather than bulky.

The problem is, that exercise uses a lot less energy than we think it does, while a lot of food is crazily calorie dense. So it's very easy to over compensate with too much food when we're very active. Or alternatively, eat low fat, which can be hormonally damaging to women and lead to difficulty losing fat.

Original poster

Daboomboom · 19/08/2025 11:45

alittleprivacy · 19/08/2025 11:39

What is your weight like in general? I build muscle very easily and do a lot of strength work all over, but I only ever look bulky if I'm carrying too much fat. If I'm at a lower level of body fat, and I still mean having a body fat in the 20-25% region/bmi 21-23 - not unhealthily low level, I look look obviously very muscular but lean rather than bulky.

The problem is, that exercise uses a lot less energy than we think it does, while a lot of food is crazily calorie dense. So it's very easy to over compensate with too much food when we're very active. Or alternatively, eat low fat, which can be hormonally damaging to women and lead to difficulty losing fat.

At both of those times my weight was in the healthy range. 😊

It isnt now but I am aware that weight is about diet, not exercise and Im working on that.

OP posts:

Cormoran · 19/08/2025 13:11

If you have a predisposition to putting on muscle mass, spinning might not be the right exercise for you. Focus on workouts that bring strength more than hypertrophy. You need strength for later life, not hypertrophy.

Try pilates for a month. A proper one, not the free ones. I do B the method and you get the strength without the mass.

Gymbunny2025 · 20/08/2025 07:30

alittleprivacy · 19/08/2025 11:39

What is your weight like in general? I build muscle very easily and do a lot of strength work all over, but I only ever look bulky if I'm carrying too much fat. If I'm at a lower level of body fat, and I still mean having a body fat in the 20-25% region/bmi 21-23 - not unhealthily low level, I look look obviously very muscular but lean rather than bulky.

The problem is, that exercise uses a lot less energy than we think it does, while a lot of food is crazily calorie dense. So it's very easy to over compensate with too much food when we're very active. Or alternatively, eat low fat, which can be hormonally damaging to women and lead to difficulty losing fat.

I agree with this. I run and spin and my legs and bum are muscley but in a nice toned way that gives me shape.