The first thing people think of when they talk about runners is their legs. What exactly are runners’ legs, and how do runners get them?
Runners have toned strong legs. Calves, hamstrings, and quads are muscles that work and become lean as an individual runs regularly. Runners get these nicely toned legs from their dedicated strength training and health regimens.
If you’re interested in learning how to get runners’ legs, but don’t know where to start, then you’re in the right place! In the rest of this article, we’ll explain everything related to a runner’s legs and how you can get toned legs too!
Do Runners Have Toned Legs?
Running is a cardio-based workout that works the quads, calves, and hamstrings. The three of these working together result in what everyone today calls “runner’s legs.”
When you run, your legs take on a force of about seven times your body weight with every stride! The work of your body engaging with this force will tone the targeted muscle groups in your legs. Thus, runners who train regularly always have toned legs.
Not all runners have similar-looking legs, though. Long-distance runners tend to have leaner physiques than sprinters. Sprinters tend to have larger muscles. Larger muscles equal more speed. Their legs will still look toned but not as thin as a toned long-distance runner’s legs.
While known for toned legs, runners cannot strictly only tone their legs. Whenever you work out in any form, you work your whole body. While runners train, other parts become more toned but less obvious than their legs.
Are Runner Legs Strong?
A runner’s legs are one of the most powerful parts of their body! For years people looking to increase their leg strength have started running, especially those who prefer cardio over weight training.
Running improves your leg muscles’ endurance and power by developing lean muscle mass. The strength increases due to a runner having to propel their weight forward against gravity constantly. The force their legs work against can equal up to about 450 lbs!
However, the strength a runner’s legs have depends on their preferred running method and training—short explosive running like sprinting builds up more power than long-distance. Long-distance runners have strong legs, but they are not as strong. Their goal instead is primarily focused on endurance.
How Do I Get Runners Legs?
It is important to note that you will always need one thing when trying to get runners’ legs: consistency. Without consistent training, you will never tone your legs. You must be dedicated to your goals and work hard to achieve them.
Before you can get runners’ legs, you first need to decide your goals. You should start training like a sprinter if your goal is to have strong, muscularly toned legs. But if your goal is to have leaner, toned legs, start engaging in long-distance running techniques.
To train, you’ll need a healthy diet. A healthy diet for any runner includes just the right balance of proteins, fresh vegetables, and good carbohydrates. The ideal amount of these three and the perfect amount of calories needed for running varies per person and goal.
It’s important to know that runners need more protein in their diets. It helps build muscles and makes recovery easier. Eating grilled chicken or eggs after a run is a great way to keep the muscles happy and healthy.
You’ll also need to add some extra training to your routine. While running does the bulk of the work, it doesn’t do it all. Adding lunges and squats can help power up your legs and tone them further.
What Are Runners Legs – Final Thoughts
In conclusion, runners’ legs are incredibly strong and capable of carrying them for long distances. They are also essential in powering us through our everyday lives, helping us move quickly and efficiently from one place to another. So if you’re looking to get in shape and improve your running performance, make sure to focus on strengthening your legs!