my legs are too big

[jharpst]

I'll try to keep this as short as possible;

I just turned 20 a couple of weeks ago, I'm 6ft tall and around 193 pounds, with a pretty athletic build. After I turned 18 heading into my senior year of high school, I was recruited to play baseball at a local D2 college. Up until that point, I had never lifted before, so I figured it was a good time to start. My greatest asset on the field was my speed, and I naturally already had big and strong legs. Once I started lifting, I kept getting bigger, stronger, and faster. Half way through my freshman year of college I was able to squat 370 pretty easily, and was still going up. But the rest of my body was just lagging behind (I might have been able to bench 200? Still can probably only do 200). I know 370 isn't that much, but it's just for comparison's sake.

Eventually I started putting on enough weight that it slowed me down, so I eased off the squats. A month ago I decided not to return for baseball, so now I am strictly lifting to get the body that I think looks the best. And as the title hints, my legs are still huge. I haven't squatted above 300 in months, but still have them in my routine. It seems impossible for me to achieve the desired V-shape because my tree trunk legs stick out so much. I've already gone through the phase of growing out of pants, chafing holes in my jeans and having to constantly wear compression shorts so that I don't rub the insides of my legs raw. But I'm done with that now, and I'm struggling to get my upper body to catch up with my lower body so that I look 'normal' in some senses.

I've considered just dropping squats all together, but that doesn't sound too appealing to me and I'm not sure how effective it would really be. I'd love to hear some suggestions or tips if anyone has some.



-I'm currently doing a split routine 4 days a week, as well as 3 or 4 days of HIIT cardio for 20-30 minutes.
-I haven't taken any supplements really besides whey protein, because the NCAA is strict about a lot of things and I didn't feel like researching everything I put in my body to make sure it was legal.

[NickGDella]

Any pics man? And you could always just go heavy less than 4 reps at least 3 sets to maintain strength instead of just dropping squats which I don't believe in. You could definitely ease off if you do think your legs are too big.. A of would be helpful to us all answering for you though.

[jharpst]

Any pics man? And you could always just go heavy less than 4 reps at least 3 sets to maintain strength instead of just dropping squats which I don't believe in. You could definitely ease off if you do think your legs are too big.. A of would be helpful to us all answering for you though.

Yea here's one I just took. Hopefully it uploads alright.

I can get better pictures in the morning.

[NickGDella]

Damn dude surprised you didn't play linebacker for D2 Mirin them quads. Your body looks in proportion actually. No need to cut out leg work in fact I don't think id tone it down just maybe it upper body twice a week if u wanted. Yeah you look fine man just keep doing what your doing.

[buzzbot]

I think you're pretty well proportioned tbh, leg dominant bodies are cool AF. Lol at those shorts though, leave a little mystery

[ErikTheElectric]

Please provide pictures of your "big legs".

[NicholasMango]

Please provide pictures of your "big legs".

[ErikTheElectric]

I'm being serious.

[tonyl96]

Ill have them if u don't want them

[jharpst]

Thanks for the feedback guys, I appreciate it.

Please provide pictures of your "big legs".

Yea let me rephrase - my legs are bigger than I'd like them to be.

[xcountryrunner]

its not your legs that are holding back your v taper, its that you carry most of your fat around your waist, so u have a big waist. Cut some bodyfat and your body will look much better. Your legs are fine, big legs are awesome.

[Xndndn]

Stacked legs! I'd love beast legs personally but everyone to their own

[Meadey]

why do you want small legs?
and how does having larger legs interfere with a v-taper?

[jharpst]

its not your legs that are holding back your v taper, its that you carry most of your fat around your waist, so u have a big waist. Cut some bodyfat and your body will look much better. Your legs are fine, big legs are awesome.

Ok thanks. I've been trying to do that by incorporating HIIT. My %BF is somewhere between 10.5-12 (according to a magic scale that probably isn't very reliable). Is there a certain number I should aim for?

[jharpst]

why do you want small legs?
and how does having larger legs interfere with a v-taper?

I don't want small legs, just smaller I guess. In my opinion, my legs make my back appear smaller. CountryRunner is right, I could afford to shed some weight around my waist to help with it.

[andale927]

Ok thanks. I've been trying to do that by incorporating HIIT. My %BF is somewhere between 10.5-12 (according to a magic scale that probably isn't very reliable). Is there a certain number I should aim for?

You are actually more close to the 15-17% BF range, you need to aim for about 10-12% in order to look lean and increase your taper.

Most scales use impedance to measure BF which is extremely inaccurate because muscle and fat both conduct electricity. If you had exactly average muscle mass then the scale would be able to calculate your BF accurately and that's not taking into account water intake.

[jharpst]

You are actually more close to the 15-17% BF range, you need to aim for about 10-12% in order to look lean and increase your taper.

Most scales use impedance to measure BF which is extremely inaccurate because muscle and fat both conduct electricity. If you had exactly average muscle mass then the scale would be able to calculate your BF accurately and that's not taking into account water intake.

Well that's a reality check. Definitely a motivator for me though.

[Johneffer]

I don't want small legs, just smaller I guess. In my opinion, my legs make my back appear smaller. CountryRunner is right, I could afford to shed some weight around my waist to help with it.

cut some ****in weight than your legs hold a lot of fat and water

[jcrefeld]

your legs will look fine if you drop your bodyfat dude. They're honestly pretty well proportioned with the rest of you.

[SamSix]

your legs are not that big.

i think my legs are small so yours are tiny




you also have a lot of fat/water on your thighs. just squat damn it lol

[ErikTheElectric]

OPs legs are too big.