Running instead of leg workout?

[plumdusty]

I am a 48 year old male trying to lose weight and tone up. I have gone from 295 in Oct 2014 to 195 today. I just started doing weight workouts about 6 weeks ago. I generally do arms and chest M-W-F and legs on T-TH. I also run 20-40 minutes every morning M-F. Recently I started having a little pain in my left knee(mainly walking up stairs). I stopped the leg workouts for a week and it pretty much went away. I still stuck to my running routine because it did not bother me when I ran. If I am running everyday do I really need to do legs on those two days?

[dbx]

I am a 48 year old male trying to lose weight and tone up. I have gone from 295 in Oct 2014 to 195 today. I just started doing weight workouts about 6 weeks ago. I generally do arms and chest M-W-F and legs on T-TH. I also run 20-40 minutes every morning M-F. Recently I started having a little pain in my left knee(mainly walking up stairs). I stopped the leg workouts for a week and it pretty much went away. I still stuck to my running routine because it did not bother me when I ran. If I am running everyday do I really need to do legs on those two days?

First, congrats on such a big weight loss! Second, running every single day (for over 20 and up to 40mins) isn't a wise thing. Thirdly, leg exercises with weights isn't close to the same thing as running. The closest possibility would be real sprinting and serious up hill running. Even then...still not the same. They work different parts of leg muscles and in different ways.

I would never advocate giving up running, but I would suggest you back off of it to maybe 3 runs per week. And btw, if your running on a treadmill, that's not even the same thing as running outdoors! Both burn calories, but outdoor running will work different areas that a TM won't, despite being harsher on your body.

[plumdusty]

I am a former collegiate runner. That is why I like to run. It feels good to be back at a weight where I can actually run again. I am worried if I stop running like I do I will quit all together. I run on an indoor track or outside. I don't really like treadmills. I am trying to find a way to get legs in without having the knee pain.

[x-trainer ben]

I am a former collegiate runner. That is why I like to run. It feels good to be back at a weight where I can actually run again. I am worried if I stop running like I do I will quit all together. I run on an indoor track or outside. I don't really like treadmills. I am trying to find a way to get legs in without having the knee pain.

"do I really need to do legs on those two days?"

What have you done for knee pain? Do you use ice packs, pain meds, massage, or heat? I ask because none of that was mentioned and i think that it is helpful on aging "parts."

[plumdusty]

the only thing i did for the knee pain was take time off. went away after a few days. i do need to point out it was not excruciating pain. just a little but enough for me to think i should take a couple days off.

[Bo_Flecks]

If I am running everyday do I really need to do legs on those two days?

No

/thread

[shaneinga]

Running will not give you the same exercise as actually doing a leg routine, but it really depends on what your goals are. Do you want to have big quads with nice separation, or do you just want to be healthier and to be able to run farther?

A good set of knee sleeves will help to keep your knees warm while you work out your legs and should help with soreness to an extent. I use rehbands model 7051s. Others like SBD sleeves, both are quality sleeves.

Before my leg day I have a stretching and warm up routine I do that takes about 15 minutes before I ever go and lift a weight. I put on my sleeves, go and do parts of Agile 8, you can google it there is a video, then I go and hop on the stationary bike for 2 miles to warm my knees up and then I am ready to work.

If I took a day off every time my knees were not feeling a 100 percent I would never work my legs.

[Bo_Flecks]

The OP said his goal was to lose weight and tone up. To reach that goal, there's absolutely no reason to work legs in the gym.

[CaptChip40]

Congrats on the 100 pound weight loss, you have proven that you are dedicated and have staying power. I have to agree with others, you like running, apparently more than weight training (nothing wrong with that) unless you care about developed legs for aesthetic reasons I would not worry about it.

[latverian41]

Depends on your goals man. Running is a good decent leg workout to some extent.

[Fishman15]

I am a former collegiate runner. That is why I like to run. It feels good to be back at a weight where I can actually run again. I am worried if I stop running like I do I will quit all together. I run on an indoor track or outside. I don't really like treadmills. I am trying to find a way to get legs in without having the knee pain.

Maybe try cutting out 1 running day and make that your one leg day. One thing I would figure out though is what specific exercise is causing your knee issue?

[induced_drag]

One thing I would figure out though is what specific exercise is causing your knee issue?

Yea...funny that he has not thought it might me the running that is causing it. It is one reason I dont run. Too much stress on joints. I can squat heavy no problem. "Jogging"....um....no. I can tell a big difference from 200lbs to 220. I could not imagine the beating the joints take jogging at heavier weights. The people I know with the most screwed up knees are always runners.

[Cass40]

I can't run anymore. Heck, my feet swell like an old grandma.

[Mark1T]

I can't run anymore. Heck, my feet swell like an old grandma.

It's ok, Cassie Lassie. I like girls with moderately big feet

I have to compromise somewhere, ok?

[Cass40]

It's ok, Cassie Lassie. I like girls with moderately big feet

I have to compromise somewhere, ok?

True. Nobody's perfect. Everything is big that's supposed to small, and everything is small that's supposed to be big in my body. However, I can live with it.

[plumdusty]

I want to get down to about 175. For me, the best way to do that is to run. That is how I dropped most of my weight. I still have a gut that I want to get rid of and I want to tone up my upper body and get a little definition going. Not trying to look like a beast but I would like to look better than I have in the past.

[Cass40]

My trainer threatens me with physical violence if I use the word "tone".

[SwoleCPA]

Yea...funny that he has not thought it might me the running that is causing it. It is one reason I dont run. Too much stress on joints. I can squat heavy no problem. "Jogging"....um....no. I can tell a big difference from 200lbs to 220. I could not imagine the beating the joints take jogging at heavier weights. The people I know with the most screwed up knees are always runners.

I thought the same thing. Whenever I try to get back into running all the nagging knee, heel and hip pains flare up.

[SwoleCPA]

I want to get down to about 175. For me, the best way to do that is to run. That is how I dropped most of my weight. I still have a gut that I want to get rid of and I want to tone up my upper body and get a little definition going. Not trying to look like a beast but I would like to look better than I have in the past.

This is a bodybuilding site, so most will suggest to find a way to work legs and find another way to get cardio. Working legs directly with squats and deadlifts will build your legs much more than running. More muscle equals more calorie burn. But if you are really set on running, keep running.

[Fishman15]

Yea...funny that he has not thought it might me the running that is causing it. It is one reason I dont run. Too much stress on joints. I can squat heavy no problem. "Jogging"....um....no. I can tell a big difference from 200lbs to 220. I could not imagine the beating the joints take jogging at heavier weights. The people I know with the most screwed up knees are always runners.

This is just hitting way too close to home right now. Recently had knee surgery, recently went from 200 to 220, recently started running again, and now recently screwed up my other knee. Hmmm....

[x-trainer ben]

I want to get down to about 175. For me, the best way to do that is to run. That is how I dropped most of my weight. I still have a gut that I want to get rid of and I want to tone up my upper body and get a little definition going. Not trying to look like a beast but I would like to look better than I have in the past.

OK well since you said 175, which is a heavy runner the last time I checked Runners World magazine, then keep doing what you are doing. Be mindful that running also breaks down muscle, but since you love it keep getting your mile times down. The legs will tighten from the miles and pounding, and if the joint pain is temporary then do the basic therapies and enjoy.

For the record, knee pain seems to come and go depending on how heavy I lift and how many miles I cover in a week.

[Fishman15]

I want to get down to about 175. For me, the best way to do that is to run. That is how I dropped most of my weight. I still have a gut that I want to get rid of and I want to tone up my upper body and get a little definition going. Not trying to look like a beast but I would like to look better than I have in the past.

I totally get the obsession with cardio to lose weight...it's been your rock. Just keep in mind...if you screw up your knees you won't be able to run any more and you will be forced to control all your weight loss with diet. That is not a strength for me I know. I'm pretty much in your shoes right now. I'm sticking to the eliptical machine to burn those calories until my knees feel a lot better.

[dbx]

A lot of great responses in here, but like always, when running and lifting are mentioned in a single thread, the "original question" gets lost to some degree, if it was even specific to start with.

What do I mean? Such things like:
1. Running is great cardio and I once started a running thread in here because I too, fell in love it (after hating it for quite a while).

2. But as mentioned by others, running will NOT build your legs in any close proportion to what you might be trying to currently do with your upper body. My legs still suck (chicken legs), but they'd be even much worse if I hadn't worked them with squats, SLDL's, extensions, lying curls, calf raises etc... It's just a fact.

3. I'd also like to mention that I was lifting 1st, before trying to run...and I KNOW my weight sessions helped me with running. In the same breath, I can say that light running helped me with circulation & recovery the day after my heavier leg weight sessions.

4. I found it tough to balance both toward the end (been inactive for a while), but it was definitely doable.

Lastly, like others have mentioned; find out what causes the knee probelm from lifting. Chances are, with you being so new at it, you're probably doing squats with the wrong foot/toe angle...and maybe even stance width (or combo of both). It's not so intuitive when you first begin, and it takes time to find your own groove. It's also quite possible that from all the years of running, you've way over developed your quads vs your hams. This imbalance can cause many problems too! look it up, check it out.

I tried to fine the runner's thread to share link, but it appears all my previous threads were erased when I was sent into a witness protection program .

[Bo_Flecks]

This is a bodybuilding site, so most will suggest to find a way to work legs and find another way to get cardio.

I'm not going to pick on CPA dude here, but this part of his post shows what happens on this site a lot. People don't pay attention to the OP's goals and infuse their own goals instead.

The OP explained he was a collegiate runner. That he wanted to lose weight and tone. He wanted to know if he really needed to work legs in the gym.

The answer to the OP's question is NO.

[dbx]

I'm not going to pick on CPA dude here, but this part of his post shows what happens on this site a lot. People don't pay attention to the OP's goals and infuse their own goals instead.

The OP explained he was a collegiate runner. That he wanted to lose weight and tone. He wanted to know if he really needed to work legs in the gym.

The answer to the OP's question is NO.

But dang it, Bo! A "collegiate runner" means he probably was doing that about, oh, 27+ years ago, as he's 48 now. And since he's "entered" into lifting, I just want him to know there are real options to meet his goal(s). You can burn some damn calories doing leg exercises in the gym, right? I know, I know....he wants to lose more weight, but that doesn't mean he can't transition between running and lifting. That's all I'm saying.

[mslman71]

Perhaps it's simply an overuse issue or the manifestation of an underlying defect aggravated specifically by whatever your leg routine is at the gym. There's no rule that you can't leave out legs but it might be worth looking into leg routines that are geared towards runners. I run 40-50 miles per week and approach legs a lot differently than I used to. My objective with legs now is to maintain a reasonable base strength but more specifically to improve calf/achilles strength and flexibility, adductor/abductor/glute-med balance, and quad/hamstring balance. These three approaches are to manage and prevent injuries that I at least appear specifically prone to having as a result of running. If I tried to combine the running and a truly aggressive strength training program for legs I'd be crippled (I tried it, for a short time).

[mikieson]

OP you want a good way to build thicker,stronger legs? Bike ride..Standing up while peddling also builds the buns..Very little impact on the body as like with swimming..Running is ok but in general will wear you out faster. Its honestly not good for the body over all. im my opinion when done daily..

[Gabbar99]

I am a 48 year old male trying to lose weight and tone up. I have gone from 295 in Oct 2014 to 195 today. I just started doing weight workouts about 6 weeks ago. I generally do arms and chest M-W-F and legs on T-TH. I also run 20-40 minutes every morning M-F. Recently I started having a little pain in my left knee(mainly walking up stairs). I stopped the leg workouts for a week and it pretty much went away. I still stuck to my running routine because it did not bother me when I ran. If I am running everyday do I really need to do legs on those two days?

Kinda apples and oranges.

I've been a runner for close to 30 years at 240 to 310 lbs and have never been injured. Ran a marathon (my 5th) this past November at about 270 lbs. When I'm into running, it's hard to find the physical and mental energy to do lower-body lifting. Plus the lifting leaves your legs dead for running for the next day or longer depending on how hard you lift.

Runners refer to lifting as "cross-training" and can't imagine why you'd lift if it doesn't improve your running. Lifters refer to running as "doing cardio" and can't imagine why you'd run except for fat-burning. I don't cross-train and I don't do cardio. I lift and I run, each for its own sake.

Currently I'm squatting and deadlifting twice a week and running about 5 times per week, but only doing about 20 miles per week. I'm more into lifting currently. Plus, I lost control of my eating after the marathon and put about 20 lbs back on, which makes the running harder and the lifting easier. Last summer and fall when the weather was nice and I was ramping up mileage for the marathon, lifting fell down the priority list and I pretty much dropped it.

You can work hard at both lifting and running, but it's tricky and takes time, mental and physical energy, and planning. I've found it hard to care about both at the same time. One might help the other slightly, but not a whole lot. Doing some of both is good for general health, but you don't need to feel obligated to lift if you find yourself getting into running.

[Bo_Flecks]

But dang it, Bo! A "collegiate runner" means he probably was doing that about, oh, 27+ years ago, as he's 48 now. And since he's "entered" into lifting, I just want him to know there are real options to meet his goal(s). You can burn some damn calories doing leg exercises in the gym, right? I know, I know....he wants to lose more weight, but that doesn't mean he can't transition between running and lifting. That's all I'm saying.

I agree with most everything you said, my friend. I personally would not miss leg day on a bet.

But...My point is, people don't seem to read the original post anymore. They just rush to post.

We all know squatting is a cure for cancer, teh AIDS, and every sort of back malady known to man, but the OP asked a simple question. Do I need to train legs if I'm running?

No.

Nowhere did I see a bodybuilding or powerlifting goal.

[SwoleCPA]

I agree with most everything you said, my friend. I personally would not miss leg day on a bet.

But...My point is, people don't seem to read the original post anymore. They just rush to post.

We all know squatting is a cure for cancer, teh AIDS, and every sort of back malady known to man, but the OP asked a simple question. Do I need to train legs if I'm running?

No.

Nowhere did I see a bodybuilding or powerlifting goal.

Read the post, but he is here to ask other people's opinions....therefore gave MY opinion. I believe training legs take priority, but it's just my opinion. And if his goal doesn't relate to bodybuilding at all why is the OP on a bodybuilding forum.