Walking Myths
Tuesday March 28, 2006
In talking with several bodybuilding trainees I've come across a couple of myths regarding walking that I feel need to be clarified as soon as possible.
Myth #1: I don't need to train my legs because I walk alot and that keeps them in shape. Typically, this myth comes from beginning male bodybuilders who want an excuse to skip their leg workouts.
Fact: Walking targets slow twitch muscle fibers which become highly efficient at performing repetitious activity. These fibers have very little growth potential. At first, you may grow a bit in size and harden up if your body is not used to the activity (this is assuming that you have been pretty sedentary before), but once that small growth spurt happens there will be no further increases in size. If you want big legs, then you better get under that squat rack. Do 10 sets of 10 reps of squats and watch your legs grow.
A good article that further expands on this subject was written by Lorra Garrick, CPT and is titled: Will I Get Big Leg Muscles From Walking? This article also talks about how to make your walking sessions more effective which is vital for us bodybuilders who are trimming down for Spring, Summer or a Bodybuilding Competition.
Myth #2: I don't want to walk because walking gives me big calves! This myth typically come from female athletes that feel their calves will grow out of proportion if they walk.
Fact: Again, like we said above, walking targets slow twitch muscle fibers. Unless you are super genetically gifted, it will be very unlikely that you will get big calves alone just from walking. As a matter of fact, calves are one of those muscles that need alot of focused high intensity bodybuilding training in order to get them to respond since they are used every day as we walk.
A good article that further expands on this subject was written by our Walking Guide Wendy Bumgardner, and is titled: Is Walking Giving Me Big Calves?
I hope this helps dispel some myths about walking. If you want to get in shape for Spring or Summer you have to do some cardio and the best way to do that, in my opinion, is to walk at a challenging pace. Come to think about it, it's my time to hit the treadmill and do my walking workout. Happy walking!
Myth #1: I don't need to train my legs because I walk alot and that keeps them in shape. Typically, this myth comes from beginning male bodybuilders who want an excuse to skip their leg workouts.
Fact: Walking targets slow twitch muscle fibers which become highly efficient at performing repetitious activity. These fibers have very little growth potential. At first, you may grow a bit in size and harden up if your body is not used to the activity (this is assuming that you have been pretty sedentary before), but once that small growth spurt happens there will be no further increases in size. If you want big legs, then you better get under that squat rack. Do 10 sets of 10 reps of squats and watch your legs grow.
A good article that further expands on this subject was written by Lorra Garrick, CPT and is titled: Will I Get Big Leg Muscles From Walking? This article also talks about how to make your walking sessions more effective which is vital for us bodybuilders who are trimming down for Spring, Summer or a Bodybuilding Competition.
Myth #2: I don't want to walk because walking gives me big calves! This myth typically come from female athletes that feel their calves will grow out of proportion if they walk.
Fact: Again, like we said above, walking targets slow twitch muscle fibers. Unless you are super genetically gifted, it will be very unlikely that you will get big calves alone just from walking. As a matter of fact, calves are one of those muscles that need alot of focused high intensity bodybuilding training in order to get them to respond since they are used every day as we walk.
A good article that further expands on this subject was written by our Walking Guide Wendy Bumgardner, and is titled: Is Walking Giving Me Big Calves?
I hope this helps dispel some myths about walking. If you want to get in shape for Spring or Summer you have to do some cardio and the best way to do that, in my opinion, is to walk at a challenging pace. Come to think about it, it's my time to hit the treadmill and do my walking workout. Happy walking!
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