Thicker or Thinner Thighs?

[curvie_girl]

Should pear shapes only do squats/lunges with 5# dumbells? Can you progress up in weight poundage for your legs as your body gets used to the weight? I have read that you should not do heavy weights for leg work and save the heavy weights for upper body work. So what is the appropriate maximum poundage for leg work?

Thank all in advance for their helpful comments.

 

[JAFitMama]

This is such a blanket statement that it really can't be answered in gereralities. Body types are so varied. What adds bulk on one body may slim down another body. It could depend on how much fat a person has to begin with and if they are working to exhaustion or not. There are just so many different variables that it is hard to predict results.

My best advice, and I am just an average Catheite, not over or under wight and probably more fit and muscle bound than the average american, is to try different types of workouts ( ie .predominantly endurance or strength, circuits or intervals or steady state cardio, more stretching or less stretching) for a given period of time say 4-6 weeks and take your measurements before and after. I would keep the food intake consistant thoughout this time and then just monitor your own personal results. Many people can give you advice, but what works for them may or may not work for you.

Best of luck and don't forget to report your results. You may discover something very beneficial for your body type. I hopw you do!

Judy
previously "Likes2bfit"

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[clareMc]

As Judy says, there are no set rules about maximum poundages for people with different body types.

But you could make a generalization and say that Leaner Legs with its maximum of the 35 or 30 pound barbell and high reps is more suitable for a pear than Slow & Heavy where your barbell could start at 50 pounds and keep heading up for really slow reps.

Legs & Glutes may also be more suitable for you because it hits the legs and glutes from multiple angles with a huge variety of different exercises and the poundage stays pretty low/moderate throughout.

Clare

 

[Gayle]

Hi there Curvie Girl-

I'm a pear and I firmly believe in a combination of heavy weight and "not as heavy weight" or Leg and Glute type workouts help me the most in the lower body. My definition of heavy means as heavy as I can lift, failure at 8-10 reps.

I also like to go heavy on the upper body too. It's just fun.

 

[futurefitnessdyanmo]

I like Judy's answer, because it suggests experimentation and measurement. Try something for awhile and measure it - did things change in a way you like? Awesome!!! In a way you didn't? Try the opposite or some such modification. Takes more patience but you really get to know your body and what works best for you...