I love running. Ever since going from 175 lbs to 145 lbs in the last 3 years (I’m 5′ 7.5″, so 175 lbs was a little overweight for me), running is what really kept my body lean and feeling the most fit. It gets easier if you keep the routine too.
Get Healty and Toned
I run for about 20 minutes day for a little over 2 miles on average about 6 days a week (I like to take breaks here and there too :p). So, my fiance, Stella, finally joins me in my running regimen as we go out for a jog along the coast or at the gym. And she’s getting used to the routine of daily running.
I don’t want bulky calves
And I’m so happy that she made that decision. It will keep her happy about doing something to maintain her health, and we can go out and eat almost anything we want without feeling guilty. But then she sees some muscular development on her calves. “Will my calves get bulky from running?” Hmmm, that is a good question. Because she cares a lot about her figure and wants to keep her legs slim and not bulked up. I look at my legs and the muscles are all chunky. I figured her light weight and jogging pace wouldn’t make her develop bigger muscles. But I wasn’t completely sure of my logic.
Didn’t trust myself, so I did some research
Well, I didn’t want to promise her that she’ll be fine and a few months later her calves look like big chunk filet mignons. So I went online and did some research. Apparently, many people are saying if you run a slow and steady pace (jogging is what I like to call it) then you won’t develop bigger muscles. Most importantly, avoid running hills or running with a “grade” on a treadmill. I run up hills a lot, so that explains why my thighs are like hams (or then again it could be genetic, anyways…).
The final verdict to stay toned but not bulky
So running on a flat surface and at a steady jogging pace will help you tone up and not get bulky muscles on your legs. You can read up on some real life discussions I came across here at About.com – link1, link2.
So for all of you who want to use the excuse of not wanting bulky leg muscles to avoid running, here is your solution 
. And for all of you that are running already and want to keep/develop slim/toned legs, keep up hill running at a minimum and run at a slow and steady calorie-burning pace.
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
hi, i run about 30 mins at speed of 6-8 on treadmill, but what would u recommend as long distance runnig, so like running for 1hour on 6?
could u email please
thanks, cause at thej moment my legs are getting bulky ( aaaaaaaaaaaaagh) haha
@rux – yup, speed has a factor in it too. Longer distance at a slower pace will actually get you thinner and burn muscle which helps reduce the bulkiness. Just look at pictures and compare marathon runners vs. Olympic sprinters. Notice marathon runners are super skinny and sprinters have large legs.
In my post, I was just making a point to not run up hills or have a gradient which affects bulk. And your point is right on longer distance at a slower pace to get thin.
Thanks for the comment!