How much running would it take to build a decent amount of muscle?

Question

Running does somewhat build muscles, but at a very slow, and low intensity. I've seen pics of elite or marathon runners, who just run and have strong muscles, no lifting weights. Would it take like 50 miles a week to look muscular?

Answer 1

running will never build muscle,
i know,
I'm an armature body builder.
running will only serve the purpose of making you look
more vascular, or show more muscle fibers through your
skin. they only way to get big muscles is to lift big weights.
i'm not saying go and bench 300 pound for 12 reps,
lift whats heavy to you.
if 100 pounds is heavy, then bench100 pounds for 6 reps
until it gets easier. then move to 110 pounds for 6 reps.
your muscles will never grow without working them.
muscles grow because of micro trauma, the tearing of the
muscle tissue, then your muscles are repaired to be thicker and stronger to withstand more punishment next
time. also eat right. after you work out eat 100 grams of
carbs 30 minutes after than an hour later have 35 grams
of protien. i could go on forever. but i won't
bottom line is, no amount of running will ever make you build any amount of muscle. it may even tear down some.

p.s. hope that helps you.

Answer 2

I agree with the other answerers. Running makes it extremely tough to take on muscle mass.

You'd be burning an insane amount of calories, especially if you are hitting 50 miles a week, so you'd have to consume lots of calories, just to make up for the ones you are losing to running.

The elite marathon runners all have low body fat (a side effect to running) so you can see what little they have. In addition, most of them do some sort of weight work outs. They aren't lifting super heavy, but they are in the gym moving the weights around.

If you enjoy running, that's great. Go for it. You'll trim up and probably lose substantial amounts of body fat (especially if you run 50 miles per week). But the only muscles you are likely to build are in your legs / calves.

Good luck.

Answer 3

endurance running makes your muscle smaller. sprinting makes your leg muscles bigger. i wouldn't waste my time trying to build muscle by running long distance. i would say you should sprint 40 yards or 40 meters as fast as you can, do about 8 one week. with 1 minute break. then the next week do 10 and same break and all and so on. when you get to 20, take a 3 minute break when you get to 10. do this about twice a week.

Answer 4

I heard that runnin only makes you lose the fat. If it builds muscles it be in ur legs. But 50 miles a wk, is overdoing it in my opinion. Id say go for it because youll stay healthy.

Answer 5

It depends on how far you live from the nearest steakhouse.... I'd run down there and eat a 24 ounce steak every night then walk home.

Answer 6

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