Thin Thighs?

Question

I read this article: http://www.thebodyseries.com/newsletters/2003/10/10_03_2003.html

And it says that dancer's have big thighs? My cardio is dancing 30-60 minutes 3 to 4 times a week, and it's the hip-hop kind. I've already lost 10 pounds (yes!) and my thighs did get slimmer than it used to, but it's still big. Any comments or suggestions? I really, really want SLIM thighs.

And is it really true that dancers get big thighs, because I've been told that it doesn't? And it bothers me a bit because look at dancers like Rihanna and Beyonce, they have big thighs. I'm not saying it in a negative way, it's just that that's not the kind of body I'm aiming for, not the vuluptious thighs. I'm aiming for a slim body with slim thighs. Thin thighs, so I really hope you guys can help me. :)

And my thighs are composed of muscle (not big muscle) but more composed of fat.

To the first replier:

But don't most dancers have really thin thighs? Maybe it's just your genetics that gave you really toned and muscular thighs.

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I asked a question here before asking if dancing make your thighs/legs bigger, and they all said no, it doesn't. My thighs got thinner because of dancing, so doesn't that mean that if continue my diet and exercise (which is dancing), won't it get thinner again?

To the first replier:

But don't most dancers have really thin thighs? Maybe it's just your genetics that gave you really toned and muscular thighs.

*********************************
I asked a question here before asking if dancing make your thighs/legs bigger, and they all said no, it doesn't. My thighs got thinner because of dancing, so doesn't that mean that if continue my diet and exercise (which is dancing), won't it get thinner again?

DISREGARD ABOVE!





To the first replier:

But don't most BALLET dancers have really thin thighs? Maybe it's just your genetics that gave you really toned and muscular thighs.

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I asked a question here before asking if dancing make your thighs/legs bigger, and they all said no, it doesn't. My thighs got thinner because of dancing, so doesn't that mean that if continue my diet and exercise (which is dancing), won't it get thinner again?

Answer 1

Hi Nicky!

Very interesting article, I must say!

I have to agree with both the author and the answerers of your earlier question. Let me tell you how-

The author of the newsletter article cited by you is right in saying that dancers do get bigger thighs. The reason lies in their mode of work-out rather than the dance form performed by them.

In the link cited by me (see source below), you can see that Iliopsoas muscle of the hip helps in flexion which is a repeated movement in the work-out emplyed by dancers (Rihanna, Beyonce included!)

When you make your muscles stretch and relax over and over again, they acquire two things:-

1- Muscle Tonus (tone)

Which means the muscles tend to always remain in a state of partial contraction. Such a muscle can react more rapidly which is a good thing.

Now comes the bad thing-

2- Increase in muscle size (Noooo!!)

Although there is no increase in the number of muscle cells, regular exercise results in proportionate increase of the contents of the cell.

The muscles enlarge due to increase in the amount of sarcoplasm and increase in the number of myofilaments and mitochondria.

Ok.... so if you stop reading this answer from here, you'll think that I am trying to tell you that muscles will get bulky if you continue with your cardio and I disagree with other answerers about dancers (ballerinas) having lean thighs.

Read on for a "twist in the tale"-

Ballet dancers and others aiming for thin thighs and longer muscles (rather than bulky muscles) employ a set of exercises which focus on their inner thigh work-out rather than their quadriceps.
Here is an article to tell you more:-
http://experts.about.com/q/Ballet-3159/Excercises.htm

As quadriceps help in flexion (bring the knee upward), their constant use makes your thigh bulky.

But, in ballet, you need to straighten a limb (or "extend" it) to create the correct "ballet body-line" rather than bulking it up. So... the ballerina doesn't do the flexion exercise. Instead, she does the Extension exercises. (see the image in the link provided in source below).

Those exercises help her inner thigh muscle strengthen and keep her thigh "straight" instead of "bent upwards".

Also, for Ballet and "thigh-straightening" exercises, emphasis is laid more on stretching than repeated movements. If you want a flexible, lean body; you should lay more emphasis on keeping the limb in a stretched condition rather than doing vigorous aerobic movements. But, stretching should be done under strict supervision or guidance or it might result in cramps and injuries.

So... as you can see, it is really a matter of which specific muscle you want to strengthen or work on... and you can ask your physical instructor to provide with those exercises which let you bulk-up certain "hip extensors" and "thigh extensors" like inner thigh muscles AND straighten up or leave alone certain "hip flexors" and "thigh flexors" like Iliopsoas and Quadriceps. (muscles)


I sincerely hope that this answer helps you.

Wishing you good luck for the new year 2007 and beyond!

Please note that I am no expert on the topic though. Take care!

Answer 2

Dancers generally have larger legs because of muscle mass. Having done dance (ballet, tap, jazz) for ten years, I developed very toned, muscular legs. Thus, I did not have slim legs. I had a lot of definition.

I'm not sure if your level of working out would cause a large increase in muscle mass. In any event, I think you should continue the cardio work outs and if you seem unhappy with the results, look for something else. But keep in mind: toned legs will never be tinytinytiny. Healthy, muscled thighs don't come in toothpick size.

Answer 3

i do no longer understand in case you have digital Cable or no longer, yet once you do, bypass to Excersize one call for and there's a Cheer one... it says that Paula Abdul is in it yet they're totaly mendacity yet easily, after 10 min of that video i grew to become into demise! the subsequent 2 days, my inner thighs have been burning! i've got on no account completed any excersize that worked my inner thighs so properly!