losing muscle through running?

ash2008

Hi,

ive heard that running can cause a loss of muscle. Is this something that should concern me (ive been running less than a year, try to go 3/4 times a week doing a mix of some long runs of about 40mins and intervals) or is this something that applies to athletes or long distance runners?

Im not looking to have loads of muscles anyway (im female), but id like to look a bit leaner. I do bodyweight strength exercises as i cant afford the gym right now. Is this enough to prevent muscle loss?

thanks

mufcboy1999

ash2008 wrote: »

Hi,

ive heard that running can cause a loss of muscle. Is this something that should concern me (ive been running less than a year, try to go 3/4 times a week doing a mix of some long runs of about 40mins and intervals) or is this something that applies to athletes or long distance runners?

Im not looking to have loads of muscles anyway (im female), but id like to look a bit leaner. I do bodyweight strength exercises as i cant afford the gym right now. Is this enough to prevent muscle loss?

thanks

you should look into crossfit traninig if your that worried about losing muscle through cardio etc.

crossfit will give you the best of both worlds, you can really get that lean look aswell aswell as keep and improve your CV fitness.

gerard65

ash2008 wrote: »

Hi,

ive heard that running can cause a loss of muscle.
thanks

You won't lose muscle from running. You lose muscles if you don't use them.

xebec

Running combined with a good diet - enough protein and carbs - should not lead to muscle loss. Combining the running with bodyweight exercises like you're doing will help get you to the lean body you're looking for and is a great combination for overall health.

It is worth looking at Crossfit and some other websites to make sure you're doing the exercises correctly and maximising the time you spend on the exercises and getting the most benefit out of the time you're putting in.

unga bunga

gerard65 wrote: »

You won't lose muscle from running. You lose muscles if you don't use them.

Hi There,

Contrary to the infromation outlined in the above quote - any extended period of endurance type/aerobic activity (with a corresponding reduction in the amount of power-based/anaerobic activity) will result in a reduction of muscle mass from your current levels, presuming you are currently untrained in endurance activity.

Easiest way to understand this concept is to look at the physique of an olympic sprinter versus olympic distance runner. Two completely different physiques holding different types & levels of muscle mass, each developed through power/endurance sport respectively.

Sprinter does virtually no endurance work, distance runner no power work.

If you are training for aesthetics and want a balanced physique, go with previous posters recommendation of adopting a "crossfit" style training methodology combines all the aspects of fitness (including strength & endurance) in appropriate proportions...