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Running or Bodybuilding?

post #1 of 63
5/12/10 at 3:37pm
Thread Starter 
I'm at a point right now where I could either continue lifting heavily and gain a lot of muscle mass, or, I can start running and gradual work to have running be my main goal to push. What have people here done and maybe a someone could make a pro and con list of the two? Thank you.
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post #2 of 63
5/12/10 at 4:21pm
Hmmm... that's like asking whether you should take piano lessons or join a book club. IDK, what are your goals? If you want to be big, lift. If you want to be thin and fast, run.
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post #3 of 63
5/12/10 at 4:27pm
i have never seen a non-sprinter with an enviable body
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post #4 of 63
5/12/10 at 4:28pm
^^ Agree with this dude.

There is no right answer. What are YOUR goals? What is your body composition like currently? Are you wanting to do a marathon or a bodybuilding competition? Is this for sport performance or simply aesthetics? No right or wrong answer but you need to provide more info.
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post #5 of 63
5/12/10 at 4:29pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lizen View Post
I'm at a point right now where I could either continue lifting heavily and gain a lot of muscle mass, or, I can start running and gradual work to have running be my main goal to push. What have people here done and maybe a someone could make a pro and con list of the two? Thank you.

Weightlifting will give you muscle which will turn to fat as you age. Running will strain your joints, which will deteriorate as you age. Lesson - watch tv.
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post #6 of 63
5/12/10 at 4:31pm
Why would you want to go so drastically one way or the other? I don't like this question. You can push towards goals that take from either/both discipline.
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post #7 of 63
5/12/10 at 4:42pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by thekunk07 View Post
i have never seen a non-sprinter with an enviable body

just springy you'll get best of both
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post #8 of 63
5/12/10 at 4:59pm
Here's a friend of mine who regularly runs 5ks, 10ks.... not a marathoner but puts in a fair few miles each week.

He's a natty, no hulk by any stretch but quite accomplished on stage. You can do both but have to have the right metabolic type, really be tuned in on diet and workout. He a Scivation-sponsored BB'er.

On the far left:


On the left in red:
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post #9 of 63
5/12/10 at 5:04pm
definitely the exception.
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post #10 of 63
5/12/10 at 5:14pm
Thread Starter 
As far as my goals, I want to be strong enough to hold my own when it comes to bodyweight exercises. I want to be as aesthetically pleasing as possible, and it seems lean is the way to be. Time to start pounding out some miles.
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post #11 of 63
5/12/10 at 5:43pm
I would do a little of both and any decent fitness plan would include both. Most of my running is based on sprints or intervals as I have a tendency to get too thin if I run a lot of distance. I agree with thekunk07 about most serious distance runners not having enviable bodies, but I would also argue against lifting just to gain a lot of muscle mass. Unless you're a skinny 16 year old looking to bulk up to make the football team, why put on a bunch of mass? It sounds cool to show off your guns when you're 23, but as you age, you'll be more concerned about just being fit and being able to use your body like you used to when you were younger. Try and aim for a happy medium that keeps you fit with minimal effort and keeps you injury free.
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post #12 of 63
5/12/10 at 6:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by thekunk07 View Post
definitely the exception.

He's also an animal when it comes to flipping tires.
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post #13 of 63
5/12/10 at 6:04pm
A good balance of the two is the best option really.
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post #14 of 63
5/12/10 at 7:13pm
Take up rowing. It's [some of] the most intense cardio you can do, it builds strength, mass, and definition all throughout the body (especially so in the thighs, back, and forearms). To boot, rowing teaches you serious mental endurance. For reference, here's a photo of the world champion Danish Lightweight 4-. These guys all weigh 160 lbs. or less. Considering their weight, these guys look ridiculously jacked.
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post #15 of 63
5/12/10 at 7:54pm
Do rowers cut before events?
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