Got Quads?

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I'm easily 20#s heavier than ideal for my height and build (I'm nearly 155 at just < 5'4"), but I love how beastly my thighs are. Sunday was the Tour de Tahoe and I rode it with the JDRF Ride to Cure team. I was really nervous about all of the climbing and especially at elevation with asthma...but I surprised myself. The steep switchbacks fairly early in the ride were barely a blip on my radar. I was passing people like mad, including lots of people who walked their bikes up. At my ideal weight I think I could be kind of a semi-monster! :p
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/643988_4258365868956_1375854981_n.jpg

[Owlie]

High five! Hills kill me. I just tell myself that there's no shame in walking.

I also don't put on a ton of extra muscle bulk. Maybe that means I'm not riding enough.

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I also don't put on a ton of extra muscle bulk. Maybe that means I'm not riding enough.

Nah, I'm a solid mesomorph...I bulk pretty easily. You ride plenty! :D

[jessmarimba]

Haha... I bulk up a little, too. My BF made a comment the other day on "how big my thighs were" - I knew what he meant & was not truly offended but it was funny listening to him try to backpedal his way out of that one!

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I consider it a compliment when my hubby comments on my thighs...he has ENORMOUS thighs and likes me "sturdy," as he puts it. ;) Our kid is a beanpole, but we have no doubts that once he hits puberty his legs are going to get beefy, too. Both his dad and I were pretty twiggy as kids.

[Elphaba]

Also a mesomorph. Never was a beanpole! ;)
Me too. Kristen, you look great. I am 5'4" and 150 give or take. I have lost 35 pounds in the past 2 years and have pretty much determined this is where my body is happy. I know I carry extra weight in my rear and thighs. In fact, my 11-year- old son keeps telling me he heard on tv that larger legs are a sign of a healthy heart. Keep active, keep an eye on what you eat and the rest will take care of itself.

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In fact, my 11-year- old son keeps telling me he heard on tv that larger legs are a sign of a healthy heart. Keep active, keep an eye on what you eat and the rest will take care of itself.

Yes...there was recently something to that effect--that people who carry a reasonable amount of extra weight on their lower half are actually healthier than people who are slim all over. I think we may have even discussed that here. My MIL is quite slim and weighs less than I do, even though she is 4.5" taller than I am and all legs, but she's always had high BP, high triglycerides, and is on statins. I see stars if I stand up too fast and my blood work does not look like #s that belong with someone who is a bit soft.

[Cycling Sister]

I'm easily 20#s heavier than ideal for my height and build (I'm nearly 155 at just < 5'4"), but I love how beastly my thighs are. Sunday was the Tour de Tahoe and I rode it with the JDRF Ride to Cure team. I was really nervous about all of the climbing and especially at elevation with asthma...but I surprised myself. The steep switchbacks fairly early in the ride were barely a blip on my radar. I was passing people like mad, including lots of people who walked their bikes up. At my ideal weight I think I could be kind of a semi-monster!


Amazing quads!!! I'm jealous at the definition! I always hear people say that a lower body weight is important when climbing. However, I think muscle mass is more important. My quads are not very muscular. Women who weigh 20 plus pounds more than me routinely beat me up hills.

[Owlie]

Yes...there was recently something to that effect--that people who carry a reasonable amount of extra weight on their lower half are actually healthier than people who are slim all over. I think we may have even discussed that here. My MIL is quite slim and weighs less than I do, even though she is 4.5" taller than I am and all legs, but she's always had high BP, high triglycerides, and is on statins. I see stars if I stand up too fast and my blood work does not look like #s that belong with someone who is a bit soft.

I think that applies only if the slim person isn't fit--I think it was called "thin fat" or something, where there's fat deposits around organs that doesn't show on the outside...may well apply in my case, though, since I manage to store fat solely in my abdomen and inner thighs. Thanks, genes.

I was just looking at photos from when I started riding (2009ish, when I was still walking everywhere). Compared to then, I do have quads!

[TigerMom]

Proud of you. Excellent job. Keep it up!
____________________________________

2012 Specialized Amira Elite, upgraded carbon handle bars, Jett saddle 143mm switched to 145mm 2012 Selle Italia Max SLR Gel Flow saddle

2011 Specialized Ariel Sport,suspension post,Serfas Rx Women's Microfiber saddle

[OakLeaf]

You look terrific.

And this is a terrific article (http://running.competitor.com/2012/09/out-there/out-there-be-happy-with-your-body_58695) on that subject.

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That is a great article!

[maillotpois]

See also: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/07/sports/olympics/olympic-cyclists-thigh-popping-success-starts-in-quads.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&hp

;)

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See also: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/07/sports/olympics/olympic-cyclists-thigh-popping-success-starts-in-quads.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&hp

;)

Ha, it probably comes as no surprise that I was a sprinter (running) in HS...100, 200, and the relays were my thing. :D

[nscrbug]

I went shopping for pants yesterday. Tried on about 10 pairs...walked out with only 1. Why, you ask??? Because I'm having a hard time finding pants that fit my "cycling legs". I normally wear a size 8 in most brands/styles. But yesterday, I noticed that while the size 8's fit okay in the waist...that isn't quite the story with my thighs. I'm not fond of body-hugging pants, so my search continues. I'm thinking that I may have to try a "curvy" style of pants to see if those fit my legs better. My hips aren't the problem...just that meaty part of the thigh, where the quad muscle is really defined.

[zoom-zoom]

I went shopping for pants yesterday. Tried on about 10 pairs...walked out with only 1. Why, you ask??? Because I'm having a hard time finding pants that fit my "cycling legs". I normally wear a size 8 in most brands/styles. But yesterday, I noticed that while the size 8's fit okay in the waist...that isn't quite the story with my thighs. I'm not fond of body-hugging pants, so my search continues. I'm thinking that I may have to try a "curvy" style of pants to see if those fit my legs better. My hips aren't the problem...just that meaty part of the thigh, where the quad muscle is really defined.

Levi's 528 or 529 "curvy" cut or Supreme Curve jeans. You're welcome.

Seriously, though, these things fit like they were custom made for me and come in 3 lengths. The 528/529 are cheaper ($40ish) and can be found at Kohl's or other dept. stores. The Curve ID line is only available from Levi's, I think, and generally run ~$70, IIRC.

I have a friend who is built a lot like me (only moreso--but we even wear the same bra size). She lives in Levi's, too.

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I forgot, Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Levi%27s+curvy) also carries the Curvy jeans.

[jessmarimba]

Another vote for the Levi's. I found a pair of the curve ID ones at Goodwill and they're seriously my favorite jeans right now. I'm no help with non-denim pants though. I mostly wear skirts if I have to dress up now.

[zoom-zoom]

Ooh, pants pants, rather than jeans...I have 1 pair of the cut #4 black slacks from Target. I think they are their Merona brand. Cut 4 is their curvy cut. I didn't have any luck with their 4 jeans, but their 4 dress pants are a good fit, at least the pair I have. They're over a year old, so I don't know if they still cut any this well.

[jyyanks]

Just tried on the skinny jeans I bought before I started seriously cycling - couldn't get them over my thighs. Off to find new jeans for the new curvy me!

[Irulan]

I've dome really well with target #4 cut.

[Owlie]

Just tried on the skinny jeans I bought before I started seriously cycling - couldn't get them over my thighs. Off to find new jeans for the new curvy me!

Funny. I don't add quad bulk, but for some reason I add calf bulk. My mom got me a pair of skinny jeans for Christmas last year. I could get them on (with some struggle) over my calves, but getting them off required a vegetable peeler. And I rode less last year than I've ridden this year. I might keep them for winter (because they do look nice with boots), but I'm tempted to let them go.

[GLC1968]

I'm another big thigh girl. At 5'4" and near 150 lbs for a vast majority of my adult life, I have never been a bean pole either! Biking didn't make my legs bigger...just harder, and that's ALL good!

Levi's Curve ID (supreme curve for me, too) and I just had great luck at Banana Republic for dress pants. I bought three pair!! Jackson fit rocks.

[Catrin]

A bit over two years ago when I first started riding (and riding too much), my quads certainly got larger. Then I was off the bike on and off due to a few injuries and lost some of that. This year when I regained my lower-body strength my quads seem to be growing harder rather than larger - and much more calf muscle definition. My legs look like sticks unless you really start looking at them, but I've a very strong lower body. I guess things change - or else my workouts are different enough this year that my legs are developing differently? I don't know, but it is interesting.

[Crankin]

I have the calf issue, but not giving up my skinny pants. I love being able to wear them at my age. I buy Gap skinny or jeggings because they stretch a bit. Of course, the top part falls down, too because of this.

[Owlie]

I have the calf issue, but not giving up my skinny pants. I love being able to wear them at my age. I buy Gap skinny or jeggings because they stretch a bit. Of course, the top part falls down, too because of this.

I love Gap's jeans (though I prefer the boot-cut) except for that problem. They're fine out of the dryer, but after two or three days...
(Grad student; I refuse to do more laundry than necessary.)

[jessmarimba]

My favorite Gap jeans just fell apart the other day.

I can't wear their "skinny" jeans but the "real straight" look like skinny jeans on my calves. However, I crouched down wearing them the other day, and the knee just split wide open. After looking closely at my Long 'n Lean pair (bought at the same time), the butt is getting pretty threadbare and I'm afraid of those splitting as well. I bought them both in fall of 2010 so they're hardly 2 years old (though I did wear them a LOT). Not sure I'm going to buy them again, at least not new. I found an older pair at Goodwill the same time I bought the Levis and they seem to be thicker and less stretchy so hopefully they last a little longer.

(And Owlie...you think 2-3 days is bad...I'm pretty sure some of mine go weeks between washings!)

[tealtreak]

A bit over two years ago when I first started riding (and riding too much), my quads certainly got larger. Then I was off the bike on and off due to a few injuries and lost some of that. This year when I regained my lower-body strength my quads seem to be growing harder rather than larger - and much more calf muscle definition. My legs look like sticks unless you really start looking at them, but I've a very strong lower body. I guess things change - or else my workouts are different enough this year that my legs are developing differently? I don't know, but it is interesting.

It is very interesting how our different basic body types respond to exercise. Danelle Kabush (Luna pro Mt biker) is one of my favs (I got to take a clinic she taught) and she is so slight you would never imagine what a she beast she is if you saw her in street clothes. Most of her teammates are far more mesomorph, but they all rock the trails as well (or better) than any guy (:

[OakLeaf]

Lucky brand jeans have been mentioned in other threads ... I've been losing some muscle lately, but they fit my thighs at their biggest and DON'T gap at the sacrum. Yay.

[molliewog]

Lucky brand jeans have been mentioned in other threads ... I've been losing some muscle lately, but they fit my thighs at their biggest and DON'T gap at the sacrum. Yay.

Me, my booty, and big ole quads are are recent Lucky Brand converts :) I can't tell you how excited I was to find jeans that didn't gap in the back!

[jessmarimba]

Me, my booty, and big ole quads are are recent Lucky Brand converts :) I can't tell you how excited I was to find jeans that didn't gap in the back!

Hah. You two are both lucky...(sorry, bad pun). They still gap like crazy on me. I've tried on several styles and my butt is just too round for those jeans. My sister gave me an awesome pair of Sevens, though (little gap, but it's a high enough waist that it's ok. I think she bought them at the thrift store for herself but they didn't fit her).

[Catrin]

You'all are making me glad I don't have a butt. Never did, even 100 pounds ago, and never will. Instead I carry all of my weight in my stomach like a man...which means my jeans are always too large in the legs because they have to fit my stomach and thus are much too large for my legs. Sigh... It's a lot better of course since I lost all of the weight - but I STILL have that shape :( Oh well, it isn't all bad, for sure, and I am thankful to be so much more fit than I once was!

[zoom-zoom]

Lucky brand jeans have been mentioned in other threads ... I've been losing some muscle lately, but they fit my thighs at their biggest and DON'T gap at the sacrum. Yay.

I've always heard good things about their jeans, too. One of these days I will try a pair, though the Levi's are such a good fit and easy to find and inexpensive, which has kept me from going out of my way to try Luckys.

[OakLeaf]

I STILL have that shape

You have a very nice shape. You need to re-boot that internal mirror. :)

[jyyanks]

I used to have no muscle on my thighs and even then, skinny jeans weren't the "Best" for my shape. Now, they really just don't fit right at all - at least not the type I have. I have to try ones with a little more stretch, then maybe I won't feel like big old sausage. I do fit into "curvy" jeans with a little boot cut. I've never tried Lucky or Seven as most of my jeans are LOFT, GAP or OLD NAVY but maybe it's time....