I am a 19 year old college student, about 5'6" and 128ish lbs. I am a ballerina, and I am concerned that my dancing may be contributing to the size of my thighs. I have large, untoned thighs (at least, they seem this way to me), but I think it is mostly muscle. I only dance about 5 hours a week (though I've been dancing for almost 12 years), and it's the only vigorous exercise I get. Is the problem a lack of exercise, too much of the wrong kind, or what? I have always had larger thighs than I would like, but I don't think it's genetics because my sister has perfect legs. I would like to lose a little extra chub- would an overall decrease in body fat help? I would appreciate anybody who could shed some light on the situation. Thanks!
Thunder thighs
- Thread starter Emmaaaaa
- Start date
I think some of your problem is in the eye of the beholder. I'm sure your legs aren't nearly as bad as you think...especially at 5'6" and 128 pounds. You must be pretty thin.
Ballet is great exercise and I'd be surprised if they're not mostly toned. You could add some weight training to your workout schedule but I wouldn't add much, if any, cardio since you're already dancing 5 hours a week.
However, all that being said, you can't get rid of the fat on your thighs without losing some bodyfat. The only way to do that is to clean up your diet. How is your diet now? For lots of women the fat on the thighs/butt area is the last to go. I know that's the case for me. I have to follow a pretty strict diet to see the fat on my lower body go away.
Hope that helps a little.
Ballet is great exercise and I'd be surprised if they're not mostly toned. You could add some weight training to your workout schedule but I wouldn't add much, if any, cardio since you're already dancing 5 hours a week.
However, all that being said, you can't get rid of the fat on your thighs without losing some bodyfat. The only way to do that is to clean up your diet. How is your diet now? For lots of women the fat on the thighs/butt area is the last to go. I know that's the case for me. I have to follow a pretty strict diet to see the fat on my lower body go away.
Hope that helps a little.
Ballet is not contributing to large thigh muscles. It could be genetics. Your sister may not have the same genes as you. There is a difference between you two. I agree with Teresand77... you cannot possible have large thighs at 128 pounds and being 5'6".
Let's assume you exaggerated the problem a bit... maybe you just want to tone up some? Have firmer legs? Is that the case? If so, then you need to post more info. What does a day in the life of you look like? What and when do you eat? What other exercise do you get besides dance?
Sorry if this comes across negative. I don't want it to. I just hear so many dancers say they are not happy with their body. They are never thin enough. And I always say the same thing... I work with professional dancers and they NEVER under eat, they NEVER over workout, and they NEVER talk down to themselves.
They eat 5-6 small meals per day. Each meal is a carb and a protein.
They do a variety of cardio activities, session lengths and intensity levels.
They always strength training with a heavy enough weight and go for 12 reps on each set. Depending on their dance practice/performance schedule the strength training can be done as few as 1 time per week or as often as 3 times. It depends on them.
If your thigh is all muscle... then losing fat will not help you. You need to look at those muscular thighs and realize that they are one of the main reasons you are able to perform ballet in the first place.
Let's assume you exaggerated the problem a bit... maybe you just want to tone up some? Have firmer legs? Is that the case? If so, then you need to post more info. What does a day in the life of you look like? What and when do you eat? What other exercise do you get besides dance?
Sorry if this comes across negative. I don't want it to. I just hear so many dancers say they are not happy with their body. They are never thin enough. And I always say the same thing... I work with professional dancers and they NEVER under eat, they NEVER over workout, and they NEVER talk down to themselves.
They eat 5-6 small meals per day. Each meal is a carb and a protein.
They do a variety of cardio activities, session lengths and intensity levels.
They always strength training with a heavy enough weight and go for 12 reps on each set. Depending on their dance practice/performance schedule the strength training can be done as few as 1 time per week or as often as 3 times. It depends on them.
If your thigh is all muscle... then losing fat will not help you. You need to look at those muscular thighs and realize that they are one of the main reasons you are able to perform ballet in the first place.