Does cardio grow thighs?

Author: Prof. Claudia Rohan  |  Last update: Wednesday, July 9, 2025

This is because you won't be providing your lower body with enough resistance or stimulus to break down the muscle fibers so that they can grow back bigger and stronger. While cardio is enough to improve upon your endurance and stamina, it's not enough for muscle and strength growth.

Is cardio making my thighs bigger?

Lower body exercise will not increase or decrease your leg fat. The only thing that will increase your leg fat is a caloric surplus. Exercising your legs will increase their muscle mass, which can help to decrease all fat, including leg fat, by burning more calories to fuel your exercise and feed the muscle.

Does cardio build thighs?

Yes, You most definitely can! In several of the studies reviewed, both young and older men who did about 45 minutes of cardio four days a week at 80% max heart rate increased leg muscle size by 5% and 6%, respectively.

Which cardio is best for thighs?

The best cardio exercise for anything targeting the legs is running, any kind of running; on the treadmill, outdoors, any kind of running. My personal favorite type of running is interval training on the treadmill. It's a really effective and efficient way to slim down those thighs as fast as you possibly can.

What exercise slims thighs the most?

Which exercises can help you reduce thigh fat?
  • Leg raises: One of the best exercises to burn thigh fat. ...
  • Leg stretch: Can be done to decrease thigh fat. ...
  • Air cycling: An efficient approach to getting slimmer thighs and lowering thigh fat. ...
  • Lunges: An excellent workout for your inner thighs.

5 Things NO ONE Tells You About Cardio & Muscle Growth

Will cardio give me a thigh gap?

Exercising might lose some fat, but that's not what REALLY contributes to a thigh gap. Some people have it and some don't. It mostly has to do with bone structure. The more wider your hips, the more likely you'll have a thigh gap.

How to get rid of jiggly thighs?

Thigh fat removal can happen naturally through proper diet and exercise. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and fat-free products can help. You should also consider switching from processed grains to whole grains. Do your best to avoid refined and processed foods and alcohol.

Will walking 10,000 steps a day tone my legs?

It elevates your heart rate and activates muscles like your quads, glutes, calves and hamstrings, helping to burn calories and strengthen your lower body.

What cardio burns the most thigh fat?

HIIT exercises are a great way to blast thigh fat. The best cardio to slim thighs is the one that you will do consistently, whether that's walking, running or dancing. Regular exercise along with a healthy, calorie-controlled diet is the only way to blast stubborn thigh fat.

How to get massive thighs?

The key to building bigger, stronger legs is to focus primarily on compound leg exercises during your leg day routine, which target multiple muscle groups at once under a greater load. Examples of compound leg exercises include squats, deadlifts, and lunges, and they're essential for building strength and muscle.

Will cardio make me toned?

Establishing a cardiovascular exercise routine will be critical to toning your body. While weights and strength training are certainly important for building muscle, and we'll get to them, cardio is how you're going to be burning most of your calories. Before you worry about toning up, you need to shed any excess fat.

Why do my legs look bigger after cardio?

However, muscle building tends to occur more quickly than fat loss - especially if you are pretty new to your new workout routine. This can lead to your thighs temporarily looking and feeling bigger than they were before you began exercising.

What causes thighs to get bigger?

The main culprit behind weight gain in your thighs is estrogen. This hormone drives the increase in fat cells in females, causing deposits to form most commonly around the buttocks and thighs.

Does walking tone your butt?

Yes—when it comes to building your glutes while walking, it's all about the incline. If you're on a treadmill, “anything above a five percent grade is going to target the glutes much more than a lower incline [or flat surface],” says Matty.

How many steps to slim legs?

Walking 10,000 steps a day can contribute to overall weight loss and increased calorie expenditure, which may aid in slimming down legs and reducing body fat, including inner thighs.

Is 20k steps a day good?

While the popular goal of 10,000 steps a day is considered the gold standard for fitness, doubling that number to 20,000 steps unlocks a whole range of benefits. From accelerating weight loss to boosting sleep quality, energy levels, and stamina, walking 20,000 steps has multiple benefits.

Can thick thighs go away?

The key to reducing thigh fat is a combination of regular exercise aimed at your lower body and a balanced, healthy diet. This not only targets the thigh area but also helps you reduce overall body fat, leading to a more toned and balanced appearance.

Can flabby thighs be toned?

Yes. Doing more walking is one of the easiest ways to improve your inner thighs as walking will use your hamstrings as well as the quadriceps. Going a lengthy walk every day is a great way to begin tightening or toning your thighs.

How to decrease butt fat?

Reducing overall weight in a gradual, safe manner is the best way to reduce fat on the butt. Running, squats, and other exercises can also help tone the butt. There are three major muscles in the butt. These are the gluteus maximus, the gluteus minimus, and the gluteus medius.

What cardio will slim my thighs?

SUMMARY – Low-Intensity Cardio For Lean or Skinny Legs

To summarize, walking is the best exercise for getting rid of thigh fat and slimming down your legs. Walk as much as you can! Aim for 10,000 steps per day.

Am I fat if my thighs touch?

The first step is to reeducate the mind and body to understand that touching thighs are a sign that you are in fact a human being with a normal structure, overweight or not. In good standing posture, the feet will be a bit narrower than the outside of the pelvis, under the hip joints.

How to slim thighs?

Although you can't lose weight in just your thighs, you can incorporate exercises into your workout that will specifically target your thighs and help to tone them. Try simple exercises like lunges (both forward and side lunges), squats, and leg lifts.

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