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Thread: Gaining too much muscle from dancing

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    Default Gaining too much muscle from dancing

    I was a competitive figure skater for 7 years, so I already had pretty muscular legs when I started dancing, but after a month of working 4-5 days a week for 6 hours long, I've noticed that my quads are getting HUGE. It's probably just me being body-dysmorphic, but it is a very noticeable difference. I only wear skirts and dresses so I can't really tell if it's a noticeable change from my clothing getting tighter.. but what in the world can I do to lengthen and slim out the muscles instead of them looking bulky?? I already stretch and do yoga.. is there anything else?? I gain muscle really easily... is there anyway to NOT gain it? agh.

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    Veteran Member heavenlyheidi's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gaining too much muscle from dancing

    Try to put more of your weight into your heels when you dance..that will engage more of your hamstrings and butt and less of your quads. Or, try smaller shoes.

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    Featured Member georgiapeach's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gaining too much muscle from dancing

    ^^^ yeah, i second the pilates reccomendation. i have the same tendancy to build way more than i'd like in my legs and the pilates does wonders for me.

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    Veteran Member scarletfang's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gaining too much muscle from dancing

    i'm going to have to try that...i'm just genetically predisposed to pack on muscle pretty much everywhere, and i don't want to look like a bodybuilder...
    [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

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    Senior Member genesia's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gaining too much muscle from dancing

    Personally... and i've got much feedback..many agree...

    But to me (and most men!) there is nothing sexier than a dancer with thick quads and chiseled calves! It looks so strong & feminine! Especially if she is on the bar, or on a table/stage where you have to look UP at her
    So i'd say don't try to downplay it!! So many girls would kill to have your problem!!!
    "You gotta snatch them mutha-f*ckaz up and let THEM know that YOU gonna take THEM out..anytime YOU feel like it! You gotta get the ground beneath yo feet, patnah..get the wind behind yo back and go out in BLAZE if you have to! Otherwise, YOU AIN'T SH*T!!" -2Pac as "Bishop" in Juice

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    God/dess jaizaine's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gaining too much muscle from dancing

    ^^
    have to agree there, embrace it!!

    My legs have gotten so muscly from dancing I love it. I love how firm they feel. Guys always comment on my calves, they are seriously jealous of the definition.

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    Featured Member flickad's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gaining too much muscle from dancing

    Quote Originally Posted by jaizaine View Post
    ^^
    have to agree there, embrace it!!

    My legs have gotten so muscly from dancing I love it. I love how firm they feel. Guys always comment on my calves, they are seriously jealous of the definition.
    My problem is the opposite. Even with daily exercise, I never gain much muscle and I always seem to have a relatively high percentage of body fat (which also has its upside, I suppose, but I'd never have thought that developing lean tissue was cause for complaint unless you're turning into the governator).

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    Default Re: Gaining too much muscle from dancing

    It's hard to fight those mesomorphic genes. I'm naturally very muscular, like my mom and grandma. We are hardy Polish farmer people, and it shows. Even though I don't do any weights, just cardio and yoga, my muscles are pronounced. But I have to agree with everyone here- it's not a bad thing. I have biceps like a quarterback, which is hardly feminine, but no guy has ever complained at work. They just say "wow, your ass and legs are so hard, do you work out?" (not for a while, but I say yes). Just tell them you're an athlete, or you used to be. Not every guy will like every body out there, but this is not such a turn-off as you may imagine. Not at all.

    I do sympathize with the BDD of it all, and picking at yourself in the mirror is a sucky habit to break. But try to remember these little things are way more obvious to you than others. I've always wanted to have the petite and gamine body of a Japanese girl, but it's just not in the cards, so I try to deal with what I've got, lol!

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    Default Re: Gaining too much muscle from dancing

    I have to agree that muscular legs is a big positive. I like seeing a skinny upper body with well muscled and hard legs. I don't understand how just dancing can bulk a girl up like it's a workout at the gym. My friend bought a pair of 6" stilettos (no platform) because she likes the challenge of dancing, walking, and standing in them when we go downtown at night. She's got buff legs from ballet but I see her panting and struggling with trembling legs at the end of the night sometimes. Are these heels really that much of a muscular effort for her?

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    God/dess Bella21's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gaining too much muscle from dancing

    6" with no platform? Well, she's probably using muscles that she's not used to using... but I would be panting with pain from keeping my foot that pointed and with so much of my weight on the balls of my feet.
    If you think school is hard, try being stupid.

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    Featured Member Sveta's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gaining too much muscle from dancing

    Quote Originally Posted by mollyzmoon View Post
    it's not a bad thing.
    Objectively, no it's not. But it is a bad thing if you don't like it. Who wants to feel uncomfortable in their own skin?
    ~'A Seven Nation Army Couldn't Hold Me Back'~

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    Featured Member keira0304's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gaining too much muscle from dancing

    this is my old thread from over a year ago. haha
    "Life and death, energy and peace. If I stop today it was still worth it. Even the terrible mistakes that I made and would have unmade if I could. The pains that have burned me and scarred my soul, it was worth it, for having been allowed to walk where I've walked, which was to hell on earth, heaven on earth, back again, into, under, far in between, through it, in it, and above."

    [/URL]

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    Default Re: Gaining too much muscle from dancing

    Quote Originally Posted by Sveta View Post
    Objectively, no it's not. But it is a bad thing if you don't like it. Who wants to feel uncomfortable in their own skin?
    In that case, what is not your body but in your head.

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    Default Re: Gaining too much muscle from dancing

    Quote Originally Posted by mollyzmoon View Post
    Like, what advice can you give to change physiological structure? I'd love to be 5'3", but it's not going to happen. Reassurance is the only answer.
    I'll assume you think you're too tall based on this comment. Look at it this way, I'm 6'4" and generally won't date anyone under 5'10". I've never been one to find 'tiny' girls interesting. I like 'em tall.

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    God/dess Emily's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gaining too much muscle from dancing

    Quote Originally Posted by m1super90 View Post
    I'll assume you think you're too tall based on this comment. Look at it this way, I'm 6'4" and generally won't date anyone under 5'10". I've never been one to find 'tiny' girls interesting. I like 'em tall.
    why did you bring up a bunch of old threads to talk about how you are attracted to tall, thin girls?

    I suggest you stay in Customer Conversaion or the blue side, because, honestly, nobody wants to hear it and it's more tolerated there.

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    God/dess Corgan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gaining too much muscle from dancing

    Quote Originally Posted by keira0304 View Post
    this is my old thread from over a year ago. haha
    you reincarnate

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    Featured Member keira0304's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gaining too much muscle from dancing

    yup

    and.... a year later from dancing I think I probably gained 7-8 pounds of muscle all over- because looking at pictures from before I started dancing I look about the same size- maybe even bigger, and now i'm the same size, maybe a little smaller but WAY more toned.

    muscles are good.
    "Life and death, energy and peace. If I stop today it was still worth it. Even the terrible mistakes that I made and would have unmade if I could. The pains that have burned me and scarred my soul, it was worth it, for having been allowed to walk where I've walked, which was to hell on earth, heaven on earth, back again, into, under, far in between, through it, in it, and above."

    [/URL]

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    Senior Member thisunrest's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gaining too much muscle from dancing

    I feel heavier since I started dancing again.Part of that is because I DID gain four pounds due to overindulgence,but before dancing again even the trainers at my gym were commenting on how Ive dropped some weight and how I looked good...beh..

    I really don't know what's all in my head,what's due to bad lighting and angled mirrors,or the cut of my costume or really my body anymore.It's like,I feel thicker ,or chubbier,dancing than I did when I wasn't.

    Back to the real topic though,ballet has really helped a co-worker of mine lengthen her muscles out .And gave her Gumby-like flexy-powers besides that:-)

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    Featured Member thechaosfairy's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gaining too much muscle from dancing

    Quote Originally Posted by flickad View Post
    My problem is the opposite. Even with daily exercise, I never gain much muscle and I always seem to have a relatively high percentage of body fat (which also has its upside, I suppose, but I'd never have thought that developing lean tissue was cause for complaint unless you're turning into the governator).
    I've had the problem of getting *fatter* since I started dancing again. I think I've just figured out what it was: Dancing can break down muscle tissue as well as fat, so if I don't get to the gym at least twice a week and do some serious lifting, my metabolism slows down because I don't have the lean body mass to do the burning! Duh. Oops. (I haven't been getting to the gym more than once a week lately because I've been forced to move, and the last month was just insanity -- every spare moment I haven't been working has been busy packing and hauling.) I've made a commitment to going three times a week now and trying to get serious about the lifting.

    After two trips in the last three days I already look better. It is *not* in your head if you have a body type like mine!
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    Veteran Member MichelleJade's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gaining too much muscle from dancing

    Quote Originally Posted by mollyzmoon View Post
    It's hard to fight those mesomorphic genes. I'm naturally very muscular, like my mom and grandma. We are hardy Polish farmer people, and it shows.
    I have the same problem (so does my mother), and I have a Polish background. Maybe it's a Polish thing! I guess you could say I have a horse face too, though I prefer to call it a 'strong and dynamic' face.

    Part of me hates it, and part of me loves that I can workout once a week and look muscular all week long. I just avoid anything that I know will bulk me up, I stick to the treadmill and exercise bike for cardio.
    There's only so much you can learn in one place...
    The longer you wait, the more time that you waste.

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    God/dess Jenny's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gaining too much muscle from dancing

    Quote Originally Posted by genesia View Post
    Personally... and i've got much feedback..many agree...

    But to me (and most men!) there is nothing sexier than a dancer with thick quads and chiseled calves! It looks so strong & feminine! Especially if she is on the bar, or on a table/stage where you have to look UP at her
    So i'd say don't try to downplay it!! So many girls would kill to have your problem!!!
    Indeed. I am a fatty little thing, and I find a woman who looks strong to be wildly hot.
    I have taught that the sky in all its zones is mortal and its substance was formed by a process of birth

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    Veteran Member Ruby Ruckus's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gaining too much muscle from dancing

    I love how muscular dancing has made me. I'm six feet tall and of a lean, very athletic build anyways, and dancing has made my ass look fantastic and pole tricks have given me really strong arms and shoulders. Guys love the fact that i look really healthy and fit as opposed to just a little stick girl.
    "If she wants to dance and drink all night, well there's no one that can stop her. She's going til the house lights come up or her stomach spills onto the floor. This night is gonna end when we're damn well ready for it to be over, worked all week long, and now the music is playing on our time. Yeah we do what we do to get by, and then we need a release!" - Against Me!, "Thrash Unreal"

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    Veteran Member ediblecrayonz's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gaining too much muscle from dancing

    ^ Ditto. I love my muscles. Embrace what you've been blessed with.

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