Thursday, 08 January 2009

  • Chicken Leg Syndrome: Can it Be Stopped?

    Mr. Fish


    Ever notice how guys tend to focus solely on building muscle in their chest and shoulders?

    I guess it's so that when a potential mate comes along, they can puff out their chests like an exotic bird.  Unfortunately, men lack the colorful plumage, so most of the time they come off as just looking like unproportioned douches.

    Excuses I've heard regarding this issue tend to be along the lines of, "People notice your upper body more than your lower body."

    I suppose this is true, in the sense that people tend to be drawn more towards your upper body since that's where your face is.

    But it doesn't take long for them to take note of the whole package, and when you've got a couple of toothpicks supporting you, they notice.  And they probably laugh.

    I used to avoid lower body workouts altogether, but then I starting seeing how I basically had no calves and no butt.  It just looked funny, since I had a well-defined upper body.

    Now I dedicate entire workouts to my lower body, and I could tell a difference almost immediately.  Muscles I never knew existed are showing themselves.

    Is there a certain body part you tend to focus on more at the gym?

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Comments (23)

  • just_the_average_jane@xanga

    Haha, thank you!  Such a turn off when a guy looks like his legs are going to buckle under the weight of his massive upper body muscle.

    I'm not a guy, so it's a bit different.  I do tend to focus on my abs a little more, but for the most part, I prefer to do dance or martial arts and work on my whole body, rather than focused workouts for specific parts.
  • shes_lump@xanga

    I think too much muscle is disgusting in the first place. i pretty much like men who lift women instead of weights aka dancers. ;)
  • Butterpecan_ts@xanga

    I'm a women. And I do focus more on my upper half...only because I tend to build muscle faster on my lower half. I have to the biggest hips in the world (only a slight exaggeration) and I want my upper half to look more proportioned to the bottom half. But, I still workout my lower half too, just with lower sets
  • mileyfan08@xanga

    I focus on my legs mostly, but I'm a dancer so it's necessary. I can do 50 leg presses at 60 lbs, but I can barely do 10 bicep curls on the lightest weight on the machine.
  • skinnychic8@xanga

    a well balanced physique is best. men & women should both workout their whole body for a balanced appearance. just my opinion.
  • ccarothers@xanga

    I tend to do a lot of running when I work out.  I think it's important to hit all portions of the body when you're working out though.  I personally notice a man's backside first. 
  • misswonderj@xanga

    My archery training has me pretty even everywhere. I've got some powerful legs but it really doesn't show muscle wise. My arms are kind of defined but, eh.
  • dryvona@xanga

    I have to concentrate more on shoulders when everything is in good working order, because they never seem to be strong enough.


    I like to laugh at the puffy guys on toothpicks, though.


    And at another guy who only does legs. His thighs are bigger than his waist, and he's all whippy everywhere else.

  • Cashew

    This is going to sound really corny but I think it's a little sexy when a guy actually has some muscles and shape in his legs.  i hate when guys have little scrawny legs.


    I try to make sure I pay attention to my whole body when I am working out.
  • psuedomattmatt@xanga

    i agree, lots of guys mainly work on their upper body, ignoring their lower body. all muscles in the body deserve attention at the gym.

  • KasumiCelesta@xanga

    I have somewhat...err..."strong" legs, so when I exercise I like to focus on my upper body. I do a lot of walking during the day so my legs get a lot of exercise compared to my arms.
  • Not_a_real_site@xanga

    Dane cook anyone, "I will kick you in the tights and you will go down, you are very top heavy."  Guys with chicken legs are hilarious.

    I focus on whatever looks like it needs to be more proportionate.
  • you_were_the_song_all_along@xanga

    As a dancer, I would rather guys have nice legs rather then big arms. 
  • bassangel@xanga

    When I still played bass I focused on my shoulders and back for both posture and strength although I still worked on my arms and legs. I just pushed myself more to build strength where I knew I needed it.
  • nolan_kun@xanga

    Legs is the most fun work out because thats where you get your testosterone from.  Can't get big without it!
  • Iamgettingby@xanga

    I focus on my mid section and arms during my resistance training. I'm a dancer, and my other main exercise is running, so my legs don't need me to work on them really! Guys do look ridiculous if they don't work out equally, I hope they take note of this blog!
  • sWiMpRiNcEsS@xanga

    LMFAO. my ex had chicken legs. actually, he still has them. LOL
  • JoeytheGenie

    I do weightroom and I have more muscle in the legs than the guys there....thanks to all the running I do.
  • raspberryjade@xanga

    chicken legs are funny, I would never be able to date a guy with chicken legs because it would make me self concious =X

    my guy is proportioned.. and hot ;]
  • zubes5806@xanga

    i actually focus more on my legs...i need to start working on my arms though.  they could use a little more tone! ^_^
  • soccerluver91790@xanga

    arms.  i have such muscular legs from playing soccer for so long, but i have toothpick arms....after a short time like you, i already saw a difference.
  • Titanic_Spaz@xanga

    I've played hockey since I was 3 years old. (yes...I'm Canadian..how'd you guess) So legs have never been a problem area for me. I very rarely do a leg work out at the gym. If it wasn't for hockey...I'd have the pencil legs too.


    For me, the body part I focus on is shoulders and back. If I focus on those, the arms get a work out too, but are at least somewhat proportional. lol
  • sweetygrl23@xanga

    ha i agree, it isn't very flattering when a guy has chicken legs, or calves that are smaller than yours. but i tend to work on my arms and legs.

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