Is upper body strength overrated?

PR's? Current training?

If you aren't national-level, then ABSOLUTELY DO NOT become a skinny male T&F hobbyist. Girls, (assuming you swing that way) love the buff look. Guys probably do too.

pop_pop!_v2.2.1 wrote:

PR's? Current training?

If you aren't national-level, then ABSOLUTELY DO NOT become a skinny male T&F hobbyist. Girls, (assuming you swing that way) love the buff look. Guys probably do too.

This doesn't apply to me...I'm talking about distance runners in general. And sure, attractiveness could be a benefit, but that does not relate to running performance in any way lol.

Well, study has shown that attractiveness leads to increased running performance.

Triit wrote:

Well, study has shown that attractiveness leads to increased running performance.

Only reason why nick symmonds hit 1:42. Would've been a 1:48 nobody if not for his dashing good looks

sgisglrsglsgr wrote:

Triit wrote:

Well, study has shown that attractiveness leads to increased running performance.

Only reason why nick symmonds hit 1:42. Would've been a 1:48 nobody if not for his dashing good looks

Well obviously they aren't helping him now, he is back down to 1:49...

Maybe the arms aren't as important as a strong core, but I was spectating the Adidas Boston Boost games and I was watching the women's Pole Vault event.

I caught a glimpse of Alysha Newman's sixpack abs and I can tell you - that image will stay with me forever. It wasn't even her pole vaulting record (I don't know how many meters she jumped) but her physique made me admire how graceful and strong she is as an athlete.

At the Adidas Boston Boost games, you have spectators circling around the women's pole vault. I can tell you that every man - single or married, even when they were with their girlfriends and families - admired these world class athletes. Myself included.

So to me, I don't think having super muscular arms are important. But having a strong core and sixpack abs - to you they may be less of a priority - but to the person who catches a glimpse of you sporting those sixpack abs - it can make someone's day.

I got so inspired from seeing Alysha Newman's physique that I only stayed to watch the heats and then I went back to running. I ran around Boston Common and then I ran around the city, took the subway back home and then did some ab wheel exercises.

Talented Rabbit wrote:

I have heard so many conflicting opinions on this topic that I have no idea whatsoever.

Sometimes I hear people telling me to avoid building upper body muscles at all costs, since it is just "useless weight."

Others tell me that upper body strength is very beneficial to long-distance runners, telling me that it lets us "go to our arms" when we are tired. But really, do you really need serious upper body strength to simply be able to pump your arms while running?

Do distance runners really benefit from a strong, somewhat larger upper body or is it overrated?

There is a difference between strength and size. Strength does not always lead to size and vice versa.

If you think you can gain muscle mass while running 70-100mi a week you are wrong. Muscle doesn't grow in a vacuum.

Alan

Not really my thing, but yes those are impressive abs:http://scontent.cdninstagram.com/t51.2885-15/s480x480/e35/c0.109.877.877/13707171_234947103567041_1565478800_n.jpg?ig_cache_key=MTMxMzk0NzQ3MjY4NzM3MDI1OQ%3D%3D.2.c

Fast Ass wrote:

Maybe the arms aren't as important as a strong core, but I was spectating the Adidas Boston Boost games and I was watching the women's Pole Vault event.

I caught a glimpse of Alysha Newman's sixpack abs and I can tell you - that image will stay with me forever. It wasn't even her pole vaulting record (I don't know how many meters she jumped) but her physique made me admire how graceful and strong she is as an athlete.

I used to be into very soft and curvy girls, girls who look like they don't do any exercise and generally stay thin by eating little and acting very "up there."

Is something wrong with me? I love fitness chicks now.

Fast Ass, I think u answered ur own question when u stated that u used to b into girls.

Wow, I can't believe you just did that to me, Wwow.

To be fair, she was wearing bunhuggers. And it was filled out to exception.

Talented Rabbit wrote:

pop_pop!_v2.2.1 wrote:

PR's? Current training?

If you aren't national-level, then ABSOLUTELY DO NOT become a skinny male T&F hobbyist. Girls, (assuming you swing that way) love the buff look. Guys probably do too.

This doesn't apply to me...I'm talking about distance runners in general. And sure, attractiveness could be a benefit, but that does not relate to running performance in any way lol.

PRs??

Im assuming you are a girl, then.. Don't listen to the idiots. You won't bulk up. The worst that happens is getting a little extra definition.