https://community.usms.org/swimming/f/general/7351/does-swimming-make-your-legs-thicker-or-slimmerYour legs become stronger and more muscular, but are they thicker or slimmer? Perhaps it dependes on the swimming style as well as different parts of the leg, e.g. thigh versus calf? It will be interesting to hear what real results long time swimmersen-USTelligent Community 12https://community.usms.org/thread/111326?ContentTypeID=1Mon, 01 Dec 2008 14:42:07 GMT3187ac58-ba85-4314-b79a-c45cd885e09a:589824ed-8644-418b-93ed-425c0e750313Former MemberI have to agree with Elise! It depends on what you are doing for a workout, how intense the kick set is (or how hard you are kicking, etc). Also, if you are using fins, proper technique, etc....too many factors to really give an accurate answer.<div style="clear:both;"></div>https://community.usms.org/thread/111417?ContentTypeID=1Mon, 01 Dec 2008 11:58:22 GMT3187ac58-ba85-4314-b79a-c45cd885e09a:7b49fb51-49bc-4ee7-91df-47e2a5c85a38Redbird AlumI&#39;ve always been told I have &quot;bird legs&quot; and I&#39;ve been swimming since I was about 13. Currently I still swim, I don&#39;t power lift, I don&#39;t run. However I do spend about four to five miles a day walking my ludicrous dog. No science... just observation.<div style="clear:both;"></div>https://community.usms.org/thread/111289?ContentTypeID=1Mon, 01 Dec 2008 08:56:37 GMT3187ac58-ba85-4314-b79a-c45cd885e09a:1cf2d2b7-98ff-479c-9552-7f754082d8e5The FortressSwimming made my legs bigger, definitely. But I had been running previously. I do a boatload of kicking and use fins though. That really strengthens the legs.<div style="clear:both;"></div>https://community.usms.org/thread/111115?ContentTypeID=1Sun, 30 Nov 2008 09:19:41 GMT3187ac58-ba85-4314-b79a-c45cd885e09a:31868f0a-0411-42cb-ae69-8399a2787f53Former Memberpowerlifting, slimmer Powerlifting slims the legs??<div style="clear:both;"></div>https://community.usms.org/thread/111261?ContentTypeID=1Sun, 30 Nov 2008 08:49:48 GMT3187ac58-ba85-4314-b79a-c45cd885e09a:eb5d63b7-94ac-4954-8485-a768917f4a07rtoddPowerlifting slims the legs?? I mean swimming makes the legs slimmer compared to powerlifting<div style="clear:both;"></div>https://community.usms.org/thread/111236?ContentTypeID=1Sun, 30 Nov 2008 05:16:31 GMT3187ac58-ba85-4314-b79a-c45cd885e09a:692dfb3d-5425-463b-aa12-939bff9c691belise526What you are asking is a really hard question because I think it depends on what kind of swimming one is doing, what strokes one focuses on, how much one is eating at the time, and how somebody is naturally built. I had large quad muscles before I ever started swimming, but did not notice that they got smaller or bigger from swimming. They most definitely got smaller when I started running and biking but this was probably because I was in negative energy balance most of the time. My arms definitely got bigger from swimming, but legs, not really.<div style="clear:both;"></div>https://community.usms.org/thread/111089?ContentTypeID=1Sun, 30 Nov 2008 04:12:10 GMT3187ac58-ba85-4314-b79a-c45cd885e09a:619c7b27-85fc-40a2-9e80-eb448fbdaa6brtoddCompared to?? Doing nothing?, thicker powerlifting, slimmer....this is where cross training comes in.<div style="clear:both;"></div>