@dawn16 Yes it depends on muscle mass. Obese people are recommended to use length instead of body weight as a guideline. Fat can be used for fuel, but iirc is not very effective at building muscle, which is why a solid protein intake is recommended for all weight classes. Protein is also not that calorie dense.
@petercoh Their muscle mass is to help them skate, not because they skate. The below suggests that speed skaters lift weights, no one is squatting 2.5x bodyweight without training for it
@theadmiral This. Same thing with the whole “sprinters vs endurance runners” meme. There are a lot of skinny sprinters, but a lot of them lift weights whereas a lot of marathon runners avoid strength.
Lifting weights will get you big legs. Though for some people (like me) it takes a moderate amount of weight for high reps. My legs were giant when I did tons of walking barbell lunges, sled pushes and farmers walks up stairs. Squats never really built my legs and I don’t respond well to high weight for low reps.
@theadmiral Big is relative but I see a ton of inline skaters on my local trail and they all have the best shaped legs. not necessarily massive, but big and perfectly shaped.
I'd imagine that speed skating would have a similar effect.
@petercoh Also cycling, check the thighs & calf’s on a pro cyclist!
If you can’t speed skate for lack of ice, rollerblade is similar workout, skating uphill is particularly good.
Uphill sprints have been mentioned, also include bounding and stair climbs if you can. Not sure if these all come under body weight fitness but I’d guess they answer the original question in conjunction with other answers here…
