Does marching increase endurance or build the quadriceps?
You have two options: build mass or increase endurance. You cannot successfully pursue both…at least not how you’re doing it. The “marching” I know of comes from both marching band and marching while in the Marine Corps: long periods of trekking with weight on your back (I played sousaphone). This does help improve your cardiovascular endurance and also helps increase your walking endurance. The marching you’re talking about utilizes the hip flexors, glutes, and lower abdomen a lot…that’s what’s lifting the leg, not the quads. Because of this, you won’t improve your quadriceps at all, and you certainly won’t build them up. I recommend adding sumo squats, lunges, walking lunges, rear lunges, leg lifts, running (not walking/jogging), various push-ups (wide, diamond, feet elevated, etc.), and dips to your regimen.
