CandyGirlXO Posted November 28, 2008 Share Posted November 28, 2008 What is the best way to get toned? I am NOT trying to lose weight, I just need to tone up mostly my stomach and I would love more definition in my arms. I was doing about 30 minutes of cardio, sit-ups and then every now and then the circuit. After talking to a few people they told me if I wanted to just get toned, that I needed to stop doing the cardio all together, and just focus on the weights (circuit). Is this true? Doing the circuit is not my favorite thing to do, I much rather just do cardio but I guess thats not helping me! What should I do? I keep hearing do 3 sets of 20 if I want to tone. I DO NOT want to build just tone up. Advice please I want to look good naked Link to post Share on other sites
IrishCarBomb Posted December 1, 2008 Share Posted December 1, 2008 Lift weights without increasing your diet. Link to post Share on other sites
user23 Posted December 5, 2008 Share Posted December 5, 2008 www.figureathlete.com best info there is for women of all fitness levels. Link to post Share on other sites
You'reasian Posted December 7, 2008 Share Posted December 7, 2008 What is the best way to get toned? I am NOT trying to lose weight, I just need to tone up mostly my stomach and I would love more definition in my arms. I was doing about 30 minutes of cardio, sit-ups and then every now and then the circuit. After talking to a few people they told me if I wanted to just get toned, that I needed to stop doing the cardio all together, and just focus on the weights (circuit). Is this true? Doing the circuit is not my favorite thing to do, I much rather just do cardio but I guess thats not helping me! What should I do? I keep hearing do 3 sets of 20 if I want to tone. I DO NOT want to build just tone up. Advice please I want to look good naked Circuits are better for getting toned then cardio - this is true. However, if you do interval training with your cardio you will tone up as well. Instead of doing the slow 30 minute jog on the tread mill, raise the incline a few degrees and run as fast as possible for 30 seconds, then lower the incline and jog for 1 min 30 sec - repeat. Also, if you do several types of cardio training they will tone your entire body as well. Alternate a swim workout with your stationary cylce workout for instance. Swimming is probably one of the best excercises for toning and building cardio. Look up olympic swimmer Amanda Beard and you'll see what I mean... Link to post Share on other sites
Quinch Posted December 7, 2008 Share Posted December 7, 2008 www.figureathlete.com best info there is for women of all fitness levels. Do the exercises on that site work for guys too? Link to post Share on other sites
IrishCarBomb Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 Do the exercises on that site work for guys too? After a brief scan, I'd say yes. Link to post Share on other sites
2sunny Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 i'd have to say pilates - hands down! try it - it's amazing the quick results you will get. good definition and great strength with a firm, long, lean look. do the workout on the tower with the mats... Link to post Share on other sites
Taramere Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 Callanetics are another good one. Balletic influenced movements that work the muscles really intensively. The only problem is that they're deadly dull and therefore a total chore to do. They're also pretty hard, if you're doing them properly. It feels like less effort to sweat in the gym for an hour than it does to do 20 minutes of Callanetics. The video/DVD, with "Midge" and the rest of the uninspiring entourage, is a trial to watch. I know the exercises off by heart so (thank God) I don't need to watch and listen to Callan Pinckley to remember how to do them - when I can be bothered. I need to be more disciplined about them, because they are a fantastic method of toning up very quickly. Link to post Share on other sites
lino Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 After talking to a few people they told me if I wanted to just get toned, that I needed to stop doing the cardio all together, and just focus on the weights (circuit). Is this true? Kind of true. Don't stop doing it altogether, do it a little less and the weights more frequently. I keep hearing do 3 sets of 20 if I want to tone. I DO NOT want to build just tone up. Yep that will work Link to post Share on other sites
bentnotbroken Posted December 10, 2008 Share Posted December 10, 2008 I am a huge fan of pilates and light weights(high reps). Push ups are always great for the back, arms and chest. Link to post Share on other sites
DaveK Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 Take a look at Kettlebells. working with a kettlebell will kick your butt. And it is fun and chanllenging. You have to do it right though. There are instructional videos and books that are an excellent way to get started. Link to post Share on other sites
georgehutton Posted December 21, 2008 Share Posted December 21, 2008 I found the best thing for my core and my upper arms is this thing called a "power wheel" I bought from a place called lifelineusa.com it's about 40 bucks, and after a few months (of about 10 min a day), I am starting to see stomach muscles that i haven't seen since high school. And I'm 42. And no, I am not selling it or do I make any money off it. All I know is I do it every morning and it kicks my you know what. Link to post Share on other sites
georgehutton Posted December 21, 2008 Share Posted December 21, 2008 One more thing that will kick your you know what and tone you in nothign flat is a thing called a "heavy rope" it looks like a jump rope, but it's made with super heavy rubber that sort of stretches when you jump. get your upper arms and legs really ripped. all i'm sure of is the name, I'm sure you can get them in most sporting goods stores. And cut down on the sugary starchy carbs, that usually helps. (at least it's helped in my case. I eat a lot of chicken breast and fibrous veggies.) Link to post Share on other sites
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