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    What should I be doing at the gym?

    Posts: 15
    edited November 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
    I'm 5'8 and 130... I don't necessarily want to lose weight but I want to be slim with a toned stomach. I don't want big arms. I would like toned legs and a toned butt. What are the best machines and how many reps should I do? Also any other information you think would be helpful to me would be appreciated :D

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    • Posts: 5,178 Member
      No one can answer this for you. First figure out what you want to do: lift weights, join a class, pick up a sport etc. Then do your research about what is available to you, how you can start whatever interests you, and if you still cannot become more specific, consider hiring a trainer to help you build a training program. If your goals are as generic as "get in shape" which is pretty much what I understand, then a ton of different things could work for you, from doing pilates to martial arts or weight lifting or a TRX class and probably a thousand more things.
    • Posts: 737 Member
      edited March 2015
      Don't use machines - Use free weights.

      By the "big arms" comment, I can only assume you're a woman. YOU WILL NOT GET BIG ARMS OR "BULKY" FROM LIFTING WEIGHTS. You do not have the testosterone levels in order to achieve a "manly" physique. Oh also if you want nice legs, you need to squat and squat a lot. Do all the squats.

      Start 5x5 strong lifts, very good for beginners. Good luck.
    • Posts: 184 Member
      defmut3 wrote: »
      Don't use machines - Use free weights.

      By the "big arms" comment, I can only assume you're a woman. YOU WILL NOT GET BIG ARMS OR "BULKY" FROM LIFTING WEIGHTS. You do not have the testosterone levels in order to achieve a "manly" physique. Oh also if you want nice legs, you need to squat and squat a lot. Do all the squats.

      Start 5x5 strong lifts, very good for beginners. Good luck.

      What he said. I've been lifting since August (using the strong lifts program) and have definitely changed my body shape without changing the scale too much. You won't get big arms, but what you will see is they begin to have some shape rather than just being skinny arms. My legs certainly wobble less and everything is a bit firmer.

      Plus free weights are fun and much more satisfying than a machine!
    • Posts: 687 Member
      Stronglifts 5x5. google it!
    • Posts: 17,456 Member
      weightgoals2015 wrote: »
      I'm 5'8 and 130... I don't necessarily want to lose weight but I want to be slim with a toned stomach. I don't want big arms. I would like toned legs and a toned butt. What are the best machines and how many reps should I do? Also any other information you think would be helpful to me would be appreciated :D

      I'm 5'8 and 163lbs and I can tell you that muscles do not make you big .. they make you strong and gorgeous

      Avoid machines

      Use free weights - and lift heavy and progress whilst eating at or slightly above maintenance

      or find something you enjoy

    • Posts: 17,456 Member
      nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/07/21/meet-staci-your-new-powerlifting-super-hero/
    • Posts: 5,965 Member
      I second strong lifts... It's very simple and effective. Doesn't require a ton of time. After a while i even went down to 3 sets instead of 5. I could see changes within a few weeks (flatter stomach)
      Good luck
    • Posts: 582 Member
      I third strong lifts.

      Machines are bad, m'kay. Unless you're in rehab or something. I don't know. I'm sure they have their place, but they don't really replicate normal human movements, so you're not building functional strength, that's what the pros tell me.
    • Posts: 15
      defmut3 wrote: »
      Don't use machines - Use free weights.

      By the "big arms" comment, I can only assume you're a woman. YOU WILL NOT GET BIG ARMS OR "BULKY" FROM LIFTING WEIGHTS. You do not have the testosterone levels in order to achieve a "manly" physique. Oh also if you want nice legs, you need to squat and squat a lot. Do all the squats.

      Start 5x5 strong lifts, very good for beginners. Good luck.
      Okay, thank you... My mom has very big arms but I don't think that I'd ever get to her p
    • Posts: 15
      weightgoals2015 wrote: »
      show previous quotes
      Okay, thank you... My mom has very big arms but I don't think that I'd ever get to her point

    • Posts: 2,516 Member
      weightgoals2015 wrote: »
      I'm 5'8 and 130... I don't necessarily want to lose weight but I want to be slim with a toned stomach. I don't want big arms. I would like toned legs and a toned butt. What are the best machines and how many reps should I do? Also any other information you think would be helpful to me would be appreciated :D

      I'm 5'8 and 140. 130 WAS my goal weight UNTIL I discovered lifting. I have been lifting for a year and the scale has not went down but I can tell you that my clothes have dropped a size and I look fantastic in everything I put on. My confidence is through the roof and I do not look "bulky". Lifing weights is what you need to do. As someone else stated research stronglifts or New rules of lifting for women. At 130 you are definitely not over weight and do not need to lose any weight, you need to add lean mass to give you the definition you are looking for. LIFT ALL THE WEIGHTS, you will thank us later :smile:
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