Toning (what is that?)
dlm7507
Posts: 237 Member
What do people mean by "toning"? What is the actual objective? I ask because I see so many people talk/ask about it. Usually strength training gets mentioned. Some norms in strength training:
- Hypertrophy (armor building) around 3 sets of 10
- Strength around 5 sets of 5, 8 sets of 3 (grinds)
- Power (explosive strength for sports) plyometrics, etc.
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every time someone asks about toning the popular mfp response is to tell there is no such thing as toning and suggest they lose more weight. that is kinda sad because not everyone wants to lose weight and it seems like this advice encourages eating disorders or body image issues, Its possible to tone up muscle under a layer of fat. I wish people on this site would stop suggesting weight loss for everything. Not everyone wants to lose weight. Some people are happy being 10, 20 , 30 pounds overweight. I'm very happy being 30 or 40 lbs overweight and very toned solid muscles under my layer of fat. There are different kinds of toning, your three types are a good start.
I'm sure you will get a bunch of "no such thing as toning" or "toning comes from losing more weight, calorie deficit, low bf%" responses to your post.8 -
It's more or less a term used to substitute muscular definition by people who don't understand the principles of fat loss and muscle gain. Many unknowing people are led to believe by many popular fitness media outlets that you can "tone" a muscle through specialized exercises. "Tone" is achieved by lowering total body fat percentage to reveal the underlying muscle. Which is a result of a prolonged constant calorie deficit.6
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You totally called it. Though when in a surplus my vascularity and muscular definition slowly but surely diminish despite the fact that I'm steadily gaining anywhere from 1-2lbs of muscle a month. Which is purely what I've learned from personal experience.every time someone asks about toning the popular mfp response is to tell there is no such thing as toning and suggest they lose more weight. that is kinda sad because not everyone wants to lose weight and it seems like this advice encourages eating disorders or body image issues, Its possible to tone up muscle under a layer of fat. I wish people on this site would stop suggesting weight loss for everything. Not everyone wants to lose weight. Some people are happy being 10, 20 , 30 pounds overweight. I'm very happy being 30 or 40 lbs overweight and very toned solid muscles under my layer of fat. There are different kinds of toning, your three types are a good start.
I'm sure you will get a bunch of "no such thing as toning" or "toning comes from losing more weight, calorie deficit, low bf%" responses to your post.
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It's more or less a term used to substitute muscular definition by people who don't understand the principles of fat loss and muscle gain. Many unknowing people are led to believe by many popular fitness media outlets that you can "tone" a muscle through specialized exercises. "Tone" is achieved by lowering total body fat percentage to reveal the underlying muscle. Which is a result of a prolonged constant calorie deficit.
case and point. Toned can also mean building up muscle (hypertrophy) under the same bf %, to make them more visible.1 -
You totally called it. Though when in a surplus my vascularity and muscular definition slowly but surely diminish despite the fact that I'm steadily gaining anywhere from 1-2lbs of muscle a month. Which is purely what I've learned from personal experience.every time someone asks about toning the popular mfp response is to tell there is no such thing as toning and suggest they lose more weight. that is kinda sad because not everyone wants to lose weight and it seems like this advice encourages eating disorders or body image issues, Its possible to tone up muscle under a layer of fat. I wish people on this site would stop suggesting weight loss for everything. Not everyone wants to lose weight. Some people are happy being 10, 20 , 30 pounds overweight. I'm very happy being 30 or 40 lbs overweight and very toned solid muscles under my layer of fat. There are different kinds of toning, your three types are a good start.
I'm sure you will get a bunch of "no such thing as toning" or "toning comes from losing more weight, calorie deficit, low bf%" responses to your post.
does vascularity and muscle definition = toning? i dont think it does. I think toning can be a solid frame and muscles even under a reasonable layer of fat. Do you need to see veins to be toned? None of my veins show, but my shoulders and arms have shape and i consider myself toned.0 -
Believe me I'm not arguing with you. You have vast amounts of knowledge when it comes to lifting. My definition of tone is what seems the be the general consensus, referring to definition, not how hard or how much muscle there is. When I oil rigged, though my body fat was higher, Though the underlying muscle was much harder to the touch at rest than anything I've built through induced hypertrophy. If that is what you're referring to Sonya.0
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When I read "I want to be toned" or "I need to do some toning" I think of a person who wants to be somewhat lean but not super lean, with a bit of muscle. If it's a woman saying it, I picture Jennifer Aniston (because my celebrity knowledge is outdated lol) and I don't have a reference point for men. Bottom line, I see "toned" as a spot on the "fat vs muscle mass" spectrum, just like "ripped" or "shredded", neither of which are derided here on a regular basis.
ETA: I see Sonya's point about arms/shoulders having shape and agree that would fit my idea of toned too.1 -
When I use the word "toned", I mean that I don't want any muscle definition but I don't want any wobbly bits either.4
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CurlyCockney wrote: »When I use the word "toned", I mean that I don't want any muscle definition but I don't want any wobbly bits either.
Yes this! Toning = no wobbly bits!
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When I hear someone using "toning" I immediately think the person knows little about exercise or are pandering to someone who doesn't as a way to sell them something.2
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I don't understand why everyone loses their minds at the mention of toning. Everyone knows what it means, when you speak condescending to someone that asks, you don't sound smart, you sound like a pompous *kitten*.6
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So, toned is a Goldilocks not too thin and not too fat. That happens a the table, not the gym. People use the word in relation to exercise. What kind of exercise is appropriate for reaching that goal? Hypertrophy? Athleticism oriented? How does exercise relate to the goal of toned? I'm not being condescending. A lot of people seem to be seeking "toned" with exercise. So what kind of exercise contributes to that goal?1
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Numberwang22 wrote: »CurlyCockney wrote: »When I use the word "toned", I mean that I don't want any muscle definition but I don't want any wobbly bits either.
Yes this! Toning = no wobbly bits!
Yes, perfect definition! People (women) who say they just want to be 'toned' mean that they want to be firm. They are happier at higher BF level, but want a good muscle base underneath to tighten everything up so there is no wobble. Sports illustrated models, celebrity look (think Kate Hudson). They do not want visible muscle definition or vascularity.0 -
So, toned is a Goldilocks not too thin and not too fat. That happens a the table, not the gym. People use the word in relation to exercise. What kind of exercise is appropriate for reaching that goal? Hypertrophy? Athleticism oriented? How does exercise relate to the goal of toned? I'm not being condescending. A lot of people seem to be seeking "toned" with exercise. So what kind of exercise contributes to that goal?
I think calisthenics or endurance training is more oriented to that goal.0 -
I don't understand why everyone loses their minds at the mention of toning. Everyone knows what it means, when you speak condescending to someone that asks, you don't sound smart, you sound like a pompous *kitten*.
that's all fine but those who use the word "tone" have fallen for a fitness industry catch phrase that in reality isn't "real"
so does that make them sound like dumb *kitten* or naive dolts?4 -
So, toned is a Goldilocks not too thin and not too fat. That happens a the table, not the gym. People use the word in relation to exercise. What kind of exercise is appropriate for reaching that goal? Hypertrophy? Athleticism oriented? How does exercise relate to the goal of toned? I'm not being condescending. A lot of people seem to be seeking "toned" with exercise. So what kind of exercise contributes to that goal?
basically whatever exercise they choose to do...not joking...
that phrase is a pet peeve of mine...mainly because you see it on the cover of women's day in relation to dr oz.1 -
Toning.
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So, toned is a Goldilocks not too thin and not too fat. That happens a the table, not the gym. People use the word in relation to exercise. What kind of exercise is appropriate for reaching that goal? Hypertrophy? Athleticism oriented? How does exercise relate to the goal of toned? I'm not being condescending. A lot of people seem to be seeking "toned" with exercise. So what kind of exercise contributes to that goal?
I think you've skipped the responses from people who said they consider "toned" to include having muscle but it is still covered by enough fat that there is a not a lot of definition--they're just not wobbly.
I thought about this this morning as I got ready for work. Looking in the mirror, I think I'm pretty much at the spot that many women would say "she's toned." I have muscle but I'm not cut/ripped/shredded (again, words that nobody bristles at the way they do "toned" for some reason.) I'm not wobbly.2 -
So, toned is a Goldilocks not too thin and not too fat. That happens a the table, not the gym. People use the word in relation to exercise. What kind of exercise is appropriate for reaching that goal? Hypertrophy? Athleticism oriented? How does exercise relate to the goal of toned? I'm not being condescending. A lot of people seem to be seeking "toned" with exercise. So what kind of exercise contributes to that goal?
i think toned does happen in the gym, people of any healthy bf% can achieve a toned look with various body exercises. As an example, When girls come on here asking how to tone up their flabby arms, my first thought is to suggest a variety of tricep exercises but i bite my tongue since the mfp consensus is to reply that you can't spot reduce and keep dieting, which to me doesn't solve the issue of toning their arms all it does is give them scrawny arms. I think that building up the triceps under flabby arms gives a more toned look than skinny muscles under thin skin. thats my opinion of what toning is. Healthy slightly built muscles made in the gym, not anorexic and bony made in the kitchen. If you already have built up muscles, than losing weight will show them off, but most girls on this site come on here with no muscle base looking for toning, i guess having a muscle base would be my definition of toned. Thats just my thoughts on this. And what kinda exercises contribute to that goal? i would say hypertrophy exercises specifically, however for a beginner a full body workout is always the better way to go, and then as they gain some knowledge they can tailor their exercises how they want and what they enjoy doing.7 -
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You gotta love MFP toning threads!
"Everybody knows what toning means"
Cue 100 different definitions of toning.2 -
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I asked because if you don't know what your goal is you may have trouble choosing how to get there successfully.
We all have a certain level of vanity and I claim no immunity. At the age of 66, my goal is to go into my "golden years" with the functional strength and fitness to enjoy a healthy life. How I look matters but it is not my primary goal though it can be a side effect of pursuing my goal.
Getting toned and body building are similar in that the primary objective is aesthetics. The body builders just have to work much harder. Since it is actually not that easy to get "ripped" it seems like there is little to fear about achieving that if you aren't doing what it takes to achieve the goal.
My whole purpose in this was what is the goal and what do you need to do to get there? That seems like it should be important if that's what you want to achieve.0 -
Do you really not understand what they mean? Or just think it's impossible?
If I said I wanted to "tone up", as far as body, I would mean I wanted to be firmer, not bigger or smaller.
So my sister is about my dimensions but squishier, more skinnyfat but on the side of skinnyskinny. She would like to tone up, does not want to add much size but does not want to be as squishy, and wants to be stronger. She would call this "toning".2 -
I asked because if you don't know what your goal is you may have trouble choosing how to get there successfully.
We all have a certain level of vanity and I claim no immunity. At the age of 66, my goal is to go into my "golden years" with the functional strength and fitness to enjoy a healthy life. How I look matters but it is not my primary goal though it can be a side effect of pursuing my goal.
Getting toned and body building are similar in that the primary objective is aesthetics. The body builders just have to work much harder. Since it is actually not that easy to get "ripped" it seems like there is little to fear about achieving that if you aren't doing what it takes to achieve the goal.
My whole purpose in this was what is the goal and what do you need to do to get there? That seems like it should be important if that's what you want to achieve.
Agree.
Getting "ripped" is more a function of diet/CICO vs exercise IMO.0 -
I asked because if you don't know what your goal is you may have trouble choosing how to get there successfully.
We all have a certain level of vanity and I claim no immunity. At the age of 66, my goal is to go into my "golden years" with the functional strength and fitness to enjoy a healthy life. How I look matters but it is not my primary goal though it can be a side effect of pursuing my goal.
Getting toned and body building are similar in that the primary objective is aesthetics. The body builders just have to work much harder. Since it is actually not that easy to get "ripped" it seems like there is little to fear about achieving that if you aren't doing what it takes to achieve the goal.
My whole purpose in this was what is the goal and what do you need to do to get there? That seems like it should be important if that's what you want to achieve.
I think it's a good discussion topic. For the most part, I think that people who claim to not know what toning is are playing at being obtuse. Once in awhile I'll ask a poster exactly what they mean by "toning" or "being toned" just to be sure we're on the same page but I believe that most people have an idea of what it is. They might not like the concept of being happy to have enough of a fat layer that there is not a lot of muscle definition, but I find it hard to believe that they absolutely do not know at all what being "toned" implies. The term has been around for ages, as long as many people on this website have been alive or at least been interested in fitness.4 -
It's a term used mostly in media geared towards women and means less jiggly bits but without true definition or size increase. Basically, a tiny bit of size increase to look firm but not enough to create a new shape, and low enough body fat not to jiggle, but not low enough to reveal definition. Stomach and back are the only acceptable places to have definition if there absolutely needs to be some.
Something close to this:
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I think the fitness magazines should start saying: Get Hypertrophy in Just 4 Weeks!
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