Spot reduce VS. Toning
GothyFaery
Posts: 762 Member
So everyone says you can't spot reduce areas but isn't that what toning does? I'm confused. Can someone please explain the difference?
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Replies
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i don't know this website at all, i just googled "toning" and it came up. but it seems kinda legit... at least it has real information in it.
http://scoobysworkshop.com/toning/0 -
Both terms don't really mean anything. It works like this: The less fat you have, the more your muscles show. The more you lift, the bigger those muscles are. If you've lost a lot of weight, you might have loose skin so your muscles don't show even if you have a low body fat percentage, but adding muscle can fill up that extra space.0
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When people talk about "spot reducing" they want to lose fat from specific areas, like say just their stomach, or just their butt. You can't do that though because your body loses fat where it wants and there is no way to specifically target one area and "spot reduce".
Toning is a word that's thrown out left and right and there really isn't a solid definition for it. What I perceive "toning" to mean is someone wants to lose fat and have just a bit of muscle so they're not jiggly.0 -
Sure, so spot reducing is the myth that you can target fat in a specific area by doing something. Doesn't work that way at all, fat gathers where it does due to genetics. So generally, if its the first place to gain fat, it's the last place to loose it. (ie. I gather most of my fat around my abdomen and lower back).
Tonning is the myth that you can make a muscle more prominent or "tighter". That's impossible, a muscle's "tone" is a natural state for a muscle and cannot be made tighter or looser.
Better said, tone is not a verb, it's an adjective. You can "look" tone, but you cannot "tone" anything.
The "tone" look is a mixture of prominent muscle and low bodyfat %.0 -
i don't know this website at all, i just googled "toning" and it came up. but it seems kinda legit... at least it has real information in it.
http://scoobysworkshop.com/toning/
Eh, it's partially right, but partially completely wrong.
The "right" part is that "toning" means jack. Or, more specifically, there's no fully accepted definition for it, although a couple of basics are generally accepted as true. He (she?) basically has it right that it means to strip the fat off, revealing the muscle underneath.
"When you grill people who are “toning” what it is they are trying to accomplish, most of them say they just want their muscles harder. Well, news for you. The way to make your muscles “harder” is not to lift weights but to remove that layer of fat under the skin and to do this requires cardio and reduced caloric intake – not weight lifting!"
The 100% wrong part is that cardio is the way to go about this. No. If you do nothing but diet and do lots of cardio, you will also lose the muscle you are trying to reveal, or "tone." You must do some sort of resistance training to retain the muscle - which means weight lifting or body weight work.
As far as OP is concerned, Jennie and Frank summed it up pretty well.0 -
No such thing as "toning". It's a term used to "soften" the definition of lifting weights. The terminology was used to get women to lift weights because the fitness industry KNEW that women will spend more money on self improvement than men would. So coming up with the word opened up several different programs that made the fitness industry tons of more money.
But lots of females are getting smarter now about it and are realizing that "toning" has many subjective definitions.
There are no exercises that one can do to legitimately or significantly that targets fat loss on any part of the body.
A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition0 -
So basically neither mean anything? And if someone were to work one specific muscle group for a year but did not eat at a deficit, while they may be stronger in that area, it would basically look the same? Damn marketing schemes always mess with my head!0
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Yup, that's right!0
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True, but you can target specific areas of the body to develop those muscles - i.e.: legs, abdomen... So that when you have reduced the fat, the muscles will be more prominent.Sure, so spot reducing is the myth that you can target fat in a specific area by doing something. Doesn't work that way at all, fat gathers where it does due to genetics. So generally, if its the first place to gain fat, it's the last place to loose it. (ie. I gather most of my fat around my abdomen and lower back).
Tonning is the myth that you can make a muscle more prominent or "tighter". That's impossible, a muscle's "tone" is a natural state for a muscle and cannot be made tighter or looser.
Better said, tone is not a verb, it's an adjective. You can "look" tone, but you cannot "tone" anything.
The "tone" look is a mixture of prominent muscle and low bodyfat %.0 -
Both terms don't really mean anything. It works like this: The less fat you have, the more your muscles show. The more you lift, the bigger those muscles are. If you've lost a lot of weight, you might have loose skin so your muscles don't show even if you have a low body fat percentage, but adding muscle can fill up that extra space.
Close, but not exactly.
The more you lift, the more muscle mass you maintain as you lose the fat. The more muscle that you maintain the more that will show when the fat is gone. The muscles aren't getting bigger as you're getting smaller, they just being uncovered.0 -
So basically neither mean anything? And if someone were to work one specific muscle group for a year but did not eat at a deficit, while they may be stronger in that area, it would basically look the same? Damn marketing schemes always mess with my head!
Big time! "You can have the body you want thru diet and exercise.....total bullsh*t!" Genetics (unfortunately for me) play a big role.
Just lose weight and exercise (strength train).....so you can at least KEEP the muscle you already have. Keeping muscle is a good thing.0 -
No such thing as "toning". It's a term used to "soften" the definition of lifting weights. The terminology was used to get women to lift weights because the fitness industry KNEW that women will spend more money on self improvement than men would. So coming up with the word opened up several different programs that made the fitness industry tons of more money.
But lots of females are getting smarter now about it and are realizing that "toning" has many subjective definitions.
There are no exercises that one can do to legitimately or significantly that targets fat loss on any part of the body.
A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
Just asking for your input here - then why do squats and lunges improve the look of the buttocks and thighs even without any weight loss? there is a visual difference between the rear of a person without tone in those muscles and the rear of a person who works those muscles regularly. I did squats for months and my butt looked better, less flabby and more tight, and it did not get bigger, as it would with more muscle mass.0 -
No such thing as "toning". It's a term used to "soften" the definition of lifting weights. The terminology was used to get women to lift weights because the fitness industry KNEW that women will spend more money on self improvement than men would. So coming up with the word opened up several different programs that made the fitness industry tons of more money.
But lots of females are getting smarter now about it and are realizing that "toning" has many subjective definitions.
There are no exercises that one can do to legitimately or significantly that targets fat loss on any part of the body.
A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
Just asking for your input here - then why do squats and lunges improve the look of the buttocks and thighs even without any weight loss? there is a visual difference between the rear of a person without tone in those muscles and the rear of a person who works those muscles regularly. I did squats for months and my butt looked better, less flabby and more tight, and it did not get bigger, as it would with more muscle mass.
Go back and read the bold. :flowerforyou:0 -
The bold does not answer the question I asked. I am asking for a specific answer for the visual change that occurs when people do squats, without fat loss or muscle building.No such thing as "toning". It's a term used to "soften" the definition of lifting weights. The terminology was used to get women to lift weights because the fitness industry KNEW that women will spend more money on self improvement than men would. So coming up with the word opened up several different programs that made the fitness industry tons of more money.
But lots of females are getting smarter now about it and are realizing that "toning" has many subjective definitions.
There are no exercises that one can do to legitimately or significantly that targets fat loss on any part of the body.
A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
Just asking for your input here - then why do squats and lunges improve the look of the buttocks and thighs even without any weight loss? there is a visual difference between the rear of a person without tone in those muscles and the rear of a person who works those muscles regularly. I did squats for months and my butt looked better, less flabby and more tight, and it did not get bigger, as it would with more muscle mass.
Go back and read the bold. :flowerforyou:0 -
The bold does not answer the question I asked. I am asking for a specific answer for the visual change that occurs when people do squats, without fat loss or muscle building.No such thing as "toning". It's a term used to "soften" the definition of lifting weights. The terminology was used to get women to lift weights because the fitness industry KNEW that women will spend more money on self improvement than men would. So coming up with the word opened up several different programs that made the fitness industry tons of more money.
But lots of females are getting smarter now about it and are realizing that "toning" has many subjective definitions.
There are no exercises that one can do to legitimately or significantly that targets fat loss on any part of the body.
A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
Just asking for your input here - then why do squats and lunges improve the look of the buttocks and thighs even without any weight loss? there is a visual difference between the rear of a person without tone in those muscles and the rear of a person who works those muscles regularly. I did squats for months and my butt looked better, less flabby and more tight, and it did not get bigger, as it would with more muscle mass.
Go back and read the bold. :flowerforyou:
Water retention, for one.
Body recomposition, for another.0 -
No such thing as "toning". It's a term used to "soften" the definition of lifting weights. The terminology was used to get women to lift weights because the fitness industry KNEW that women will spend more money on self improvement than men would. So coming up with the word opened up several different programs that made the fitness industry tons of more money.
But lots of females are getting smarter now about it and are realizing that "toning" has many subjective definitions.
There are no exercises that one can do to legitimately or significantly that targets fat loss on any part of the body.
A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
Just asking for your input here - then why do squats and lunges improve the look of the buttocks and thighs even without any weight loss? there is a visual difference between the rear of a person without tone in those muscles and the rear of a person who works those muscles regularly. I did squats for months and my butt looked better, less flabby and more tight, and it did not get bigger, as it would with more muscle mass.The more you lift, the more muscle mass you maintain as you lose the fat. The more muscle that you maintain the more that will show when the fat is gone. The muscles aren't getting bigger as you're getting smaller, they just being uncovered.0 -
So basically neither mean anything? And if someone were to work one specific muscle group for a year but did not eat at a deficit, while they may be stronger in that area, it would basically look the same? Damn marketing schemes always mess with my head!
Exactly. A great book, very accessible and basic, is "new rules of lifting for women". I highly recommend you pick up a copy. It'll put you years ahead of most, and you'll actually know what you're doing as you approach these things which is a relief.0 -
So basically neither mean anything? And if someone were to work one specific muscle group for a year but did not eat at a deficit, while they may be stronger in that area, it would basically look the same? Damn marketing schemes always mess with my head!
Exactly. A great book, very accessible and basic, is "new rules of lifting for women". I highly recommend you pick up a copy. It'll put you years ahead of most, and you'll actually know what you're doing as you approach these things which is a relief.
Thanks for the info, I will look into it!0 -
So basically neither mean anything? And if someone were to work one specific muscle group for a year but did not eat at a deficit, while they may be stronger in that area, it would basically look the same? Damn marketing schemes always mess with my head!
Exactly. A great book, very accessible and basic, is "new rules of lifting for women". I highly recommend you pick up a copy. It'll put you years ahead of most, and you'll actually know what you're doing as you approach these things which is a relief.
Thanks for the info, I will look into it!
If it weren't so weird or costly, I'd just buy it for you and all the other beginners on this forum lol Good luck, and let us know how it goes or if you have any other questions
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I really want to spot reduce and then tone my left forearm, how should I do it?0
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I really want to spot reduce and then tone my left forearm, how should I do it?
Wrap it in a warm blanket and do some serious cardio. :drinker:0 -
Toning is usually identified as lean with muscle definition. You have to have a good amount of muscle (although nothing major) and body fat reasonably low. Low enough to show the definition anyway.
Spot reduction doesn't exist. It implies that you can target fat loss to a particular area, but in reality fat comes off, whereever it decides to come off first. Usually a little bit of everywhere, gradually. You can't decide to have all your fat come off your stomach for example, it doesn't work like that.
To tone up, lets say to tone your arms, you would ideally to exercises for the muscles in your arms, and reduce overall body fat to show them off. Same goes for other areas of your body. Targeted exercises only really work the muscles in that area (strength & muscle mass) not fat in that area, aside from the general calorie burn you'll get.0 -
Toning is an old school term used probably first in the 60s and 70s - for women. The term still means something to a lot of senior citizens who are desperately trying to work their bodies for strength and fall protection, since P90X, Insanity, etc, is completely out of the question. Light weights, going as heavy as we can, even if its nothing but 6 pounds, squats - all of those are considered toning exercises. Even though its known you cant spot reduce, the word "toning" may not mean "spot reduction". I worked and worked on a challenge on here two years ago (an account I closed but came back). I worked and worked and my butt and side of my thighs got tighter without me cutting my good food, like the young lady said about her looking better after squats with no weights. I wasn't smaller but it looked so much better. So, toning may be an obsolete word but it still runs strong by a lot of people who like to use the word.
GOOD TOPIC, FOLKS!0 -
Forgetting words like 'tone', you can't spot reduce fat because it comes off according to energy needs and does its own thing as far as where it pulls from. OTOH, the work with a particular body part signals the body to do what it's going to do as far as muscle is concerned (given the right diet, too, of course). If you are working a particular muscle hard enough to signal the body to make certain changes in the muscle, that's why one muscle can change in a 'spot' sort of fashion.
I'm a layman, so that's just a general way of looking at it, lol. I'm trying to avoid the whole 'are you putting on muscle' debate, because there are muscle changes before new muscle is built. 'Toning' to me means improving muscle tone to a point below actually building new muscle. But it's a bad word because of the weirdness in defining it, I agree.0 -
I really want to spot reduce and then tone my left forearm, how should I do it?
Wrap it in a warm blanket and do some serious cardio. :drinker:
In it to win it!0 -
Conditioning the muscle to be "harder" and have more firmness is attained through lifting challenging resistance. A person with a "flat" rear then getting some shape to it isn't "toning" because you can't actual "tone" a muscle. The visual will look better because muscle is getting in better condition because of influx of glycogen and water "filling" it in.No such thing as "toning". It's a term used to "soften" the definition of lifting weights. The terminology was used to get women to lift weights because the fitness industry KNEW that women will spend more money on self improvement than men would. So coming up with the word opened up several different programs that made the fitness industry tons of more money.
But lots of females are getting smarter now about it and are realizing that "toning" has many subjective definitions.
There are no exercises that one can do to legitimately or significantly that targets fat loss on any part of the body.
A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
Just asking for your input here - then why do squats and lunges improve the look of the buttocks and thighs even without any weight loss? there is a visual difference between the rear of a person without tone in those muscles and the rear of a person who works those muscles regularly. I did squats for months and my butt looked better, less flabby and more tight, and it did not get bigger, as it would with more muscle mass.
A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition0 -
Switch hands when you look at adult content.I really want to spot reduce and then tone my left forearm, how should I do it?
A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition0 -
Conditioning the muscle to be "harder" and have more firmness is attained through lifting challenging resistance. A person with a "flat" rear then getting some shape to it isn't "toning" because you can't actual "tone" a muscle. The visual will look better because muscle is getting in better condition because of influx of glycogen and water "filling" it in.No such thing as "toning". It's a term used to "soften" the definition of lifting weights. The terminology was used to get women to lift weights because the fitness industry KNEW that women will spend more money on self improvement than men would. So coming up with the word opened up several different programs that made the fitness industry tons of more money.
But lots of females are getting smarter now about it and are realizing that "toning" has many subjective definitions.
There are no exercises that one can do to legitimately or significantly that targets fat loss on any part of the body.
A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
Just asking for your input here - then why do squats and lunges improve the look of the buttocks and thighs even without any weight loss? there is a visual difference between the rear of a person without tone in those muscles and the rear of a person who works those muscles regularly. I did squats for months and my butt looked better, less flabby and more tight, and it did not get bigger, as it would with more muscle mass.
A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
interesting!0 -
Have you bought the book? How do you like it?0
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I have found I am really, really good at spot gaining. I did a bulk and gained 12 lbs. Seems ALL of it went to my gut. Sucks.0
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