bodyweight vs free weights

jardimgirl

which will give me better results in terms of "toning and becoming lean?

RayBoy76

Either one will work. Focus on lighter weight and more reps. Cardio is a must for burning calories as well.

ChaplainHeavin

Either one will work. Focus on lighter weight and more reps. Cardio is a must for burning calories as well.

Weights bore me to death so now I just do body weight exercises. Here is a link for multiple exercises. http://workoutseries.com/bodyweightbook/

I thought regular burpees were hard and this guy has you doing burpee jumping jacks as well. The exercises are for cardio and strength.

BEERRUNNER

Both ae good! I warm up with body weight exercises like push up, dips, lunges. all good for ya!

cpusmc

which will give me better results in terms of "toning and becoming lean?

Whichever one you like the best and will do consistently and for the long haul... As one of the posters said, keep increasing sets and reps on whichever you choose and maybe even think about alternating if the opportunity exists.

cafeaulait7

They work the same if you are challenging your muscles enough. Bodyweight once a person gets stronger starts requiring awkward positions to get the load on, but I like the awkward positions

But go heavy, not light. Shoot for exercises that feel really hard to do after a handful or two of reps. If you are able to do a lot of reps of anything, it doesn't change your looks much. The weight isn't heavy enough to change your muscle that way (although the repetition increases your muscle endurance on that move).

rybo

You ask the same questions over & over. Read the answers that have already been given

LolBroScience

Either one will work. Focus on lighter weight and more reps. Cardio is a must for burning calories as well.

No, don't focus on lighter weight and more reps to "tone". No cardio isn't a must to burn calories.

Calorie deficit + Heavy lifts to preserve lean mass = all you need.

Edit - I guess I should also mention having your macro's set up correctly with sufficient minimal levels or protein and fat too...

_firecracker_

No, don't focus on lighter weight and more reps to "tone". No cardio isn't a must to burn calories.

Calorie deficit + Heavy lifts to preserve lean mass = all you need.

^that. "Tone" is a made up commercialized word to cater to women who think lifting will make them bulky. Lift heavy and gain a faster metabolism, lose fat, and look trim and "toned".

rileysowner

Both work. It is up to you to decide. With free weights it is more straightforward in how to progress. With bodyweight, you need to know how to make an exercise more difficult and the more difficult variations when the initial ones become too easy.

As stated, cardio is not necessary for weight loss, that is primarily diet, by which I mean calories.

Also, don't do high reps, instead focus on exercises that really challenge you doing 5-12 reps in general.

dixiewhiskey

No, don't focus on lighter weight and more reps to "tone". No cardio isn't a must to burn calories.

Calorie deficit + Heavy lifts to preserve lean mass = all you need.

^that. "Tone" is a made up commercialized word to cater to women who think lifting will make them bulky. Lift heavy and gain a faster metabolism, lose fat, and look trim and "toned".

Well put

RayBoy76

Either one will work. Focus on lighter weight and more reps. Cardio is a must for burning calories as well.

No, don't focus on lighter weight and more reps to "tone". No cardio isn't a must to burn calories.

Calorie deficit + Heavy lifts to preserve lean mass = all you need.

Edit - I guess I should also mention having your macro's set up correctly with sufficient minimal levels or protein and fat too...

Okay, must is the incorrect wording. I just find cardio as the most efficient way to burn calories. Unless you are trying to build muscle, I see no reason to lift heavy. Yes, calorie deficient is the only way to lose weight, hence fat.

tyrsnbdr

Either one will work. Focus on lighter weight and more reps. Cardio is a must for burning calories as well.

No, don't focus on lighter weight and more reps to "tone". No cardio isn't a must to burn calories.

Calorie deficit + Heavy lifts to preserve lean mass = all you need.

Edit - I guess I should also mention having your macro's set up correctly with sufficient minimal levels or protein and fat too...

Okay, must is the incorrect wording. I just find cardio as the most efficient way to burn calories. Unless you are trying to build muscle, I see no reason to lift heavy. Yes, calorie deficient is the only way to lose weight, hence fat.

The question is what do you want to look like? Do you want to look like the cover model on Runner's World**, or do you want to look like the cover model on M&F hers**? The follow the plan based on how you want to look.

**Yes I know, they are photoshopped... but you can tell the differences in muscle mass and where it is between the 2.

LolBroScience

Either one will work. Focus on lighter weight and more reps. Cardio is a must for burning calories as well.

No, don't focus on lighter weight and more reps to "tone". No cardio isn't a must to burn calories.

Calorie deficit + Heavy lifts to preserve lean mass = all you need.

Edit - I guess I should also mention having your macro's set up correctly with sufficient minimal levels or protein and fat too...

Okay, must is the incorrect wording. I just find cardio as the most efficient way to burn calories. Unless you are trying to build muscle, I see no reason to lift heavy. Yes, calorie deficient is the only way to lose weight, hence fat.

How about for general strength and function?

RayBoy76

How about for general strength and function?

Not sure what you mean there. Personally, I lift for about 30 minutes per session (10-15 reps, 9 sets per muscle group) and run between 30-60 minutes five times a week. I think my strength and function are fine. It is just personal preference as to what you want your body to look like. I prefer the lean look (Mcconaughey) to the bulky look. (Schwarzenegger).

LolBroScience

You're not building muscle while lifting heavy in a deficit, but you can add strength and preserve lean mass.