Question about weight lifting

sokkache

I tend to only do a little bit of machine weights at the gym and spend most of my time doing HIIT intervals while I'm there.

What are some other exercises I can do to keep muscle because I am doing a lot of cardio at the moment?

Would playing a sport like tennis or volleyball be sufficient enough to keep the muscle or should I add bodyweight exercises to increase the resistance?

sokkache

any help?

amybg1

I'd skip the machines and use the free weights if you can, machines tend to have you work on a fixed path so don't work your stabilizers and machines also tend to be lighter in terms of the weight they use so say 70 pounds isn't truly 70 pounds...

You can add bodywegiht exercises to your routine but since you're at the gym, hit the free weights in general too. Why are you doing so much cardio? If you're looking for fat loss and especially maintaining muscle I'd lift more than what you're doing now as muscle burns more at rest so will help you shed the fat and at teh same time regular strength training will help you keep the muscle you have

Bun_Ya

Based on your goals I would say -
Firstly, get some squats in there. Secondly, add in some work for your posterior chain (good mornings, RDLs etc). If you feel good with that then I would go on to include bench press, shoulder press, deadlift, and rows.

But yeah, skip the machines, start light and concentrate on correct form.

SezxyStef

Any sort of progressvie load resistence training will help.

Just as long as the weight is heavy for you it will do the job.

I know lots of women who do circut training with weights (10-20lb dumbbells) and get that look they want....