Help with Weights

nickyjl81

I've been doing just cardio workouts for about 4 months now. I'm looking ok and have very nice toned arms and legs from all my running and swimming but I need to tone up my core. I've got another 10lbs ish to lose so I know that'll help but I'm thinking that I need to do some weights maybe?

I got my gym trainer to do me a proper program of cardio and weights based on my goals but I'm not happy with it. She gave me loads of leg and arm exercises and nothing for my core at all - she then looked at my program a week later and was surprised that she didn't give me any stomach exercises!!! I don't want big thighs and I told her that but she gave me loads of squats! All I want is to tone my stomach and sides. Needless to say, I've lost faith in her and want to sort my own program out

I've got access to kettle bells, TRX and viper in my gym so can anyone suggest some good stuff for core toning?

nz_deevaa

Heavy squats and Deadlifts are fantastic for your core.

dad106

Squats don't give you huge thighs.. and Ab exercises don't give you six pack abs or help lose fat in that area.

If you want a "toned" stomach and sides, then keep losing weight.

You can do hanging leg raises, planks and sit-ups to help keep the core tight, but you won't really see any results until you lose the excess fat.

Xaspar

Squats with an olympic bar and free weights WILL work your core.
As a matter of fact, a lot of exercises use the core as a by-product, don't discount everything your trainer recommended after all she has SOME experience in all this.
My most effective core exercises are actually 'working' something else but my abs, back and torso get called in for stabilization and support and get as much of a workout if I focus properly as the arms that are actually 'lifting' the weight above my head.

jesz124

You try doing squats at your max weight and tell me you don't engage your abs. Believe me you use pretty much every muscle avaliable to do that squat properly. Many compound lifts will engage your abs.

nickyjl81

The squats my trainer has given me are either with an 8kg kettlebell or one legged using the TRX.

GuybrushThreepw00d

You say your gym has VIPR, so i'd start there.

I'd also echo what nz_deevaa says about Squats being good for your core.

Doing "200 crunches a day" won't hurt, but i'd personally prefer the free weight compound movements.

redflame

I agree with everything above. Squats and dead lifts are absolutely fantastic core workouts. Lifting fairly heavy weights won't result in huge muscles as women just aren't genetically built that way. Also try kettlebell training such as wood chops and windmills (can also be done with dumb bells). As others have said though, without the proper nutrition, you will never see the abs you have worked so hard for, so watch that food intake! Good Luck

nz_deevaa

The squats my trainer has given me are either with an 8kg kettlebell or one legged using the TRX.

Both of those will be good for your core.

I prefer heavy compound lifts, (as I mentioned) but your trainer has probably just started you with a lighter weight due to your fear of getting huge thighs.

Your trainer has listened to you and given you appropriate advice. I'd start by trying it her way.

IronSmasher

Would that be at DW by any chance?

jesz124

Would that be at DW by any chance?

Personally my DW is pretty well stocked weights wise, loads of bars, free weights etc. I don't use their PT,s though so couldn't comment on their abilities.

AZKristi

Pretty much any TRX exercise will train your core because you are constantly working every core muscle to stabilize your body when you perform the exercise. I would do TRX one day a week for sure!

Planks, Mountain Climbers, Russian Twists are great for your core as well. I've been attempting a new exercise recently called a swiss ball pike and I can definitely feel the abs in the lowest part of my core getting stronger every time!