Need a s trength training routine..any suggestions??

A friend of mine told me about bodybuilding.com. Check it out, it's done wonders for me already, and it's only been 3 weeks.

Try googling strength training routine, I know bodybuilding.com has some nice routines as well. You can either use free weights or the machines if you are new to strength training.
I go to the gym and do Beachbody's fitness programs so that's another option as well.

Im right there with you girl, I have no idea what to do to tone up...Im not very good with the repetitions part of it, or what machines at the gym do what....so hopefully someone enlightens us both

I have really like Jillian Michael's "No Trouble Zones" DVD. I sweat a ton and after doing it for 2 weeks noticed some big changes in my body. I have been doing it for 3 weeks 3 times a week, and then run or do the BL "Last Chance Workout" 3 days. Good luck. There is a lot to choose from.

The more muscles you can invove in your workout, the better results you will have. Compound moves will usually give you the best workout. Machines are usually a little safer, but they isolate the muscles. You may prefer them though, because they are a little simpler too. I do prefer free weights.

There are several sites you can get good workout routines from. Bodybuilding.com has some really good ones, and they also have videos showing you how to do them. You can also get routines out of most fitness magazines. I have an app on my phone called jefit, that allows me to put in my routine,(if I don't want to use on they have) then has a timer on it to tell me when my rest set is over. It's a good way to log my workout, to tell me how I am doing.

I am following the Lee Labrada Lean Body 12 Week Challenge on Bodybuilding.com. It features a daily workout with both freeweights and machines and includes videos of each exercise. I write them down in my notebook so I can keep track. It's a really simple (but full-body, sweat-producing, hard) routine. Just pop up the Challenge on the computer and it tells you what to do that day!

It only calls for cardio on your rest days and during your back/bicep workout days. I do more cardio than that but limit (READ: SHOULD limit) it to 30 minutes on strength training days or I get really exhausted.

As a woman, it was a little bit intimidating to do the machines and freeweights in the "man" portion of the gym. I quickly got over it when I lost my first two inches off my waist. My 4 week measurements are on Sunday and I'm really excited to see the results!

P.S. Lift heavy (safely) or go home! It is physiologically impossible for women to get "bulky" so again, don't be intimidated!

Les Mills Bodypump is great. A lot of Gyms offer it. I've been doing it two to three times per week for the past 5 months. I've gotten great results, and it's actually a fun class. Even if you can't go regularly, it will teach you some great strength training excersises that you can do on your own time. Also, many people are surprised to find out that the classes tend to be made up of mostly women in their 30's and 40's.

BodyRocktv as well- not typical weight equipment, but trust me, sandbags are not light and will give you a good strength workout

Same here, would like to tone up as well all i got is 3-5lb dumbells and simple exercises to get it done. When im ready to do heavier things, I was told you can make heavier weights like filling milk jugs/ reusables with stuff and so on..

try womens health .com for some really good strength training programs

I do 3 days, then rest, and repeat. Day 1: Chest/Triceps, Day 2: Back/Biceps, Day 3: Shoulders (and sometimes legs). I probably do about 30 minutes, and I try to do the highest (but reasonable) weight I can on the machines or free weights.

I've dropped from a size 7 to a size 1 by doing this this year.

I also started taking one scoop of protein with water right after doing weights and after only two weeks on protein I broke my months-long plateau.

I also started to occasionally do Viktoria Telek's workouts on youtube. She has really fantastic, fun routines. Some of them get really hard! I'm pretty sure if you did those videos 3x a week you would be super toned.

Look into kettlebell routines. I do one at home that is free "on demand" through comcast. Kettle bells are like doing strength training and cardio at the same time. There are so many things to do with the kettlebell. It keeps things interesting. I also like lifting the kettlebell more than I do the dumbbells. It seems more natural and comfortable to me. It burns moocho calories! Good luck!