One of those questions. . .

ChristineMarie89
ChristineMarie89 Posts: 1,079 Member
edited October 2 in Fitness and Exercise
about toning.(again *sigh*)
Somehow i have run accross a lot of conflicting information on here so i have to ask. Should i be toning along with just exercising. yes i know toning doesnt burn fat!!!(before anyone goes and wastes their time stating that one more time when that is not the question) I have heard a few times there is no such thing as toning and we are already toned under our "protective layering".(fat lol)
On the other hand i have heard: -the more muscle the more fat loss the better you will look in the end.
-if you dont tone you will be skinny fat(not sure what that is supposed to mean but it doesnt sound too good)
and im sure there are some more i just cant think of at the moment.
So heres the question/questions:
Should i be toning too?
Will toning make me look better in the end?
Can you actually explain why your answer makes sense because obviously not everyone who thinnks they know knows?
If i do need to do i need weights?
If i do need to is there something i can substitute for weights?
AND last question(i think lol): If i do need to can you suggest some toning exercises?
Thank you bunches and sorry to ask the repeated question theres just some confusion here :)

Replies

  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    "toning" isn't really anything, I think you mean should you be doing strength training, the answer to that question is yes, no matter how much you have to lose there are benefits to strength training.

    You can do body weight exercises or use bands instead of weights. I you want specifics you may want to look at the book,
    New Rules of Lifting for Women.
  • statia152
    statia152 Posts: 558
    Bump I have my own personal opinion, but I would rather some one else answer these questions.
  • vim_n_vigor
    vim_n_vigor Posts: 4,089 Member
    Weight training is important for many reasons. See the link below for a listing of good reasons to add it. You do not need to go to the gym or even buy weights to add a weight routine. You can get exercise bands, you can use jugs (milk jugs, etc.) filled with water, sand, rocks, etc to get to the weight you are looking for. You can even use canned and bottled goods in your pantry to create a weight routine. There is no reason to have a weight routine that is boring or that doesn't interest you. Take a look online for many ideas and pick something that looks fun to you.

    Mayo Clinic input on Weight Training:
    http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/strength-training/HQ01710
  • GaiaGirl1992
    GaiaGirl1992 Posts: 459 Member
    yes toning is good, it helps with the arm flap deal. It will make your muscles "pop", ie show more, kinda weight training without the steriodal grunting XD

    you can do body weight training, which is like push ups, lunges, squats, etc without weights. but I use 2 lb bags of rice, soup cans, and water bottles in a sturdy plastic bag when the need for weights arises!

    hmm some exercises could be what I said ^^^^^^^, you can do tricep dips using a chair or a low bed frame, leg lifts for the abs, a bag of pantry items for some bicep curls and swimmer's presses.

    hope I helped some!
  • NuMe46
    NuMe46 Posts: 128
    Toning, aka building muscle mass, is important in that it strengthens your bones, makes you less susceptible to injury while working and just adds to your overall health. Muscle also burns more calories when you are not exercising. Most "experts" recommend 3 times a week, with weights that challenge you but are not too heavy. I like to do 2 to 3 sets of 15 reps of 2 type of bicep exercise, 2 type of tricep exercise, 1 type of rotator cuff exercise, shoulder extensions, and back strengtheners. I incorporate squats with my bicep exercises. Believe me it will burn calories and you will work hard. When I started I was using 3 pound weights, progressed to 5 pound weights after a couple of months. You can google "toning exercises" and you will find a plethora of sights to help you customize your own workout program. I hope this answered some of your questions. Good Luck to you.
  • CrimsonHellkite
    CrimsonHellkite Posts: 114
    well ya got alot of questions there ill try my best to answer

    toning is a very twisted around word by alot of people

    the best way to look more "toned" is to decrease body fat %

    for best results for me and many people you need a mix of cardio and resistance exercise(i.e. weight lifting)
    you dont need weights for resistance, you can do lunges, push ups, squats, dips pull ups...

    i like to do 30-45 mins a day of cardio 5 days a week and resistance training 3 days a week.

    and yes the more muscle you have the more fat you will burn and resistance training does burn calories just like cardio burns calories there are many arguements that it even can burn more, but then again thats why both is needed, while cardio is great and many people can and will lose weight on cardio alone, its very good to gain muscle endurance and personaly i feel better when i do resistance training than just cardio
  • PBJunkie
    PBJunkie Posts: 652
    about toning.(again *sigh*)
    Somehow i have run accross a lot of conflicting information on here so i have to ask. Should i be toning along with just exercising. yes i know toning doesnt burn fat!!!(before anyone goes and wastes their time stating that one more time when that is not the question) I have heard a few times there is no such thing as toning and we are already toned under our "protective layering".(fat lol)
    On the other hand i have heard: -the more muscle the more fat loss the better you will look in the end.
    -if you dont tone you will be skinny fat(not sure what that is supposed to mean but it doesnt sound too good)
    and im sure there are some more i just cant think of at the moment.
    So heres the question/questions:
    Should i be toning too?
    Will toning make me look better in the end?
    Can you actually explain why your answer makes sense because obviously not everyone who thinnks they know knows?
    If i do need to do i need weights?
    If i do need to is there something i can substitute for weights?
    AND last question(i think lol): If i do need to can you suggest some toning exercises?
    Thank you bunches and sorry to ask the repeated question theres just some confusion here :)

    Pros of Weight Lifting
    - Burn as much calories if not more than cardio
    - Helps with posture
    - Increase blood circulation
    - Lowers body fat and adds muscle mass which makes your body feel and look firmer

    Cons of Weight Lifting
    - Requires more protein which MFP does not really take into account, protein levels are far too low
    - Requires more rest in order for your body to heal and grow
    - Higher risk of injury
    - DOMS (Delay Onset Muscle Soreness....trust me once you start doing squats you will know what I'm talking about, but your bum will be so firm and tight your hubby will smile from ear to ear.)

    I would highly recommend it but you have to be prepared and know what exercises to do, for example for every horizontal push you need a horizontal pull exercise in order to build your body proportionally...have seen so many people with great pec (chest) muscles yet they lack a strong back which causes their body to look weird, out of proportion and can cause discomfort in the future.
  • AlsDonkBoxSquat
    AlsDonkBoxSquat Posts: 6,128 Member
    toning is really anything, I think you mean should you be doing strength training, the answer to that question is yes, no matter how much you have to lose there are benefits to strength training.

    You can do body weight exercises or use bands instead of weights. I you want specifics you may want to look at the book,
    New Rules of Lifting for Women.

    This^^^^
  • EllieElephant
    EllieElephant Posts: 19 Member
    I've heard that toning/weight training helps not only to make your body look sleeker when you get the fat off, but also helps to boost your metabolism so that you burn a lot more calories a lot faster when you do cardio. So personally, I would couple weight training with cardio, and continue drinking tons of water, and you will get multiple benefits! Faster weight loss, and a totally hot body while you're at it! ;)
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