Toning

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone would have some good exercice to help toning, stomach, thighs, and butt area?

Thank you in advance! :)

When you say toning.... what do you mean? This word gets debated a lot.

Do you want to reduce fat? That can only be done by losing fat in general (can't spot reduce fat).

Do you want to work the muscles? Deadlifts, squats, lunges, stepups will all help those areas. Those will also help with fat loss, so do them regardless.

This comes up almost daily - go ahead and search "abs butt thighs" or something like that in the forums.  There are many, many threads on it. :)

THE T WORD

amethystgirl knows where it's at!

I am looking to work the muscles.

Thanks for you replies! :)

Original Post by jgoguen:

I am looking to work the muscles.

So you want to make them bigger? 

Bigger but not to big either. I would like to have more definition. I don't want to look like a body builder or anything, but I would like to have sexy femine legs and a flat stomach. My stomach is pretty flat right now but no definition.

Then I think you are golden (assuming you don't start injecting anything ).

If you are interested in following a program (easier than making up your own) - a couple books might be worth picking up at the library (or Borders) - Starting Strength, and New Rules of Lifting for Women.

Oh no, I won't be injecting anything, that is for sure! I don't want to be competing either! I just want to look & feel good and do it naturally!

Thanks, I'll look for the New Rules of Lifting for Women book.

I don't know of many people on here who are doing it for competitions - most of us (including myself) do it, as you say, to look and feel good.

Good luck, and let us know if you've got questions.

I've been doing a souble slam on exercise with P90X and Turbo Jam, (TJ becuase I have issues with the aerobic days in P90X, lol). Both are awesome. P90X gives options for size, or for slim-tone. If you're not into strength training (mind you it is recommended for women over 35 to achive and maintain weight loss, and also to strengthen our bones against the ravages of age), Turbo Jam is great. I honestly feel a lot of tone in my abdominals,hips and butt since I added it to my routine.

First of all, you need to make sure your nutrition is in check. It won't matter how hard you work your abs, if you don't eat right. Eating right is what helps get rid of the bodyfat that covers the abs up. Now the exercise I recommend to handle all areas you mentioned, would be sprinting. It works your abs, legs, and glutes. Not to mention it gives you a fantastic cardio workout that speeds up your metabolism for hours and hours after you are done.

Do this twice a week on days you aren't lifting :

Warm up for three minutes, then sprint as hard as you can for 15-20 seconds and walk briskly to recover for 40-60 seconds. Then switch off between sprinting and walking for 15-20 minutes. Do a five minute cool down. My abs have gotten so much better since I started sprinting. I used to do tons of crunches, etc and nothing compares to the burn you get after a good sprinting session. You have to put a lot of tension through your stomach to run that hard. It also gives a natural defined look to your legs and glutes.

I just love sprinting now because it has so many benefits to it.

Thank you all so much for your help! :)

Vyperman7: I have been running alot, long distances tho, do you think I should keep running my long distances and incorporate some sprints sessions or should I just do the sprints?

Thank you for your help!