STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

hotcocoa · Kate Spade

weight training / strength workout question

shopgirl82 · Chanel

my thoughts (and am in no way an expert) is that since toning is your main goal, that you should add weight training about 3 times a week. i'm not familiar with iTrain sculpt, but i would say to do the weight training on the days that you do the iSculpt rather than the spinning.

cardio is more of a calorie blaster/fat burner and strength training is more of a muscle builder/toning workout. if your goal is to tone, you really should be adding strength training to your workout since it seems like you don't have that layer of fat over your muscles preventing your muscles from peeking out, you just need to build muscle, and as you do that, you will look more toned.

that's my understanding, i hope it helps. i'm sure jen could better answer the question though.

poptart · Coach

I'll definitely be interested to hear what Jen has to say, too, but here's my two cents.

From what my trainer has told me about my "problem" area - which is my abs - weights are key. I do pilates like a maniac, and it really helps, but my trainer says that exercises with resistance and weights are essential to continue to challenge the muscle. So, I've added weighted moves to my pilates, as well as some basic weighted abs exercises, and I'm finding it much more challenging. I lift for my whole body 2-3 times a week.

So, I guess what I'm saying is that I would add weighted lower-body exercises. But, I think you could do them with your weights at home. I have a good friend who works hard on her lower body and looks great. I'll try to find some exercises later that mimic what she does.

jen · Kate Spade

I would do less cardio and add heavy weight training. The best, I've found for lower body are squats, lunges, stiff-leg deadlifts, weighted calve raises, set-ups. Also, you really shouldn't be working out 7 days a week. Here's why: When you work out, you create tiny rips in your muscles, on days off, those muscles repair and build up. If you don't take a day off, you are not allowing that muscle to rebuild. So while, you may feel good working out everyday, really, your body will receive more gains if you take a day off.

I'd do weights w/ legs 1-2 times a week and arms 2 times a week. Make sure you do arms, leg, arms, legs or days off in between. Remember, weights are about 80% of the equation to a great body, cardio is only about 20% although it's a must, cardio alone will not do much for your overall figure, so good for you for starting on the weights! Let me know if you need more info. hth!

hotcocoa · Kate Spade

thanks, girls. so... i'm definately going to add weights in to my routine... but less cardio? really? i don't think i can do that!

jen - would you consider yoga a workout? i don't — but should i? i either take a day off or do yoga on that 6th or 7th day of the week as sort of an active rest day. also do you have any visual reference for the exercises you suggested? i'm completely familiar with proper form for lunges, squats and calf-raises, but a bit foggy on stiff-leg deadlifts and set-ups. can i do these last two with equipment i have at home?

poptart - i totally want to know which moves your hot-lower-body friend is doing. research please!