weight resistance

just use weight machines and cardio. runnings really good for your legs and upper body.
if you have a session with a personal trainer at your gym, they can develop a personal workout programme for you. thats what my gym did when i started - i got one for fitness and toning. i was meant to go back every 20 sessions to get it changed but i never have. i just do what i feel like really!
but yeah... get a personal trainer to draw up a plan for you, as they'll know what to work on to get you toned. :smile:

edit: and they can show you how to use the machines properly so you're using them for maximum tonage! and they'll know what weights to use and how many to do (eg. i do two sets of 15 pushes on each of my weight machines. the opposite to little and often on each machine... lots and not often i guess that would be)

Reply 2

ph9

OP

oh lol i've been with my gym for just under two years now. i know how the weight-resistance machines work and everything, remember the stuff from my induction day.

i was just never told what they were for or what they did. he just said "these will help you build muscle" which is fine but, i mean, it's a little vague. when will i start to feel a difference (i.e. more firmness?), etc etc.

thnx btw X

Reply 3

Use a proper compound routine incorporating deadlifts/squats/benchpresses etc. Eblis wrote one out in another gym thread very recently. Don't use a personal trainer's plan.

Just because you're female doesn't mean you have to use a crap routine.

Reply 4

shewantstobeme

Speleo

Don't use a personal trainer's plan.

Just because you're female doesn't mean you have to use a crap routine.

The personal trainers at our gym are amazing! They really know their stuff and are really helpful. If they tell you to do one machine to work something, but you don't like it, they'll try to find you an alternative which can still help. You want an enjoyable workout that you can stick to and get results from. Don't keep pushing yourself or you won't enjoy it.

Reply 5

The very fact that they are putting you on weight machines suggests that they are crap. If you want a 'fun' but ultimately ineffectual workout then by all means follow such a plan. If you actually want to become more 'toned', i.e. lose fat and gain a little muscle, then a proper free weight routine blows a machine based one out of the water.

Reply 6

shewantstobeme

Speleo

The very fact that they are putting you on weight machines suggests that they are crap. If you want a 'fun' but ultimately ineffectual workout then by all means follow such a plan. If you actually want to become more 'toned', i.e. lose fat and gain a little muscle, then a proper free weight routine blows a machine based one out of the water.

i dont just have weight machines on my plan. i have mat work, ball work, cardio etc too.

Reply 7

Mat and ball work is even worse D:

Seriously, find a decent compound routine with deadlifts/squats/bench presses/bent over rows/pull ups etc. and run/swim/cycle for cardio. You'll get much better results. Just because you're a girl doesn't mean you have to do a 'girly' workout.

Reply 8

ph9

OP

so you're saying the machines like the vertical traction, leg press, abdominal thingy (crunches basically), etc are rubbish and won't actually help in the long run?

ugh. great.

you're suggesting i go do bench presses with the big juicy muscular men at my gym... bugger.

Reply 9