The Student Room Group

how to tone up, gym wise?

Right I've been going to the gym for a few months now, 3 times a week. but I feel like I've just been 'playing' up at it. I do about 30 mins on the bike, another 30 on the tredmill, and 10 mins on the rower. I really need to tone up a bit. so my question is, how do you tone up by using the machines at the gym? any tips would be great

thanks
Reply 1
either set higher resistance on the CV machines that you use (ie an incline on the treadmill, a higher level on the bike etc) or, more effectively, add light weight training to your workout. Book one session with a personal trainer to show you what to do if the machines or the free weights intimidate you. Another option is adding some kind of "conditioning" exercise. If your gym does classes in ashtanga yoga, pilates or just a "bums and tums" type class give it a try.
Reply 2
well 'toning' is simply losing fat and tightening up muscles. your cardio work seems ok, so using the weights machines on a light manageable weight with quite a high amount of repetitions would be good (this doesn't lose fat off that area, it simply builds endurance and tightens it). just don't do what i see most females in weights rooms do and put the machine on the lowest possible weight, do 15 reps with almost no effort and then walk off. if you talk to a gym instructor at your gym they would set out a regime suited to your aims.
http://www.stumptuous.com/cms/index.php theres loads of info on there, and its not written by a man so you neednt be afraid

check the "starting" link I guess, and go from there
Reply 4
Body weight exercises such as sit-ups, press-ups and pull ups can build endurance and tone muscles without building bulk.
Reply 5
some great answers. thanks guys :smile:
Reply 6
Cardio makes you lose weight, there will be some muscle and some fat. So i would suggest putting some resistance work in there. You could also look at your diet.
Reply 7
using the bike, treadmill and rower will burn fat and strengthen your heart, but if you want to tone your muscles you should either use weight training or exercises like sit ups, press ups etc.

It really depends what part of your body you want to work on. By the way, jogging is really good, its much better than using the treadmill, especially if you can go somewhere nice

Best of luck :wink:
Reply 8
For the love of god, please make sure you're using the rowing machine properly. I see so many people with horrific technique on them, they're using all the wrong muscles and are just going to injure themselves long-term.
Reply 9
i fell off the rowing machine the other day! the foot straps things were too loose, and i was going a bit energetically and managed to propel myself backwards and went flying off it! oops! highly embarassing but thankfully not very painful!
Reply 10
If your technique is good you should be able to row strapless without any problems.
Reply 11
imasillynarb
If your technique is good you should be able to row strapless without any problems.



really, how?
Reply 12
Hayley_2k4
really, how?


It's not something you should do normally as part of your exercise routine - for ordinary sessions you should keep strapped in. But it's possible to stay in your seat without footstraps on, if you're finishing correctly.
Reply 13
But it sucks when your coach goes 'oh, do 40mins on the ergo... feet out please'. Urg. Bastard!
Reply 14
Fyska
But it sucks when your coach goes 'oh, do 40mins on the ergo... feet out please'. Urg. Bastard!


Now that's just evil :evil:

*is dreading going to the boathouse for ergy fun tonight*
Reply 15
Fyska
But it sucks when your coach goes 'oh, do 40mins on the ergo... feet out please'. Urg. Bastard!



sounds...just ugh :p: