workout aficionados

[ena987789]

my goal is to have britney spears's body (i can't believe i'm using her as my ideal!). so when working out, i know i should be using low weights but high reps. so my question is what's a low weight? is it something i can easily lift? if so, then how will i be toning muscle (as the weights are so light)?

thanks!

 

[JJFigure]

I feel like being a smart ass and just tell you to do pilates, but I'm going to resist.

It's actually rather hard to put on muscle - especially for women, so if you choose to do the low weight/high rep method, you'll probably just get bored to death and won't increase your muscle. To develop muscle tone, at the very least you should train in the 8-12 rep range, lifting weights heavy enough so your straining on those reps, not tossing them around. I can't tell you what weight to use - it's something you'll have to experiment with. The easiest way is to try a weight, say 15 lbs. on dumbell presses, and see how many reps you can do to failure. If you can do more than 12 reps, pick a higher weight and try again until you get to a weight you can only do 8-9 reps with. This would be your starting point. You'll probably gain strength fairly quickly if you're a newbie, which is why I'd advise starting in the 8 rep range. Within two workouts, I'd guess you'd be doing at least 10 reps or more with that same weight. Once you can do more than 10 reps with the weight, increase the weight.

This is a very basic method for a beginning weight lifter; it should help you develop muscle tone assuming your diet is somewhat in order. In other words, make sure you are eating ample protein. I don't know your stats, but try to get at least 0.8 grams of protein per lb. of bodyweight. Most of us intake 1-1.5 grams of protein per lb. of bodyweight, but at a minimum I'd shoot for 0.8.

 

[bignate73]

so when working out, i know i should be using low weights but high reps. so my question is what's a low weight? is it something i can easily lift? if so, then how will i be toning muscle (as the weights are so light)?

thanks!

low weights high reps....will bore you and not be productive. i know numerous ladies with bodies that shame britney spears and workout fairly heavy! if you arent challenging your body, it will be complacent within the first few weeks and you cant expect much more from it. thats what low weight does for you...

tone- v. to gain muscle and lose bodyfat, allowing for definition to be seen.

train your muscles to burn calories, progress, gain strength...whatever. you wont bulk up overnight, not without effort, and not without eating for it.