Possibly a strange question but how can I look like someone who works out?

[losenotloose]

Is there a secret that I'm missing out on? I started exercising 3-5 times a week in January. Not really knowing what I was doing, I just tried a bit of everything, so spin, power pump, body conditioning etc. I then had a session with a pt who advised dropping spin because my goal is to build muscle. I'm now pretty much just doing pump and conditioning with the occasional run. However, I don't feel I'm getting the results I'm looking for. I want to look muscular and toned, as if I actually work out. Any tips from those more experienced in this area?!

Many thanks

Should add, I eat fairly well and am not overweight.

Are you doing any weights or resistance? That’s what you need to do to build muscle definition.

Stop with the classes and get trained in how to lift weights.

Heavy weights might I add.

Weights!

Lift heavy weights to build muscle, lose fat to show it.

Body Pump is really a cardio class, you won’t build serious muscle definition unless you are doing fewer, much heavier weights in the gym. Or there are some people (mainly men) in my pump class who load the bar and do less than half of the reps (sort of defeating the point IMO but whatever works for them)

Have you considered targeted weight training? So rather than a full body work out train muscle groups? i.e legs one day, arms another, back on another etc.

My OH trains 5 days a week like this and works each body part alternatively. I used to do a week of classes and a week of training with him and built up considerable muscle, I then decided I didn't want to go to the gym anymore and now am a soft undefined pregnant lady 🙄

You need to do proper strength training. Aka lift heavy weights!

Learn how to do weighted squats and deadlifts properly then increase weight and reduce reps.

Weights - either heavy weights a few reps each or light weights many many times.

Kettle bells are good - various workouts on YouTube.

So the consensus is heavy weights! I'm going to book with a member of staff at the leisure centre as I don't feel I know what I'm doing on my own.

Have a cake and use fake tan to contour some abs.

Personal trainer. DH did it and went from slightly flabby middle-aged man to checking himself out in the mirror as he passes.

It took a few months.

The women in my fitness class tend to fall into one of two categories. Those who do a class every day, plus heavy weight training with our PT all have that "look" that you're after. The rest are fit, but don't necessarily look it iyswim. What tends to happen is that the second group start asking the same question as you, migrate to weight training and get the results they want. There are one or two hard core who don't like the look however.
As pp said, you do need to drop fat to show off the muscles beneath. It's a great feeling though when people give you a surreptitious long sideways look when you take your jacket off .

I’ve given up on the gym and fitness classes a few times because of lack of results ( apart from dance classes which I enjoy enough to do anyway).

Then this April o discovered TRX , suspension training and the difference it’s made to my body is incredible. It’s just a local authority leisure centre, so must be quite ubiquitous.
Give it a go op, it’s been a game changer. Bigger muscles, butter definition, much better posture, and because every exercise works the core as well as the target area ( arms, legs whatever) I look like I’m wearing a corset!

Yes you definitely need to do heavy weights, preferably free weights, you need a good PT to help you with the correct form etc. You also need the right nutrition to get the best results. The classes are great for fitness so I imagine your fitness levels have improved a lot since you started but they won’t give you the results you’re after

Ohyesiam what is TRX?

I'd love to be able to afford a personal trainer but the gym membership already feels like an extravagance!

DH and I are doing heavy weights without a trainer. I've picked up loads from watching youtube videos We've had a number of people comment on our good form when they hear that we're only noobs, including the gym manager, who came over to make sure we weren't going to kill ourselves and was pleasantly surprised. So you don't actually need a PT, to start with, at least.

Agree with pp comments about using youtube! I did that too. Whilst I'm working out I'm taking a sneaky peek at what others are doing and copying them. I started out by asking the instructor at the leisure Center how to use certain weights machines/free weights.