Worried i'm buliding muscle instead of toning and getting smaller...

[newstart2010]

I've been woking out for about 4-5 months on and off. My arms and legs are getting muscley and are quite big, not fat but not slim.

My belly and hips do not seem to be getting very toned.

My legs are quite solid, but my thighs do not seem to be getting smaller just more muscley.

Any tips? Am I doing something wrong?

I'm doing exercise classes with and without weights, and going to the gym a little.

Have also done 30day shred a little but feel going to the gym is more effective for me.

I don't really understand the difference between cardio and resistance. I also hate running. Though having just read through this thread, I'm going to quickly go to the gym and do the introductory spin class video - I've never managed to get through it yet, tend to give up after 10 mins.

Resistance is work at a level that exhausts your muscles before your out of puff. For most people, their thighs would be the thing that stops them doing 10 minutes of solid squats. If you are running, cycling or on the crosstrainer then you are working your heart/lungs primarily (and muscles as well, but unless you have an injury it should be your your breathing that is the main source of discomfort - not your limbs. Although if you are cycling up steep hills your legs will probably burn a bit too....). You should be able to maintain cardio work for 20/30 minutes plus, although short intervals sessions will also improve your cardio fitness.

um what -? introductory spin class video? what is this, please tell me it isn't a video and you are in a room trying to do this on your own...?

Yes, it's a video on the spin bikes in the main gym (so not a small room) which can be done anytime. The virtual instructor guides you through it and knows when you haven't put on sufficient resistance. StarTrac eSpinner - Features Video

I'm sure it's a lot different to doing a class but as I only managed 20 minutes (7 miles) this evening, I'm not up to doing a full class yet.

7 miles in 20 minutes - so you where cycling without wind ok - but at 21 miles per hours and are worried about going to a full spin - why? they will not I can assure you be cycling that fast in the spin class... get a grip girl and go ener the spin where cyling to music and with a good instructor gets you motivated in a differnet way that no video could do

oh and tell them to go a little faster in the class if you don't think they are keeping up with you

oh and does the virtual instructor know if your bike is set up correctly?

Think there is a video for setup

Yeah, I know you are right... should try a real spin class. Have booked one for 6pm tomorrow... hope you are right that I will survive it, it's 45 mins long!

excellent - let us know how you get on with 45 minutes of spin - don't forget some of that time is warm up - and warm up can often be the wosrt , then 5 minutes warm down at the end, so don't worry

often if the music is cheesy it is motovating - don't go all out at the begining - pace yourself and don't worry what others are doing

Also, spin classes are for people of all levels, so a good instructor should give people options - i.e. either tell you to hit the RPM or prioritise the gear.

Not everyone in the class will be using the same gears. It takes a few classes to get into it, and gauge what (eg) "80%" means to you but stick with it.

Have just done an hour with PT. Think that is all resistance work as it wasn't my puff that ran out but the pain in muscles that made it hard and exhausting.
Did things like swinging kettle bells, doing lunges whilst having a viper tube on shoulders, squats with pull weight, dumbbell lifts of some kind, situps with boxing combined, throwing a great big heavy tube.
Doing a bodyvive class next - lots of dancing plus some pulling on tube thingy, so think that's cardio and resistance ... is that right?

The spin class went well, quite enjoyed it. Certainly easier than the video instruction thingy. Mind you I was choosing bottom of the range gears - so if instructor said gears 10-16 I'd select 10.
Did about 16km, is that usual sort of distance for a 45min class?

It will depend how many hill climbs you had..! Glad you enjoyed it and thought it would be easier in a class - just keep going and get stronger and faster - but it will take a while, but all the time you will be getting really fit

Just a word of warning - I recently started spinning but pushed too hard and really over strained the muscles hiding in my wobbly bum! I couldn't walk upstairs for 3 days!

Did another spin class this evening... gosh it was tough. Different instructor - this time my personal trainer was the instructor and he certainly drives you through it. My legs hurt and my right arm!

newstart - how are you doing this week?

I've been having problems with my computer so could not go online. I did 4mins cadio in the gym on tues, but I think I need a protein shake to help me recover as been feeling very drained.