Weights

[Allaboutyou222]

Just posting to be evangelical about training with weights. I’ve exercised for years (Mainly reluctantly!). You name it, I did it…..step, hit, aerobics, c25k, swimming….liked some more than others but for last 6 months I’ve been training with weights. Largish ones (for me). That plus Body Pump ( again weights but lighter) has been the most transforming thing I’ve ever done. I haven’t lost weight but I am the most toned I’ve ever been and so much stronger!

I fast walk our dogs so get a cardio workout too but nothing excessive, just to keep heart healthy.

I wish I’d started it earlier. Waving goodbye to spin and treadmills now. It’s the way forward!

@HilaryBanks

Does it lose inches though? I don't want to be toned and stay the size I am! I want to be toned and smaller

You lose inches by losing fat. If you don't have fat to lose, weight training would make muscles bigger (although only slightly; the idea that a woman will "get bulky" if she does a few bicep curls with pink 1kg ladyweights is ludicrous - it takes A LOT of HARD work with heavy weight AND a lot of attention to diet for a woman to put on bulk).

If you have fat to lose, and you combine calorie deficit with weightlifting, you will get smaller and more toned.

That said, building muscle will increase your resting metabolic rate and cause you to burn more calories at rest. But it won't make you smaller if you eat all before you. But even if you don't lose an ounce, muscle under the skin makes it all sit better, IMO. And I care much less about the size of my arse when it's primarily composed of muscle than I do when it's composed of flab. It just feels better.

I am really interested in this! My problem is with my arms. Even at my thinnest (underweight- protruding ribs, hips etc) my arms were still out of proportion. Will weights help decrease them or will they get bigger and will they tone the slightly loose bingo wings?

And where would a complete beginner start- preferably at home- and what equipment would I need to begin with?