Started in January and go to 3-4 classes a week - kind of a mix of weights/hiit type stuff with some cardio - but my usual is 3 sessions a week to being so busy. Definitely noticed a decent weight loss and some muscle but definitely not where I want to be(flatter tum, bigger bum etc). I’m not overweight but had put on some weight at Xmas so am around 61kg and 5 foot 6 now.
Can anyone give me some pointers as to how to up the ante? Do I need to go more or should I work on diet?
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Am I doing the gym right - how can I up the ante
Changedagain876 · 02/06/2022 08:48
CloseYourEyesAndSee · 02/06/2022 09:03
HIIT and cardio won't build muscle so you need to get a weights programme and follow it.
GallstoneGlory · 02/06/2022 18:07
Unless your body fat is fairly low already I am sorry, but I think @EarringsandLipstick may be being somewhat optimistic. I spent years doing boxing (which is damned high intensity) plus weighted lunges and kettlebell swings and the like, and made not the vaguest visible difference to my muscle definition even after losing weight to reach a healthy weight. Even now, after two years of properly programmed (by a weight lifting coach) weight training four times a week (with significant increases in weights over the period as I became able to manage it), and losing more fat you can only see the vaguest oblique lines on my abs and no other obvious musculature unless I flex.
EarringsandLipstick · 02/06/2022 19:07
I'd also say, in my opinion, doing a range of exercise is important. My week's training consists of 3 - 4 HIIT sessions, each different, 1 - 2 Spin classes, 1 Strength & Conditioning class, but post lockdown I've kept up walking & amazed to realise how important that is to my fitness / shape as well.
EarringsandLipstick · 02/06/2022 19:03
Obviously it depends on the individual to an extent.
I do have low body fat, naturally, that's true.
However, my HIIT classes that combine some weights & core with high intensity work absolutely have given me the shape I want. But again, muscular for me, is having good shape & definition, being highly toned & without flab.
Also, for me, I need that high intensity interval work to get fit; I'm overall pretty fit as I've exercised a lot since my 20s but it's the rapid change in exercises that benefits me the most. If I was doing one type of exercise, I wouldn't get half as much out of it.
I think what I'd say is too much focus is put on heavy weights at times. They are absolutely worth doing but I feel strongly that most women will benefit from HIIT-style exercise, in terms of overall fitness & shape.
I have several friends through training who would all have the same experience as me, but that's of course not saying it's the same for everyone.
Lawntomeadow · 02/06/2022 19:45
And that's brilliant. If it works for you and, most importantly, you enjoy it so you'll keep it up in the long-term then more power to your elbow. 😊And I agree that cardiovascular health and fitness should be balanced alongside strength training, at the very least to try and prevent osteoporosis as we age. Over focus on anything is rarely healthy, striking a balance is key and finding out what you enjoy.
We all have our own opinions and preferences in our personal fitness, I just thought your first comment to @CloseYourEyesAndSee came across rather dismissively or even rudely, whether you intended to or not. Although I agree a lot of "nonsense" is posted on here, that definitely wasn't a post I'd single out! Now, if they'd come on to say the OP should only be eating 1000 calories and never eat any carbs, other than rice cakes, then that would be nonsense. And I'm quite sure I've seen some variaton of that "advice" on MN before.😃
EarringsandLipstick · 02/06/2022 19:03
Obviously it depends on the individual to an extent.
I do have low body fat, naturally, that's true.
However, my HIIT classes that combine some weights & core with high intensity work absolutely have given me the shape I want. But again, muscular for me, is having good shape & definition, being highly toned & without flab.
Also, for me, I need that high intensity interval work to get fit; I'm overall pretty fit as I've exercised a lot since my 20s but it's the rapid change in exercises that benefits me the most. If I was doing one type of exercise, I wouldn't get half as much out of it.
I think what I'd say is too much focus is put on heavy weights at times. They are absolutely worth doing but I feel strongly that most women will benefit from HIIT-style exercise, in terms of overall fitness & shape.
I have several friends through training who would all have the same experience as me, but that's of course not saying it's the same for everyone.
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