What does "toned" mean to you?

[lljkk]

I see this word used a lot on MN. I don't know what it means.

How does someone know if they are 'toned'? What does the word mean, how to tell which of these women (in pics) is most toned, what do you see that makes the difference? Is it skinny, visible muscle definition in the limbs, a 6 pack, "smooth wrinkle free skin", lack of cellulite, lack of fat, lack of boobs.. what is it you're looking for to define "toned".

On which parts of the body does one find evidence of being 'toned'?

Visible muscle definition - especially in the arms and legs. You don't have to have 'abs'. Being thin doesn't make you toned and being a bit overweight doesn't mean you're not toned.

Toned basically means seeing muscle definition.

You can be skinny but not be toned if you have a lack of muscle.

Muscle definition. Skinny and weak is just 'yuck'. The third photo is 'toned'. You can be bigger and 'strong'.

Toned is the state that muscle is in when it’s worked. So not flabby, a bit of definition, firm. Some people are more naturally toned and firm than others who would have to work on it.
Boobs have nothing to do with being toned, as they are made of fat.

That your muscle holds up your fat, of which there shouldn't be too much

toned
/təʊnd/Submit
adjective
1.
having firm and well-defined muscles.
"her toned physique"

I would think of someone who looks like this as toned.
I am not toned

ta!

Defined.

Muscle definition.... eg my legs are more 'toned' than my tummy!

Not necessarily muscly, but not wobbly or flabby. The women in picture 1 are young and slim, but not particularly toned. No 3 is, I’d love to look like that but I’m too lazy. No 2 needs to learn the difference between knickers and dental floss.

I'd say the woman in the second picture you posted is toned. The others aren't.

No 2 needs to learn the difference between knickers and dental floss.

Agree with PP, it’s about muscle definition.

That's funny, I think the 2nd woman in my OP has fake boobs. I don't feel like I can see outline of her muscles at all so she would be an "uncertain" on the toned question in my mind. These ladies in new pics are well-toned, then, right... but maybe too toned?

I can safely say that I have never been toned in my life!

We lose muscle mass as we get older so for me (at nearly 50) it's about having the core strength to still move like I was half my age. It's not really about being able to see the muscles themselves but being able to see by how someone moves that they have strong muscles. So posture and freedom of movement.

This is toned (Sharron Davies' Twitter bio pic) and it's my ultimate body goal. Absolute perfection IMHO. Personality to match too.

None of your original pictures are toned.

None of the first three images are of what I would consider to be toned women. The pic above of Sharon Davies is definitely one that represents toned to me: muscles defined but not pumped.

Tensixtysix
Skinny and weak is just 'yuck'

No need to be so rude! I’m skinny and weak, I’d like to think I’m not ‘yuck’ though!

Fat and wobbly is just yuck.

Oh sorry, we can only criticise thin women like Tensixtysix

I'm skinny and weak. I would like to be more toned. I'm not yuck though. I'm smokin hot!

The Sharron Davies pic all day long

Sharon’s body looks like a work of art in that picture, amazing.

I think you've gone too far with your second set of pics. They are older ladies competing in figure comps or similar and are very low body fat.

They have different goals and indeed rules if they are competing to aspire to.

I'm pretty fat, I'm also pretty strong. I'm smaller than when I was fat and not muscular and if I lost a lot of body fat, I'd have definition.

It makes a difference as you age, as people lose muscle mass and therefore shape.

I don't think any of the pictures you've posted look toned. I'd say toned is not wobbly but lean and smooth; basically that Sharron Davies picture.

Shona Vertue's body