What's the most effective exercise for toning?

[TeaOneSugar]

I go on holiday in 6 weeks and would like to tone up a bit before I hit the beach, plus I'd like to get to my target weight.

I'm a member of a gym so I've got access to classes (although I struggle to get to them), cardio equipment, free weights, machines, powerplates, and the usual excercise balls etc.

I can usually make it to the gym 3 or 4 times a week, but I can't they're usually quick visits before dd gets up or after she goes to bed.

I tend to use the cross trainer or treadmill, but I know this isn't the best thing for toning. When I make it to a class I tend to go to Zumba or another active type class, should I be going to strength classes? I wanted to try kettlebells yesterday but DH was late getting home and I missed it.

What's the most effective thing I could do for 30 mins 4/5 times a week?

After losing 4.5 stones, I need to tone all over, but my main areas are my arms, bum and thighs.

Body pump. Free weights; interval training on any of the cardio equipment. And....The 30 Day Shred.

I had been doing interval training on the cardio equipment - I think - I run for a 3 mins then walk 2 mins etc, so hopefully that's been helping.

I need to book a session with a trainer I think before I tackle the free weights, it's been a long time since I've used them, I get a free session with my membership, but actually booking a session is proving a challenge.

I have 30 day shred and like it, but I can't seem to motivate myself to do it at home, for some reason I can motivate myself to go to the gym .

Do you think I'd see a change in 6 weeks doing strength classes and using the free weights?

I think you would. You do need to push yourself so it is really uncomfortable, both with the weights and the intervals. Try googling tabata training and have a look at that sort of thing. You should see a real difference in 6 weeks tough.

Kettlebells! By far the best thing I've tried. I know have an actual 6pack, toned arms and legs, improved strength and stamina.

I do an hour class twice a week. Prior to the class I do 10minutes on treadmill fast walking, 10minutes on rower then 10minutes on the stepper.

I've lost a stone in 3 months and very confidently wore a bikini on hols two wks ago for the first time since having ed 6years ago.

I keep hearing good things about kettlebells, I'm hopeful I might make it to a class this week and then I can probably do it myself on the gym floor.

I think the gym does three classes a week, but they're only about 20 mins long.

Off to google tabata training, thanks.

Thought I'd update, I did a body pump class yesterday, it was tough but I managed it and while I can feel it today I'm not walking like a cowboy as someone at the class suggested I would be, so maybe I'm stronger than I thought.

I've booked a session with a personal trainer next week (I get a free session with my membership package), I'm going to ask him for a 45 minute routine focusing on toning, and some ideas for how I develop it in future. I don't want to get into the whole personal trainer thing, I used one a few years ago and it's more time and money commitment than I can manage at the moment.