Thread: Lost weight. Toning time. Recommendations?

Ok. I lost some addition weight. I am 6 pounds from my goal. However, I need to seriously tone up. I love cardio but I need some light weight training. What are the best exercise to tone? I need to really work on upper body toning. Back, shoulders, arms and upper abs. I need to tone my lower as well but now quit as much. My legs get strong fast. Any dvd recommendations with light weights? Just want to look a little better by May.

Keep doing bellydance drills and technique. Also, yoga and pilates help a lot. If you want to use weights, use lighter ones so you don't bulk up but I would use the bands instead of the weights.

P90X is really working for me. My arms are freaking me out these days. [And I have been weight training since early '90s, everything from "Body for Life" to machines--the ones that I can fit into-- to free weights to bands].

There is no such thing as "spot training." I.e., even when you work your legs, your upper body gets toned as a result. You can work out specific body parts, but you cannot shape specific ones without others being affected.

Best bet is to do overall lifting with free weights, more reps (12-15 per set, 3 sets). Weight should be such that the last 3 reps are extremely difficult to execute.

Start here: LIES in the gym :: stumptuous.com

Then go here: Training :: stumptuous.com

I am a pilates instructor and this would be my highest recommendation to you. If you can take mat classes, or equipment classes you will see a huge difference, but it has to be consistent....mat 2-3 days per week. Equipment 1-2 days per week. Equipment training is much more expensive, but if you take classes as opposed to privates it is better. I also agree that Yoga is great, and have hear great things about gyrotonics