Female: Ok well I do want to tone up but I don't want to look like that (as she points to pictures of bodybuilders). I just want to tone!!!
Me: Do not worry, before you look like that, you have a LONG way to go to gain even half that much muscle.
Female: (walks away)
Just kidding but not really. Every time I talk to a new female client, this is the first thing that comes out of their mouth. Ladies, you will not gain as much muscle as males do. You have a higher body fat percentage for many scientific reasons. You have less muscle than males because of many scientific reasons. Strength training will not bulk you up. Conversely, spending an hour on the Stairmaster will not "tone" you up. We have already gone over slow cardio training so you should know that!
Muscle only grows if you stress it. If you overload a muscle, (more likely a group of muscles) it will have a reason to grow. It gets more complicated from there but you get the point. I see too many females doing only cardio and group classes. I also see a lot of females who think that Bodypump class is considered progressive weight training. Have you seen the weights in there? I think they got those from the toy section in Target. In the beginning of anybody getting off their ass, increased use of weight will grow a muscle. Like I said in an earlier post, the body will adapt. Once the muscle's system adapts to your Bodypump class, nothing else will happen. Your futile attempts to increase reps, time, and cardio will end in a plateau or injury. Start learning how the body works. I suggest you start with the nearest toddler who is learning to move and walk. Hit up the local daycare and watch perfect human movements (don't look creepy though). The kids will probably then look at you and exclaim, "Lady, you can't squat correctly? I learned that stuff last year!"
How much you squat baby?
Next time.... Quality over Quantity.
You made your point with the picture of that cute child.
ReplyDeleteVery informative!!