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Thread: What does "toning" mean? To have a toned body?

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    Default What does "toning" mean? To have a toned body?

    I bring this up after I saw Zinadia ask a similar question in the weight lifting thread. What exactly is toning? What is it to have a toned body?

    I have a basic understanding of what building muscle is - making small rips in the muscles, so they repair themselves and become more durable, etc. I'm aware that it's a scientific concept, even if my knowledge of the process is lacking somewhat. Same goes for Cardio endurance. I have a basic understanding of what it is, why it's good for the body, etc, etc.

    But what is it to be toned? Basically, it means no jiggles, right? So wouldn't that be the same as being muscular? I just signed up to a gym today, and they used the word "toned" and "sculpted" a lot to try and get me to buy into personal training. I asked the trainer exactly what he meant, and he couldn't clarify. The whole toned and sculpted fad seems kinda gimmicky.

    I know the overall look I want to achieve - the Jessica Biel, super fit and sexy look - and I'm doing research into starting some heavy lifting, as intimidating as I find it to be. But am I doing the right thing? Should I focus more on toning? WTF is toning?



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    Default Re: What does "toning" mean? To have a toned body?

    Toning is when you use low weights and lots of repitition. Yoga and walking are good exercises for toning because they help to lengthen the muscles instead of bulking them up. For instance, if you tone your back muscles you can lengthen your back, and gain up to an inch in height.
    Heavy lifting is good to get a muscle base, but your going to want to tone the muscles as well, because toned muscles will last longer when exercise stops. A good way to tone is also to stretch after working out heavy because it lengthens the muscles out, and stretches out the "rips". Stretching also helps seporate the muscles to give each muscle definition(like when you see the muscle line in a well toned leg).
    Hope that makes sence

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    Default Re: What does "toning" mean? To have a toned body?

    Quote Originally Posted by 4everresolutions View Post
    But what is it to be toned? Basically, it means no jiggles, right? So wouldn't that be the same as being muscular? I just signed up to a gym today, and they used the word "toned" and "sculpted" a lot to try and get me to buy into personal training. I asked the trainer exactly what he meant, and he couldn't clarify. The whole toned and sculpted fad seems kinda gimmicky.
    I'm never sure what people mean either but I assume they mean losing fat to lose jiggle and then trying to a certain amount of muscle, whatever amount they consider non-bulky. I'd like to see pics of what people consider 'toned' for a better idea. But you can't do it without diet and exercise for sure!

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    Default Re: What does "toning" mean? To have a toned body?

    Quote Originally Posted by 4everresolutions View Post

    WTF is toning?
    Good question! An industry term used in place for muscle phobic women:

    http://www.stripperweb.com/forum/sho...toning+firming

    Ergo, it don't mean sh&% from a science POV.
    A cunning linguist...

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    Default Re: What does "toning" mean? To have a toned body?

    I don't think anything can actually make your muscles longer than they already are too, I think bulky muscles simply appear shorter to some.

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    Default Re: What does "toning" mean? To have a toned body?

    Quote Originally Posted by susie2 View Post
    For instance, if you tone your back muscles you can lengthen your back, and gain up to an inch in height.
    Only in some cases, and even then it's due to improved posture not lengthened muscles.

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    Default Re: What does "toning" mean? To have a toned body?

    Quote Originally Posted by Will View Post
    Good question! An industry term used in place for muscle phobic women:

    http://www.stripperweb.com/forum/sho...toning+firming

    Ergo, it don't mean sh&% from a science POV.
    Yeah, this is exactly what I figured, it doesn't really mean anything. There seems to be a lot of fluff in the fitness world - I've been trying to do research, but my gimmick-radar seems to be going off a lot.

    I've found these two articles: Lifting Heavy and Weight Training 101 and they seem to a good start-off point for a gal like me, who knows next to nothing in the weight training world. But Will, I know you're a fitness expert, so if you have any good jump-off points feel free to share! It can be very intimidating.

    Oi, I totally should have searched before I made this thread, because if I had already found that thread you created it would have confirmed what I had already thought. Oh well, no harm in opening the concept up for more discussion.

    Edit: just re-read that thread, and apparently I posted in it? Damn, my memory is going, going, gone....
    Last edited by 4everresolutions; 05-13-2010 at 09:18 PM.



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    Default Re: What does "toning" mean? To have a toned body?

    Quote Originally Posted by susie2 View Post
    Toning is when you use low weights and lots of repitition. Yoga and walking are good exercises for toning because they help to lengthen the muscles instead of bulking them up. For instance, if you tone your back muscles you can lengthen your back, and gain up to an inch in height.
    Heavy lifting is good to get a muscle base, but your going to want to tone the muscles as well, because toned muscles will last longer when exercise stops. A good way to tone is also to stretch after working out heavy because it lengthens the muscles out, and stretches out the "rips". Stretching also helps seporate the muscles to give each muscle definition(like when you see the muscle line in a well toned leg).
    Hope that makes sence
    I'm not sure if that's scientifically sound - my orthopedic surgeon told me there way no way to lengthen muscles, and essp. no possible way to add height via exercise. But Walking and Yoga are great activities to keep limber and improve flexibility. I should probably do more stretching....

    Also, I don't buy into the fact that women can bulk up unless they do low-impact exercises, even though that's what I've read. It's very hard for me to build muscle, but maybe that's just my body?....



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    Default Re: What does "toning" mean? To have a toned body?

    Quote Originally Posted by Zinaida View Post
    I'm never sure what people mean either but I assume they mean losing fat to lose jiggle and then trying to a certain amount of muscle, whatever amount they consider non-bulky. I'd like to see pics of what people consider 'toned' for a better idea. But you can't do it without diet and exercise for sure!
    Yeah, it's kinda a term that's up in the air, isn't it? I mean, some will consider this toned, while others think that toned is more along these lines. Big difference between those two. I'd say it's intentionally kept vague by diet/fitness companies so each individual woman can project her ideal into it....that way the products that use the phrase "tone" can appeal to a wider audience. Bah, me and my conspiracy theories.

    Oh yeah, diet and exercise here I come! Whoohoo! I'm excited to change my body though, really and truly.



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    Default Re: What does "toning" mean? To have a toned body?

    Quote Originally Posted by 4everresolutions View Post
    But Will, I know you're a fitness expert, so if you have any good jump-off points feel free to share! It can be very intimidating.
    Try http://www.stumptuous.com/

    Krista has tons of good info directed at women. Tons of free articles on my web site also of course.
    A cunning linguist...

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    Default Re: What does "toning" mean? To have a toned body?

    Oh! Very nice, thank you!

    This girl has a sense of humor! Her articles are fun to read....



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    Default Re: What does "toning" mean? To have a toned body?

    Quote Originally Posted by 4everresolutions View Post
    Oh! Very nice, thank you!

    This girl has a sense of humor! Her articles are fun to read....
    Yup, Krista is the schnizzle.

    If you want to follow along with a gal who is starting one my programs and will be blogging every week on it, see:

    http://www.brinkzone.com/training-pr...ybrid-journey/
    A cunning linguist...

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    Default Re: What does "toning" mean? To have a toned body?

    Quote Originally Posted by Will View Post
    Yup, Krista is the schnizzle.
    I grappled at the same gym as Krista for a while, she is extremely intelligent and just as funny in person as she is online. Good submission grappler too with a strong top game.

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    Default Re: What does "toning" mean? To have a toned body?

    Quote Originally Posted by AngelKing View Post
    ... with a strong top game.
    I'll bet!
    A cunning linguist...

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