Barre and Weights

[Stacy]

Does anyone have a rotation to combine barre and weights? I want to reduce the bulk of my muscles a bit without losing too much strength. Has anyone accomplished this with barre and weights? If so, how? I'm a meso-endo pear and would love to slim the thighs a bit as well. I am one of those that does get larger mass with heavier weights for legs, but also tend to feel flabby with no weight or weeks of very light weight.

I have also read to accomplish this for my body type to skip heavy weight leg work altogether and use HiiT training to work the legs.

I want to lose fat all over not just the legs, but with proper diet my upper body responds fairly quickly so I'm not quite as concerned about that part.

 

[rhbrand]

I'd be a little interested in combining the two. I'm doing a couple weeks of walking and barre work just for something different right now.

 

[Justinef]

Stacy - I have the same upper / lower body quandary! I'm probably closest to mesomorph in general, but I have a bit of ecto tendency in my upper body. For years worked my LB harder trying to gain balance. What happens (sounds like your experience) is that I gain masses of muscle on my LB, whist losing little fat, whilst my UB sheds a load of fat, but doesn't gain much muscle. I end up looking even less balanced!

Recently, I've done a bit less leg work, but really pushed the UB weights. It's worked a treat! For me, I need the testosterone boost of big, compound moves though - so it's no use me doing bicep curls and tricep extensions. What has really made a difference is pull-ups, parallel bar dips, push-ups etc. I look much more balanced.

I can't help on the barre idea, though, as it's not something I enjoy, so I don't bother doing it.

 

[~Elsie]

Could someone please direct me to the meanings if these ecto, endo, meso terminology? I am lost. lol.
And I really would like to understand what you guys are discussing.

Stacy, perhaps you could follow along a rotation that you enjoy and then on leg days for three weeks, pull out a barre, tonique etc dvd to sub. Perhaps do this in the evening and do the blasts only portion of RWH Legs or something like that in the morning(if you have time).
Then on the next three weeks, you could try high rep weight work for legs with the blasts only from RWH Legs. Just an idea.

 

[Justinef]

Elsie - Cathe covered endo / meso / ecto here:
http://cathe.com/body-type-composition-impacts-weight-training-performance

Generally ectomorphs are tall and lanky and have a hard time putting on weight, endomorphs are short and stocky and can run to fat if not careful, mesomorphs are the 'athletic' looking ones, but can get thin / fat depending on lifestyle. The original division of body types actually covered personality traits as well. It's an interesting subject. Ectomorphs are characterised by a nervous / twitchy disposition and can sit still, but tend towards higher stress. I've hugely generalised, but you get the idea!

 

[~Elsie]

Oh, that's so interesting Justine. Thanks. I do not why I hadn't spotted that before!
I'm definitely in between ecto and meso with more of an ecto upper body. And I don't know what's going on with my thighs as they have always been thick - since puberty. I like 'em though even though it might not be "fashionable". The longer arms thing, wow, I could relate to that so much. Incline rows, deadlifts, tricep push-ups etc always have to be adjusted. No blazer fits me! I do find for upper body though, I have to do large and small muscle work. Not necessarily for the look of things, but for ease of movement and overall strength.