defined muscles

[twosquared]

Which type of workout helps define muscles more - strength or endurance, or do you need a combo of both.
Right now, I keep mixing up my workouts. I don't know if I'm getting the results I want.

I don't have weight to loose, maybe some bodyfat which I guess if I ate "cleaner" would come off.

My weight training goals are to gain definition and strength, with more emphasis placed on definition - this is for upper and lower body.

SO many of you have such great knowledge of weight training, everyday I learn something new from reading the posts. Hope you can help set me on the path to more defined muscles - oh by the way, I don't want bulk. Does strength training always mean bulk???

 

[toastythemosty]

Not speaking for anyone else, but for me, I seem to be getting more definition...especially in my abs from eating healthy and doing tons of crunches. I am noticing a big difference. I had one day of bad eating while on vacation, but I usually tend to stick to a strict healthy eating.

Charlotte~~

 

[pixie9]

I think the way to get "larger" muscles is to focus on strength training (lifting heavy with longer rests between sets). The way I remember it is "lift big: muscle big". That being said, I'm not sure you really want to get big. Losing excess body weight will definitely show off your muscles since fat hides muscles. So IMO, I would eat clean (80-90% of your diet), do cardio (3-5 times a week), and add both endurance and strength training (1-3 times a week). Mix it up every week to confuse your body and you should see results!
Just my .02 cents!!
Carolyn

 

[Imafitnessfreak]

I agree...work on cleaning up your diet first.

 

[kathryn]

IMO, definition is a combo of building a muscle base (so there's something to show!) and getting rid of the layer(s) of fat that might be obscuring the definition (by eating clean and doing cardio).

As for "bulk," it's sometimes relative. What do YOU mean by bulky?

Some people see any visible muscle as "bulk." But to me, "bulking" really depends on your body type. A short, squat person with big bones would look "bulkier" after the same rotation done by a long-limbed, thin person.

Endomorphs (tend toward fat) would tend to look bulkier than ectomorphs (tend neither towards muscle or fat).

For example: That Tony dude on TV with the ponytail (I'd love to chop off!) would probably always look "bulky" because that's his body type. On the other hand, I can't imagine someone like Gwyneth Paltrow (can't think of a man right off) looking "bulky" from working out.