Cathe:
A male friend and I have been having a friendly argument about the best way to train. He is presently performing 20 minutes of cardio, 3/5 times per week mornings, with intense gym workouts 3-4x per week utilizing the "maximum one rep" style of lifting.
He tends to pooh pooh my workouts, which consist of your strength/weight workouts at least twice per week (sometimes prefaced by 20-30 min. of cardio), Firm total body workouts twice a week and cardio twice a week (either running or a cardio workout ... sorry I don't have the coordination for your step workouts). I have consistently upped my poundage throughout the years, as well as varying the styles (i.e. the pyramids, slow & heavy, light & fast, etc.) continuously. Occasionally I will substitute a yoga/stretching style workout for cardio. At one point I was going to the gym twice a week and going much heavier on traditional weight work (for example: 220 lbs. on a machine-assisted squat). I went for about 6 weeks before quitting, both due to personal stresses and the fact that lifting heavier appeared to be "leaning me out" - I was appearing slimmer when what I wanted was greater definition.
So, is either of us right? My goal is to have the physique close to a beginner level female bodybuilder .... just generally more "cut" yet not to the point of looking masculine (I think Jay's figure comes closest to what is achievable for my body type) My diet is overall quite healthy. I do consume quite a bit of protein because I find it aids me in lifting heavier. Do I need to go back to the gym? Thanks for any suggestions - and THANKS for your superb weight workouts -- they've improved my strength & endurance immensely!
Pam
A male friend and I have been having a friendly argument about the best way to train. He is presently performing 20 minutes of cardio, 3/5 times per week mornings, with intense gym workouts 3-4x per week utilizing the "maximum one rep" style of lifting.
He tends to pooh pooh my workouts, which consist of your strength/weight workouts at least twice per week (sometimes prefaced by 20-30 min. of cardio), Firm total body workouts twice a week and cardio twice a week (either running or a cardio workout ... sorry I don't have the coordination for your step workouts). I have consistently upped my poundage throughout the years, as well as varying the styles (i.e. the pyramids, slow & heavy, light & fast, etc.) continuously. Occasionally I will substitute a yoga/stretching style workout for cardio. At one point I was going to the gym twice a week and going much heavier on traditional weight work (for example: 220 lbs. on a machine-assisted squat). I went for about 6 weeks before quitting, both due to personal stresses and the fact that lifting heavier appeared to be "leaning me out" - I was appearing slimmer when what I wanted was greater definition.
So, is either of us right? My goal is to have the physique close to a beginner level female bodybuilder .... just generally more "cut" yet not to the point of looking masculine (I think Jay's figure comes closest to what is achievable for my body type) My diet is overall quite healthy. I do consume quite a bit of protein because I find it aids me in lifting heavier. Do I need to go back to the gym? Thanks for any suggestions - and THANKS for your superb weight workouts -- they've improved my strength & endurance immensely!
Pam