Gym vs. home workouts

[Pambie37]

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

 

[FitnessGoddess]

Hey Pam,

Your friend is a knucklehead that doesn't know what he is talking about if he is pooh-poohing your workouts! The way to get him to stop is to challenge him to a little Power Hour or Muscle Endurance workout. He won't make it, guaranteed!

In order to get the physique you are looking for, you are going to have to lean out. A body builder has very little body fat. Usually, these ladies are at a level of body fat that is unhealthy to maintain for extended periods of time.

I believe that you can achieve your goals using Cathe's tapes. I have seen incredible changes in my own body using themhttp://www.fitnessvideofanatics.com/inspirations/FitnessGoddess.slim . There is a woman who posts occassionally that came in 2nd in a competition using only Cathe videos to train, Amyfit30. http://www.fitnessvideofanatics.com/inspirations/AmyFit.slim

I, too, hope to have a figure like Jai or even Brenda from the videos. Good luck in your endeavor!

 

[Aquajock]

I agree with Deborah that your friend is a knucklehead for thinking that the only "true" way to train is his way. Unfortunately, the exercising population is rife with people who act like that: that they are the only ones who know what to do and how to do it. According to my ACE textbook for personal trainers, there are at least 87 recognized training methods for building strength and mass as well as leaning out. One way does not work for everyone.

If you find Cathe's workouts superb (no surprises), and if they are effective for you in getting toward your goals, then stick with them. IMHO you do not need to go to a gym to get a bodybuilder physique. I also agree with Deborah that the "cut" look is partly a function of leaning out and decreasing storage fat mass . . . within health limits. You don't want to be underfat.

Just my $.02 -

a-jock

 

[Pambie37]

Thank you SO much for your responses! I have this tendency to go with what works for me - i.e. Cathe and the Firm - rather than doing a lot of reading (I figure they are the experts & I'm blessed to have found them), so when he says that I am not lifting heavy enough, etc., well I tend to listen merely because he trained in sports medicine & is constantly researching fitness. But hey, he is researching what will work for HIM, and women - even women bodybuilders - train differently and have different needs.

The truth is I am a little TOO lean right now. I'm upping my protein & starting a major Cathe rotation next week (AND just gave up smoking!) so look to see even more results.

Can't wait to see the fitness competitor who trains only using Cathe - I'm checking it out now!

Great workouts everyone!

Pambie
>Hey Pam,
>
>Your friend is a knucklehead that doesn't know what he is
>talking about if he is pooh-poohing your workouts! The way to
>get him to stop is to challenge him to a little Power Hour or
>Muscle Endurance workout. He won't make it, guaranteed!
>
>In order to get the physique you are looking for, you are
>going to have to lean out. A body builder has very little
>body fat. Usually, these ladies are at a level of body fat
>that is unhealthy to maintain for extended periods of time.
>
>I believe that you can achieve your goals using Cathe's tapes.
> I have seen incredible changes in my own body using
>themhttp://www.fitnessvideofanatics.com/inspirations/FitnessGoddess.slim
>. There is a woman who posts occassionally that came in 2nd
>in a competition using only Cathe videos to train, Amyfit30.
>http://www.fitnessvideofanatics.com/inspirations/AmyFit.slim
>
>I, too, hope to have a figure like Jai or even Brenda from the
>videos. Good luck in your endeavor!

 

[fitnfirm8121]

Not everyone who uses Cathe's workouts are going to look like bodybuilders unless they are lifting some serious heavy weights, right?

 

[Fitstick]

I dont think anyone who works out for about 1 - 1 1/2 hours a day is going to get the physique of a bodybuilder-- but you are going to get toned and be healthier than the average person.

Bodybuilders train hard before their competitions (hours a day) and have extreme diets. They do not continue this throughout the year because it is just not feasible, only before a competition.

So if you are not going to be competing and have the goal of general fitness and well-being, dont be thinking that you have to look like a bodybuilder, because you wont.