Muscle efficiency?Gym w/o necessary?

[MichiganMom]

Hi Cathe!
Quickly, let me extend my best wishes for you and your family as you anticipate your new bundle of joy! I hope all is going well!

I do have a quick question also.
I was just wondering whether or not it is possible to achieve the cuts/definition which you and the other ladies in your videos have, using only free weights. I subscribe to a couple fitness magazines and they always list routines with gym exercises.
I have slimmed down quite a bit and have more definition than any other time in my life, but now I to the dreaded *last 7 pounds* and the tweaking of my muscles. You know, build this, shrink that! And I was just wondering, although I change up routines a lot, ie. 6 weeks of S&H, now a 2 week Max rotation, followed by a 4 week PS schedule, are my muscles going to get too used to the free weight exercises, regardless of order and variety? Or is that the whole point of why you've given us so many great options... to avoid plateauing?
I realize the importance of cross training and think I do a fair job of it. I have a bad knee and cannot run or bike, but I alternate Tae Bo with all your cardio tapes. I also ride horses and work a couple days at the barn.
I was just wondering whether or not it's enough variety to reach the results I want,esp. with the weight training.
Thanks so much for your help and advice!
Becky

 

[Aquajock]

RE: Gyms definitely NOT necessary . . .

Hi, MichiganMom! I'm certainly not Cathe, and I too look forward to her answer to your question, but personally, I rely exclusively on free weights (dumbbells and barbells) and I can state that you can totally change your physique with these alone. You do NOT have to have gym equipment (cable machines etc.) to achieve this. In fact, more than a few strength training professionals state that free weights are superior to strengthening machines in terms of the benefits. Plus, free weights are a lot cheaper and a ton more versatile than machines.

Just my $.02 . . .

Annette

 

[MichiganMom]

RE: Gyms definitely NOT necessary . . .

Annette~
Thanks so much for the reply!
I'm so happy to hear gym workouts aren't necessary.
I've been getting great results and I am by no means bored or finding Cathe's workouts easy, just wondering whether I was setting myself up for disappointment without using fancy, high tech (read:expensive!) equipment!
I know nutrition will be 90% of my battle to *lean out*. So, I'm glad to hear that at least I'm on the right track with my workouts!
Thank you again!
Becky

 

[Cathe Friedrich]

Hi Becky! Yes, you can get very cut from free weights alone. Unfortunately, the closer you get to your goals the slower the progress comes. Be sure your diet is VERY clean. That is so important in getting those cuts to come out (just what you want to hear before the holidays right, ;-)) Good luck!

 

[MichiganMom]

Cathe~
Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my question!
I was afraid you were going to combine those two dreaded words...
clean and eating! Ugh! And you're right....what timing!
Thank you also for the point made that as I'm getting closer to goal, results slow down. I've been getting so frustrated and fighting the urge to slip back into old patterns because things aren't changing as quickly as they were. I guess it's always the *details* that do take time. I'm glad you reminded me of that!
Have a great weekend and thanks again for the advice. Your workouts have not only changed my body, they've changed my life! You're awesome!
Becky