What to Do for Lean Muscle? Pls help

[slenamond]

I am in the middle of Hypertrophy and I really don't like it. I don't like lifting soooo heavy. I am a short 5'1" and, while I DO want to build muscle, I don't want "mass". You know what I mean???

I don't want my legs and arms to get bigger I want them to be defined but lean looking.

What kind of workout should I be doing?

I did the first phase of STS - Muscle Endurance and got results from that but I really started watching my calorie intake to at the same time so I am not really sure if BOTH things were the magic or just the one.

What should I do to get lean longer looking muscles?

Thanks in advance.
Sharon

 

[sherim]

I wish someone would reply to this. I am also looking to build lean muscle. I have been doing two days of cardio one day of circuit and two day of total body weights.

 

[hriacobacci]

I am no expert, but a huge factor is cardio. I have been doing Cathe's workouts for over 2 years and am doing STS right now. I have major definition, but not bulk like you'd expect. I'm short as well so it is a concern. I danced for over 20 years and my legs were much much bigger then than doing Cathe's weights. Before STS I was doing each muscle group 3 times a week and cardio 6 days. Heavier weights doesn't = bigger muscles necessarily. I think if all you want is "toned" then high rep, low weight may be more of what you're after, but I don't think you'll get the same "cut" results. Those were the types of weight programs I was doing before Cathe's weight DVDs.

Also, don't just do all high- or low-intensity cardio. Each one burns differently (more calories or more fat). I'm sure there is more information than you could ever dream of if you search the web and I'm sure there are some folks here that are better equipped at giving advice. This has just been my experience. Ok, rambled enough and probably with no solid advice

Heather