how to get legs toned? (muscle, gym, treadmill, leg press)

[fresnochick]

Ok, so i have been reading alot of these posts, and it seems like there are some hard core exercise people on this forum, so maybe some of you can give me some advice.

Here's my situation, i'm not a big fan of working out, i have a gym membership but never go.

I am 5'5 and 135, recently had a breast lift and due to have a tummy-tuck next week, so now i'm thinking ok, my body is looking the way i want it to, and now i want to tone up my legs.

And been adviced by my plastic surgeon not to do any kind of running as this will reverse all the work he did on my breast, in other words they will droop again.

So i want to buy a machine for home to work on my legs, any thoughts on whether a stationary bike or an elliptical machine would be good? I would think that an elliptical machine would also be good for the glutes, is that correct? Or is there any other thoughts on toning ones legs?
thanx

[DaBeez]

If you want to tone your legs you need to lift weights. No other method will be as effective and really.....no other method will actually work. You really need to lift. At 5' 5" and 135lbs you are in pretty good shape, but I want say anything about the work youre having done as it is your choice, but there are thousands of women out there who would gladly trade bodies with you.

Squats, leg extensions, leg curls, stiff legged dead lifts. Do 2-3 sets of each exercise twice per week (3 times per week when you get used to it) and do only 6-8 reps per set. Make sure you use heavy enough weight that you cannot do 9 reps. If you can do 8 reps easily, then you need to add more weight.

[fresnochick]

thanx for the info.
And yes i know what you are saying about being in shape, i do think i'm in good shape, the work i'm having done is more for my personal gratification. I'm 40 and this my way of maintaining my somewhat youth i have left. There are things that no matter how much exercise one does it does nothing for you, having had two kids and extreme weight gain with them you end up with stretchy skin and exercise does not help........believe me i've tried.

i used to do alot of squats and they work great on the glutes and will start doing them again but i do want to buy a machine for home to exercise, and i was hoping that an elliptical would be a good choice to have.

[veuvegirl]

You don't even need a machine for working out at home, just a few free weights and a band. There are SO many exercises you can do to help and tone your legs. For cardio, go running or walking outside, jump rope, or run and up and down your stairs.

[yankeegirl313]

My ex put me on a workout program once for my legs, and it worked!
I got on the skier for 20 min. 3 x a week. did the leg extensions, squats, and walking.

[calif]

The ellipitical is a great machine for what you are looking for. You could also do the treadmill at a high incline at a fast paced walk. Or walk hills around where you live.

[TwiloMike]

Originally Posted by fresnochick

Ok, so i have been reading alot of these posts, and it seems like there are some hard core exercise people on this forum, so maybe some of you can give me some advice.

Here's my situation, i'm not a big fan of working out, i have a gym membership but never go.

I am 5'5 and 135, recently had a breast lift and due to have a tummy-tuck next week, so now i'm thinking ok, my body is looking the way i want it to, and now i want to tone up my legs.

And been adviced by my plastic surgeon not to do any kind of running as this will reverse all the work he did on my breast, in other words they will droop again.

So i want to buy a machine for home to work on my legs, any thoughts on whether a stationary bike or an elliptical machine would be good? I would think that an elliptical machine would also be good for the glutes, is that correct? Or is there any other thoughts on toning ones legs?
thanx

Incorrect. To "tone" your legs you will have to:

1- Build muscle which will give your legs shape.
2- Drop fat which will expose the muscle and the shape you want.

Cardio will not do this for you. Squats, deadlifts, lunges, hyperextensions, etc., will. Since you have the gym membership, use it. This is the only thing us "hard core exercise people" can advise you. There are no shortcuts to this.

[TwiloMike]

Originally Posted by fresnochick

thanx for the info.
And yes i know what you are saying about being in shape, i do think i'm in good shape, the work i'm having done is more for my personal gratification. I'm 40 and this my way of maintaining my somewhat youth i have left. There are things that no matter how much exercise one does it does nothing for you, having had two kids and extreme weight gain with them you end up with stretchy skin and exercise does not help........believe me i've tried.

i used to do alot of squats and they work great on the glutes and will start doing them again but i do want to buy a machine for home to exercise, and i was hoping that an elliptical would be a good choice to have.

You're better off buying adjustable dumbbells so you can do lunges, deadlifts, and overhead squats at home. That will hit your legs far better.

[Azmordean]

Originally Posted by TwiloMike

Incorrect. To "tone" your legs you will have to:

1- Build muscle which will give your legs shape.
2- Drop fat which will expose the muscle and the shape you want.

Cardio will not do this for you. Squats, deadlifts, lunges, hyperextensions, etc., will. Since you have the gym membership, use it. This is the only thing us "hard core exercise people" can advise you. There are no shortcuts to this.

I agree with this.. mostly. Everyone thinks "muscle tone" is some magical thing, but as Twilo says, its not. A phrase I am fond of is this - "tone is simply the presence of muscle in the absence of fat." Both conditions must be met. You can have 7.5% bodyfat, and if you have little lean body mass, you won't be toned. You can squat 600lbs, but if you have 30% bodyfat, you also won't be toned.

With that out of the way, there IS a cardio activity I am going to recommend to you, and it WILL help your legs. And that is cycling. It sounds like an ideal activity for you - it won't bounce your chest and undo what the doctor has done, its low impact, its great exercise aerobically, and it WILL work your legs, especially if you hit some hills .

I would also recommend work in the weight room, as Twilo and DaBeez have suggested. But, I would not suggest only working legs. I think you should lift for full body. Its good for you and it will build bone density - another huge plus. The routine DaBeez has mentioned will surely blast your legs, and if you were going into bodybuilding it would be a great choice, but to me it seems to be more than is probably necessary for you. If I were you I might try a full body lifting workout twice a week, or lift 3x a week, and switch off upper/lower. The leg exercises DaBeez mentioned are all good ones. Note that if your knees don't like squats, the leg press (the kind you add free weight to) is a good, if imperfect alternative.

Good luck!

[CosmicWizard]

TwiloMike wrote:

Incorrect. To "tone" your legs you will have to:

1- Build muscle which will give your legs shape.
2- Drop fat which will expose the muscle and the shape you want.

Cardio will not do this for you. Squats, deadlifts, lunges, hyperextensions, etc., will. Since you have the gym membership, use it. This is the only thing us "hard core exercise people" can advise you. There are no shortcuts to this.

ABSOLOTELY! You hit the nail on the head. Right on the money.