Wobbley thighs and hips.....

Michala_B

Hi

Can anyone help me please!

I have been a member of my local gym for a while now and in the last six months have decided to up my game in a bid to increase fitness and tone up. I don't want to lose weight as such as I am 9.5 stone and happy with that, although if a few pounds did drop off I wouldn't mind!!

I go to the gym definitely 2 times a week, and 3 if I can make it, my routine at the gym is jogging on treadmill for between 30 and 40 mins at a speed of 8.8 km per hour (assuming its km per hour, doesn't say anywhere on treadmill what measure it uses), then 20 mins on arc strider and then 15 mins on cross trainer on level 4. I vary the order I do these three things as it depends on which machines are free etc. Then after cardio I do weights, not free weights as they are in the "boys" bit and I hate going in there! So I use the machines which I assume take a lot of the resistance/weight for you. Anyway, roughly I do 3 sets of 20 on the leg press on 45kg, 3 to 4 sets of the adductor and abductor (the inny and outer thigh thingy) on a weight of 60 to 70kg depending which machine, then I do leg raises (for the top of thigh), three sets of ten on about 20/25kg and then abdominal exercises using the side to side twisty machine (I've forgotten the name) and the abdominal chair machine both on a weight of about 35 kg.

Whilst I have seen improvements in my general fitness I'm struggling to tone up my thighs and have wobbly inner thighs and wobbly hips- the dreaded "muffin top". And the day after my workout I don't feel like I've done anything. I don't want to be in pain, but a few aches would be nice so I know I'm doing some good!! Can anyone advise me please? I thought by jogging and upping my cardio that the wobbly bits would reduce and the weights would then tone the muscle underneath. It feels like I have muscle under a layer of fat - in fact the is the best way to describe it as my legs are strong but not lean or defined due to the fatty layer!! Is it just a case of persevering with my routine and that the results are taking longer than I would like? I do do basic legs and tummy exercises on my non gym days at home.

The one thing I don't want to happen though, is for my thighs to bulk up. I'm wanting the lean, toned look!

Once I have sorted my wobbly thighs I'd like to work on my arms and upper body so if anyone has any advice on them that would be great - just general exercises to do to tone up my arms and avoid bingo wings!

Thank you all in advance

Michala

littleredhen

the gym I used to go to could do a programme for me for particular bits i wanted to tone - does your gym not offer that?

Michala_B

littleredhen wrote: »

the gym I used to go to could do a programme for me for particular bits i wanted to tone - does your gym not offer that?

Hi,

Yes my gym does offer a personal trainer/programme sessions. I have had them in the past with a personal trainer who didnt listen to what I wanted to focus on! I think I may try book in with a different trainer and see if that gets me anywhere.

Thanks
Michala

Meadows

When I used to go to the Gym I would spend 30 minutes on the rowing machine 3 - 4 times a week, that trims, tightens and tones all of the body (arms, stomach and all of the legs).
You can start this at around ten minutes and increase to 30, or do the whole 30. You can adjust the tension so you get a less hard work out and take music so you can switch of and row for England.

thor

If you want toned thighs you can't go much wrong finding a moderately steep incline and running up it. On one of my normal running routes there are a couple of mile long hills and it always kills my thighs when I go up them. My rock hard thighs are worth the effort though.

cleggy.

Michala_B wrote: »

It feels like I have muscle under a layer of fat

You do. We all do. If your legs are not as defined as you would like then you may well need to lose some fat to achieve it.

surfsister

well my legs are very toned now - i do zumba twice a week mostly on the feet - bok wa once and the stepper. these are the extras which have toned me up and not really that hard. zumba is fun so you don't notice the hard work!! also incline on treadmill.

o'h and I've taken up walking with a group great for legs and we stop at a pub/cafe for lunch!!!

cleggy.

surfsister wrote: »

well my legs are very toned now -

Perhaps you could post a photo and let's have a look.

MasterPoo

Can I add my own 2 cents worth!

Cardio will do minimal to tone you up! Having used and currently using personal trainers and i have go up and down in weight over the years but I can attest to the fact that weights/resistance training will NOT bulk you up but WILL tone you. It's a misconception that most people have when they see female body builders they assume ALL women who weight train get big/bulk up, people need to remember that unlike men we do not produce testosterone which combined with other drugs bulk the female body builders.

Free weights are ideal as they don't work JUST the specified area like the machines do, the free weights actually require you to engage different muscles, so end up killing two birds with one stone.

I personally don't believe a person can only loose weight in ONE area, weight will come off OVERALL, just the way you put it on in the first place! So to loose that beer belly, one would have to train everything, including core and eventually the belly will decrease! Take for instance people who go from normal weight to 30 stone, they then loose the weight through diet and a bit of exercising, but if they were to incorporate strength training there wouldn't be as much loose skin or "sagginess"!!!

Why not invest £100/200 in getting a personal trainer for lets say a month, who will show you How you can optimise your gym sessions AND tone??? Even if you buy just 3 sessions of him/her?? Seek advice from a professional so you don't injure yourself, they will help you maximise your time in gym....do research, google is your friend!

Good luck!

surfsister

cleggy. wrote: »

Perhaps you could post a photo and let's have a look.

lol! now there's an invitation!!

cleggy.

surfsister wrote: »

lol! now there's an invitation!!

No point in doing all that hard work if nobody sees them.

Lets have look and see what you mean by toned.