Weightlifting
 

Sure, I can google and I will. Personal trainer? At some point, maybe. I took weightlifting in high school but do you really think I paid attention? Nah. At the gym right now, I'm planning on doing a full body workout once or twice a week to build muscle then doing my own stuff at home. No idea what I am doing. Just blindly going for all the machines I come across.

I am curious about how much weight to use, when to increase weight, how many sets/reps, when to incorporate cardio, etc. Looking to really tone up arms and grow booty. My quads bulk up fast so I don't want to get them all ripped just the butt.

Any advice? Workouts would be appreciated too!

I think its good to start on the machines because they hold you in position, but after a month or so start using more free weights. Go on u-tube to get workouts for any part of the body - and there are instructional videos for any particular exercise.

Oh yea... almost forgot. Diet is important too.

If you want to build up your arms and back and glutes, do pushups and squats. Those form the major part of my workout every day and not to brag or anything, but for a 61 year old woman, I have great arms. And the squats, well if you try for 20 the first day and really feel them the next, then you know you've found an exercise that will do you a world of good in the short and long run. All maybe in the short run after the pain ceases ;-)

I've also read recently that cardio is just not that great for your body. Depending on how hard you push it, it actually releases free radicals into your system and free radicals are super for aging you. Mind you, maybe if you really upped your consumption of antioxidants like blueberries, etc., maybe that would counteract that problem. Anyway my guess is that 'aging' isn't what you want right so don't take my word for it on that specifically, perhaps Googling 'cardio exercise free radicals' will give you more information.

A good rule of thumb is less weight and more reps for muscle tone, more weight and fewer reps to build muscle. Start with what you think you can lift, then adjust it up or down as necessary. Once you've established a routine, when you get to the point where it seems relatively easy to lift, bump up the weight. Don't forget to stretch between sets.

Sweet :) Thanks, yo! I remember you talking about going to the gym in chat.

Good info. Thank you much!

That is great about you keeping fit at 61. I hope that I have the same drive. My arms are pretty flabby. Be my boot camp drill Sargent lol

I really tore my booty cheeks up yesterday at the gym lol. Squats, bench lunges with weights, more squats with weight, etc etc

It's been a few weeks of working on it and can already see some good change!

Cool, thanks!

It looks like I will only have 1 day a week to full body weight lift at the gym.
Do you think as long as I am doing toning with smaller bar bells and my own body weight that this will still be productive? Or should I be lifting 2 or 3 times a week?

Increase at a gradual pace
And don't follow no pain no gain

If you are hurting yourself
Then you are hurting yourself

Warm up before hand
Stretch afterword

The post workout stretch is very important

Any good stretching instructions?