“Tone Up” Is Not What You Think
By Gus
We hear it all the time: “I want to tone up.” It’s one of the most common reasons people join a gym. But what does “tone up” really mean?
Many people associate “toning” with losing weight and getting leaner. That can be a part of the process, but it’s not the whole story. True toning is about building muscle. The word “tone” itself derives from the Greek word tonos meaning “stretched” or “tightened.” The idea is that your muscle will appear tighter, like flexing, even while the body is relaxed.
So if we’re making muscle appear toned, consider this: you can’t “tone” what’s not there! To see definition and shape, you need to have muscle underneath. That’s why the most effective way to “tone up” is actually to get stronger. If you focus solely on losing weight, you could very successful but actually look more sickly than toned.
The recipe for getting tone is surprising:
- The scale isn’t the best coach. As you build muscle, you might not see a dramatic drop in weight. In fact, the number on the scale might even go up a little. But don’t panic – if you’re gained weight is more muscle than fat, even at the same/more weight you can appear more toned. Friends may even ask if you’ve lost weight not understanding this dynamic; they just know you look better.
- Strength training is key. Forget endless hours of cardio and lots of reps with tiny weights. Getting stronger with big weights can predictably build muscle. It takes a long time and lot of work before that muscle will look bulky, but looking toned can happen much sooner.
- Nutrition matters. While gaining muscle, you will need to recover. This often means your body insists on eating more. But we’re wanting to get leaner! So that more food needs to be made up of more protein than usual. That’s the stuff your muscles will use to grow most people are not eating enough protein to drive a change.
- Follow the program not the goal. It’s fine to decide you want to tone up. But once you make your plan, it doesn’t help to stress out about the goal anymore. Focus on the day to day habits. Get your reps in at the gym even when it’s inconvenient. Stay consistent with your nutrition needs even on the weekends. Compliance with your program is what will get you results.
Ready to ditch the “tone up” confusion and embrace a stronger, healthier you?
Schedule a free introductory session with one of our expert coaches today. We’ll help you develop a personalized plan to achieve your fitness goals, whether it’s building muscle, gaining strength, or simply feeling your best.
