What no one ever tells you about getting a toned body

How many new years have passed and you still have one resolution left in your bucket list, related to work out or losing weight? I think everyone has gone through that at least once; those who already acquired the habit of exercising realized that being skinny is not a synonym of having a strong toned body. If you really want to accomplish a dreamed toned body, it is going to take you more effort, discipline, and constancy. Here are some facts that will surprise you and might encourage you to reach that goal, as you develop healthy habits in your life.

Men Vs. Women

Did you know that the fact of being a man or a woman influences directly in the amount of fat you burn? And in the results, you get after training? Have you ever wondered why men seem stronger than women? And have more muscle mass?  Well, it is because human anatomy is designed to be that way. In case you are a woman, do not worry, we have our thing too!

What does anatomically mean to be a man?

• It means that you have twice as much muscle as a woman
• It means that you are 8% bigger, 10% heavier and 7% taller than a woman
• It means that you have half of the corporal fat and fewer hormones than a woman

Then, what does anatomically mean to be a woman?

• It means that you are 10% more flexible than men
• It means that you have more joint mobility
• It means that you have higher pain resistance than men

Men and women are and function different, neither one is less than the other; a woman’s body is designed for pregnancy and lactation; while man’s body is designed for hunting and battle. That is the reason why women tend to have cellulitis, gain weight easily and struggle with losing it, all these thanks to hormones. Indeed women’s hormones turn lives upside down and natural cycles like menstruation and menopause carry emotional changes too. No worries, all this is part of being human; learning how to deal with it and make it work are the key factors here, including advantages and disadvantages.

With that clarified, let’s talk about how to tone up your body, regardless of whether you are male or female. First, let’s think what for, you want to tone your body because depending on that, you can choose between different types of exercises. Today we will be comparing two types: lifting weights and Pilates.

Why training with weights?

If you are men, lifting weights, especially heavyweight, gets your muscles bigger; but if you are women this exercise is perfect for getting rid of sagging. The reason why the results are different is due to testosterone levels.

If we are talking about the core or belly area, it is not possible to burn fat only with doing abs, because lifting weights helps to strengthen muscles, not removing calories. It is important to keep in mind that fat cells do not disappear, they just get smaller, then by lifting weights, you tone up, stylizing your body. If your goal is losing weight, cardio exercises are needed, and you can combine both. Now, if your passion is dancing or your dream body is lean tone elongated muscles, you better try the other method: Pilates!

Why doing Pilates?

Pilates discipline is an excellent option when you want to tone up your muscles but end up with an elongated shape. Why is this? because Pilates works strength and at the same time flexibility, not only of your muscles but also of your joints. Pilates defines and reaffirms muscles, mainly your core; as well as it helps to elevate your glutes and to strengthen your arms and legs. There are two types of Pilates exercises: “Mat-based”, that uses gravity and your own bodyweight to provide resistance and ”Pilates in Apparatus”: reformer, cadillac, chair, and barrel, that uses springs’ resistance, this is similar to the elastic bands’ resistance.  Whichever you prefer will help you getting core strength, muscle control, good posture, and flexibility.

If you don’t want to give it a try because you think you don’t sweat as much as in other sports, let me tell you that with one Pilates class you can burn 450 calories, the key is to do the exercises with a correct technique, from breathing to posture to execution of movements.

Now with this StepFlix Pilates class, you can start doing Pilates, as a part of your weight loss program, toning up your body, increasing range of motion, improving flexibility and posture, as well as learning to work with your breathing and getting endurance.

 

“If your spine is inflexibly stiff at 30, you are old. If it is completely flexible at 60, you are young” -Joseph Pilates