A few exercises I could use...?

[Danny2007]

Well I've lost as much weight as I needed to and was just wondering a few exercises I could use in order to tone up a few areas.

1. Stomach
2. Love handles (I cringe saying the word... eek)
3 Chest area.

Im a pretty slim guy (thanks to the atkins =) and need a few ideas on how to tone up those area. Not a huge amount of work needs doing, Just needs a little work.

Thanks in advance. =)

[cgdat136]

Re: A few exercises I could use...?

1 - crunches. 2 - more crunches. 3 - pushups.

[julirama723]

Re: A few exercises I could use...?

Basic strength training (a fancy word for lifting weights) will tone your whole body, even your abs. When using free weights (as opposed to a machine), you're using your core muscles to stabilize yourself. Adding core work to this (and not just crunches--you'll want to target upper/middle abs, lower abs, obliques, and BACK muscles, it's important to be balanced) will help define your shape.

If you don't want to use equipment, pushups are the best upper body exercise you can get, and you can do many variations of the basic military style pushup. By moving your hands close together (and forming a triangle with thumbs and fingers) you will work your triceps, by keeping elbows in you will work your back more.

Here is a great site to help you get started with exercises:
http://www.shapefit.com/training.html#7

Some other GREAT alternatives for core work are pilates and yoga. Pilates focuses on your core, but also works your lower body. There are many forms of yoga out there, so you'd want to look for power yoga, yoga for strength, strength-building yoga, something like that. It is possible to get a total-body workout doing yoga. There are many poses that require you to hold and balance your entire body weight. Yoga can do AMAZING things for your body, as well as your mind and spirit.

It's always best to begin your yoga practice under the guidance of a trained instructor, but there are many great DVDs out there you can use, too. Check out Shiva Rea and Rodney Yee, they are two of my favorites.

Until then, here's a link that shows many of the basic poses:
http://www.abc-of-yoga.com/yogapractice/postures.asp

[ValidRouge]

Re: A few exercises I could use...?

I 110% agree with what Julie said. Strength training will change the shape of your body. You can do it with free weights or with your own body weight. Yoga uses your body weight to do strength training, very controlled slow motion. It also incorporates stretching that most of us (or maybe it *is* just me) don't do on a regular basis, but is SO SO SO important.

I was a snob and turned my nose up at yoga for the longest time. A coworker challenged me to come to her class and boy did I get an eye opener. One of her yoga classes can make my knees sweat! And you need some serious upper body strength to do some of those poses!!! Yet, at the same time, after a yoga class I feel better than if I'd gone and had a massage. You just can't get any better than that.