by Anonymous
(San Antonio, Tx)
I really want to tone every part of my body. Legs, butts, stomach, everything. Would it be too much to do each of your specified workouts for each area at a time?
I mean the sections like "Slender Leg", "Firm Chest" and "Tight Butt". Can I do all of these in one workout session? If so, is there any specific order I should do them in? And should I do a full cardio beforehand?
I also noticed that in your cardio routine you had a warm up and cool down and you also recommended doing a cool down/stretching after the toning. Do I need to warm up and cool down for cardio and then cool down again after toning?
My Answer
Lots of people have misconception about spot training. I want to clarify here that it is OK to spot train but be clear about this, it doesn't help you to "spot reduce" fat/weight in a specific area of your body.
Let's say you spot train your tummy. What the training does is this - it strengthens your tummy and helps build lean muscle mass there. As lean muscle mass burns off fat faster, it burns off the fat from your entire body, not just the fat from your tummy.
For a start, you might want to "spot train" the most "troubled" parts of your body - could be your thighs, legs, tummy and so on.
After a period of training of say 2 months (or until your "troubled areas" muscle strengthens, i.e. it becomes tauter and compacter), then may be you can start to work out the whole body program, to sort of "even out" the curves in your entire body - the result would be you having a well-proportionate and a well-balanced body.
As for the order of doing the whole body program i.e. which muscle group you should do first, second, third and so on.....I've featured the order in my page here , which you can take a look at.
Yes, it's best to do cardio exercise first, then only "spot training" or "whole body toning". The cardio exercise serves as a pre-warm routine for your "spot training" or "whole body toning". You don't need to warm up again as your body is still warm from the cardio exercise you've done.
You'll find that your muscles are in better shape to receive and absorb the impact of subsequent toning exercises put on them.
Do a final cool down after your toning program.
I've always emphasized the importance of warm up and cool down in any exercise program. They are a must because they prevent you suffering from unnecessary pains, injuries, cramps and what nots.