How effective are these workouts?

Stick to compound movements for core strength—think variations of squats, deadlifts, and so on—plus a few isolation moves (link). Your abs act as stabilizers alongside the erectors during those heavy compounds, while isolation work targets the spinal flexors, so hitting both bases is pretty much essential. Plus, those big compound lifts naturally engage a ton of other muscles that women usually obsess over, so you might as well kill two birds with one stone...

George Myers86 said:Honestly, I think these are actually better than P90X. You should give them a shot.

Susan Jackson12 said:I’m on the same page here, honestly. If you think the original is good, the AB Ripper from P90X2 actually takes things to a whole different level. I’ve also found that Catha Friedrich STS ABS gets the job done just as well if you're looking for something effective.

Thanks a bunch. 🙂

So, I did a little digging and I gotta admit... I think I might have bitten off more than I can chew here. P90X or Insanity? Yeah, absolutely not—not happening right now because my cardio is basically non-existent. I can barely make it up the stairs to my fourth-floor apartment without gasping for air. That’s why I was thinking maybe breaking things down into shorter bursts? Or maybe starting with just five minutes at a time and slowly ramping it up?

Anyway, I checked out those workouts by Jillian Michaels and Susan, and honestly... I'm not feeling Susan's leg workouts at all. They don't look slim to me. If you ask me, they look way too bulky—kind of like men's legs. Is that from overtraining, or does the specific routine dictate how you shape up? I really don't want to look like a bodybuilder; I just want to look toned...

I mean, my head is spinning from all this info flying around. You know, knee strain, spine issues, this one thing, that other thing, working out every day vs. every other day, eating two hours before versus right after... whether it actually works or not, breathing techniques... It’s a lot. Now I’m just standing here totally lost on what to even do.

Look, I’m ready to sweat, I just need someone to tell me where the hell to start. 🙂
Truth be told, I've never really worked out before, and for the last two years, my favorite "exercise" has mostly been sitting down... occasionally lying down, too. 🙈

Look, Susan, you're going to have a rough time with this one... maybe start with Jillian instead. Like, try the 30 Days Shred first.

Then you can figure out what's next after that...

Give this one a shot

http://www.menshealth.com/travel-cen...yweightWorkout

Does Susan have legs that are too muscular? What even is that?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKfWgnB4h38

Honestly, this is just more of that nonsense you hear from basically every girl walking into a gym only to stick strictly to the StairMaster, the stationary bike, and the treadmill. If you ask them why they won't touch a single weight, it’s always, "Oh, I don't want to get bulky." Right. Because we all know you can suddenly turn into a pro bodybuilder in two months just by picking up a five-pound dumbbell.

First off, you need to decide what your actual goal is. But I can tell you right now, you aren't going to see any real definition without legitimate training—which means you can forget about those "all-day workout split" routines where you barely even break a sweat. You should plan on hitting it at least three times a week for at least an hour per session.

Sophia Garcia81 said:Honestly, my head is spinning from all this information. Knee strain, spine issues, this and that, whether to work out every day or not, waiting two hours after eating, whether it actually works, breathing techniques... I don't even know what to do anymore.

...

Try heading to a local gym and ask about their women's group fitness classes. If those are too pricey, check some discount sites to see if anything catches your eye. It's much easier to stay motivated and push yourself when you're sweating it out with a group rather than being on your own. Even better, grab a friend and start together.
If you aren't feeling the group vibe, just listen to Kleica.

Hi there, I'm new here

I was wondering if anyone could offer some guidance for a woman who has absolutely zero experience with fitness or sports—basically starting from square one.
I wouldn't go so far as to say I'm overweight, but I am looking to drop maybe 7 or 8 pounds and really tone up, since I feel quite soft at the moment.

What would be the best way to approach this? Should I look into a specific program, or perhaps combine running with strength training, and how many days a week should I commit to for the best possible results?
😕

Sophia Garcia81 said:I did some digging and realized I might have bitten off more than I can chew. P90X or Insanity are totally out of the question right now because my fitness level is basically zero—I can barely make it up to the fourth floor. That’s why I was thinking about breaking things down into shorter chunks. Or maybe just starting with 5-minute sessions and slowly scaling up?

Anyway, looking at those Jillian Michaels and Susan programs... I’m really not feeling Susan’s leg look. They aren't slim at all. To my taste, they look a bit too masculine. Is that from overtraining, or does the specific workout dictate the shape? I don't want to look bulky, just toned.

Look, I'm ready to sweat, I just need someone to tell me where to start. 🙂
Total beginner here. For the last two years, my favorite positions have been sitting... and occasionally lying down. 🙈

There's no way you'll get bulky without a calorie surplus. Plus, Susan has a very low body fat percentage. Reaching that kind of look takes a massive amount of time and effort. Don't want visible muscles? Just hit a maintenance phase once you reach about 20% body fat and call it a day. And if you're soft and out of shape, you're likely classic "skinny fat"—there's no such thing as "toning" without losing fat and building muscle.

If you want to work out at home, you could try combining Jillian 30 Days with Jackie Warner's power circuit training. Honestly, it might be better to start with one of the low-impact programs from Cathe Friedrich; she has a whole series that covers both strength and pure cardio. Cathe can be intense, but you can always go lighter on the resistance. The upside to low-impact for beginners is that you're less likely to get hurt. If you're jumping around without control while being a bit softer, injuries happen easily.

You also have Catha Friedrich STS ABS from Cathe, which is great.

rustydriver said:So, you think Susan gives you legs that are too strong? Are you kidding me?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKfWgnB4h38

This is just more of the same nonsense... it's what almost every girl says when they head to the gym, only to spend their entire time on the stair climber, the stationary bike, or the treadmill. And if you actually ask them why they won't pick up a weight, it's always because they "don't want to get bulky." Honestly, right... because everyone knows you can just suddenly turn into a bodybuilder in two months using nothing but five-pound dumbbells...

I find this whole thing absolutely fascinating, I really do...🤣
I know so many women who think this way, acting like, "Oh my gosh, I'm going to end up looking like a pro wrestler!"😂
And no, absolutely not, but you simply cannot reason with them or explain the science behind why what they're tripping on is physically impossible...
"I'll get huge," they say. Yeah, sure, just by lifting a tiny little four-pound weight...🙄

Karen Adams2 said:Honestly, I find this fascinating...🤣
I know plenty of women who think exactly like that—like they’re just going to get huge overnight.😂
And no, absolutely not, but you can't explain logic to them; they're just tripping out over nothing.
They think they'll get buff using a five-pound dumbbell.🙄

You know how it is—if you touch a weight that isn't pink and weighs more than three pounds, you'll suddenly bulk up. You go to sleep normal and wake up looking like Arnie🤣

For anyone actually worried about "bulking up," take a look at what happens when women lift actual weights and how toned they get without getting "huge":
http://www.reddit.com/r/Fitness/comm...ifting_female/

I’m totally failing at the group thing, but honestly? The motivation is there—the will, the drive, the whole deal—I just had zero clue where to even start.
Thanks for everything, guys. I finally pulled the trigger on Jillian 30 Days. It’s quick, it’s daily, and best of all, I don’t have to sit there second-guessing if I loaded the right videos or if I'm actually doing the moves correctly... it just works. And, yeah, just to brag a little, I already started. 👋 I literally exhaled... like, for real. I had to take breaks constantly. Whatever, though—I’m sticking to level 1 until I can actually nail the movements properly.

I might check out some Jackie Warner too, and I was thinking about throwing in AB Ripper part 1 during the day... maybe some other combo you guys suggested, though I much prefer having a video to follow. Or is that too short? Is that just wasting my time according to you people?

Regarding the "bulking" thing—I didn't think I'd turn into a bodybuilder from a few workouts or messing with some dumbbells, but then I read something about those specific exercises meant to lengthen your muscles—or whatever they call them, I don't know—so I started wondering if certain moves could actually change your body shape.
Actually, scratch that, it’s not even about bodybuilding... I phrased that badly. Look at this leg http://www.gophoto.it/view.php?i=htt...f#.UNWGm6ziujZ—it’s not muscular or anything, but I’m just not feeling it.

And I *just* realized what BF actually stands for... now I’m confused because I used those measurements to calculate mine, and it probably isn't even right. I have no idea how anyone manages to calculate their actual body fat percentage accurately by themselves.

Keith Davis7 you should try this Jillian stuff too.

Susan Jackson12 the link isn't working for me.

Susan Jackson12 said:You know how it goes—if you accidentally touch a weight that isn't pink and weighs more than three pounds, you immediately start bulking up; you go to sleep normally and wake up looking like Arnold Schwarzenegger.🤣]

It is a myth that refuses to fade, remaining just as persistent today as it was years ago...

Whether we are talking about men or women, the fear of accidentally becoming too muscular or gaining excessive strength is quite similar to the fear of suddenly having too much money in your bank account.

The statistical likelihood of such an occurrence is so incredibly slim that the anxiety surrounding it simply isn't justified.😁

I could certainly empathize with someone worrying that they might put in all that grueling work only to see no muscle growth at all—but this reverse concern is something I find impossible to comprehend.

Sophia Garcia81 said:I wasn't really thinking about bodybuilding—like, I didn't expect to get huge just from a few exercises or some light weights. I just read something about specific workouts meant to create "lean, long muscles," and it made me wonder if exercise can actually change your physical shape.
It’s not even about building bulk; I phrased that poorly. Take my leg, for example http://www.gophoto.it/view.php?i=htt...f#.UNWGm6ziujZ. It's not muscular, I just don't like how it looks...

And I just realized what body fat percentage actually means. I have no idea how I calculated mine using those measurements online. It's probably wrong. Honestly, I have no clue how anyone calculates their actual body fat accurately on their own...

Keith Davis7 try doing the same thing with Jillian Michaels.

Susan Jackson12 I can't see anything at that link.

Click the link, then click the images in the first post.

Muscles can change size, but your overall shape is mostly genetic. You could do three hours of yoga or Pilates every single day, but you won't end up with that "long, lean" look if it isn't your natural build...

For body fat %, just use calipers to measure it.

Back at it again. 🙂

I'm currently grinding through >. I had to hang out on > for a bit longer than I planned—it was pretty brutal at first—but things are finally starting to click. And the sweating... 🙂 Honestly, yeah, it bugs me, but my stubbornness is officially stronger than my desire to stay dry. 🎉 I noticed some tiny changes right out of the gate, but nothing major yet. Fingers crossed it’s not just some "newbie luck" phase.
My knees also tend to act up a little after a workout, though they usually chill out after a while. Is that totally normal, or am I low-key messing up my form?

One more thing. I've dabbled in some yoga, and I realized the breathing isn't quite the same. This whole breathwork thing is still super confusing to me since > doesn't always explicitly say when to inhale or exhale. If anyone could give me a quick breakdown, that would be great.

I'm really digging >—the fact that I get a full-body burn in just thirty minutes is huge. It saves me from having to stress about whether I hit every muscle group, which I definitely wouldn't know how to balance on my own anyway. So, I just tack on whatever extra stuff I feel like doing. Now the big question is... what comes next?

Susan Jackson12 are the workouts by > based on the same principles? Also, if you happen to know, could you drop a link for her and > where I can download the routines? I haven't had any luck finding them.

rustydriver said:Wait, you think Susan has legs that are too strong? What?!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKfWgnB4h38

This is more of that nonsense you hear from pretty much every girl hitting the gym who just sticks to the StairMaster, stationary bikes, and treadmills. And when you ask why they won't touch a weight, it's always "because I don't want to get bulky." Right, because we all know you can turn into a bodybuilder in two months just by lifting 5 or 10 pound dumbbells. Yeah, okay.

First off, you gotta decide what you actually want for yourself. But I can tell you right now, you aren't going to "bulk up" without serious training (which means you can totally forget about those workouts where you just move through exercises all day without even breaking a sweat). You should plan on hitting it at least three times a week for at least an hour each time.

Honestly, Susan is clearly toned—not just her legs, but her thighs are definitely her strongest part. From my experience, you can totally get ab definition like just by doing standard crunches, you just have to put in some cardio work if you aren't already super lean.

Sophia Garcia81 said:Back again. 🙂

Susan Jackson12 Does Jackie Warner follow the same logic? If you know, could you send me links for her and Cathe Friedrich to download the workouts? I can't seem to find them.

Jackie doesn't have as much cardio as Jillian, but the strength training is better. Not sure about links; I just own the DVDs.

Regarding breathing, just Google the specific exercise and you'll find answers. Yoga is great for breathwork and flexibility, though you won't really lose weight from it. Jillian isn't exactly known for detailed instructions—Cathe is much better at that...

I'd suggest varying your routine more. Sticking to one level until it feels easy is just wasting time... the body adapts and progress stalls.

For knee issues, try adding more standing poses during yoga, especially balance work like tree pose or half moon. Focus on your alignment to strengthen those stabilizers and ease the pain. Also, watch your upper body posture during squats and lunges... that can mess with your knees too.

Rachel Torres said:Honestly, Susan is pretty toned all over. It’s not just her core; her legs are actually her strongest feature. In my experience, you can get abs like just by doing standard crunches, though you have to put in the cardio work if you aren't naturally thin

I don't see any ab definition in that photo of yours.

Also, I don't get why you'd call Susan "toned." She just has a really low body fat percentage, which makes the muscle visible. She doesn't have those skinny model legs, but she doesn't need them...

Rachel Torres said:Honestly, Susan is pretty toned all over. It’s not just her core; her legs are actually her strongest feature.From my experience, you can get abdominal definition just by doing standard crunches, like this http://i1244.photobucket.com/albums/...1-mdn.jpg, provided you put in enough work with cardio if you aren't naturally thin.

Total nonsense.

When will people finally realize that crunches don't burn fat off your stomach? Everywhere I look on these forums, I see posts like "I'm doing 500 to 600 crunches a day," yet they wonder why the belly fat isn't budging. How does that even make sense???!
To get visible abs, you need a low body fat percentage, not just a high volume of crunches.

And like they mentioned above, the person in this photo doesn't even have defined abs.

rustydriver said:When are people going to realize that crunches don't burn belly fat? Everywhere I look, it's the same thing: "I'm doing 500 or 600 sit-ups a day, so why isn't my stomach fat disappearing??" How does that even make sense?
If you want visible abs, you need a low body fat percentage, not just a bunch of standard crunches.

That comes from cardio—like running, swimming, or cycling—and a diet that cuts out junk food, sweets, and most processed baked goods.
For most people, that second part is the real struggle.😬