View Full Version : Tone, bulk or both?
4MeNFamily
03-02-2011, 03:49 PM
I got this iPhone ap about 6 weeks ago that is a flexible workout plan that gets you to 100 straight pushups. I'm almost there. I'm a little confused though about working out that gets you toned (implying high reps/low resistance) versus bulking/growth.
While I am doing the high reps, I get to a point of failure and quite frankly feel the muscle...not sure of the correct term...muscle "damage" in my pecs. There are several sets where I get to failure.
My reps have gone up (I failed at 96 today...you'd think I could have done 100 but nope). But, at the same time I KNOW I'm stronger and harder. My seated machine flyes used to be at ~100# for 10 reps and now they are at 150#.
So the question is, do high reps NECESSARILY conflict with strength/bulking if you go to failure or near failure consistantly? I'm not a noob, but neither an expert clearly.
*STEVE*
03-02-2011, 04:05 PM
first :)
-=FLEX=-
03-02-2011, 04:41 PM
T O N E ......................................
T O N E :)
-=FLEX=-
asddf
NYkarate
03-02-2011, 05:24 PM
There really is no such thing as "toning" your muscles in that sense. Low or high muscle tone are medical conditions and really the only proper usage for the word. Exercise can really only make your muscles bigger through hypertrophy or with the help of diet cut fat so you appear more cut. The phrase "Toning muscles" is nothing more than marketing hype for fitness products so that people aren't afraid that the product will make them look bodbuilder huge.
The answer is no to your question. Going to failure is just fatiguing the muscle to the point it can't do the work anymore. You will obtain hypertrophy by working the muscle to this point, but it is much better to do so with fewer than 12 reps in most cases for most muscles.
What you should do is first decide on a goal, then decide on a program to reach that goal.
mslman71
03-02-2011, 05:35 PM
... dang, too slow for 3rd.
ironwill2008
03-02-2011, 07:10 PM
So the question is, do high reps NECESSARILY conflict with strength/bulking if you go to failure or near failure consistantly?
What, specifically, are you asking here; I don't understand the question. Can you rephrase it?
SerpentHearted
03-02-2011, 08:07 PM
There really is no such thing as "toning" your muscles in that sense. Low or high muscle tone are medical conditions and really the only proper usage for the word. Exercise can really only make your muscles bigger through hypertrophy or with the help of diet cut fat so you appear more cut. The phrase "Toning muscles" is nothing more than marketing hype for fitness products so that people aren't afraid that the product will make them look bodbuilder huge.
The answer is no to your question. Going to failure is just fatiguing the muscle to the point it can't do the work anymore. You will obtain hypertrophy by working the muscle to this point, but it is much better to do so with fewer than 12 reps in most cases for most muscles.
What you should do is first decide on a goal, then decide on a program to reach that goal.
this is good advice.
dungeonmistress
03-02-2011, 08:29 PM
Toned is a 4 letter word in these here parts. :D
4MeNFamily
03-02-2011, 08:46 PM
And thanks for the term "hypertrophy"...knew it once but forgot. Understand what you are saying about reaching in 12 reps or less and I've traditionally been of that school. However, I'm getting really good gains in strength going this route for the time being. When I reach 100 reps...this week for sure...I plan on either doing the same routine with a 40 pound vest or doing one arm pushups.
Again, thanks for the feedback...I believe I have my answer now.
And as to the word "tone" being a 4 letter word here, I guess I now know how to curse on this forum.
dungeonmistress
03-02-2011, 09:04 PM
And thanks for the term "hypertrophy"...knew it once but forgot. Understand what you are saying about reaching in 12 reps or less and I've traditionally been of that school. However, I'm getting really good gains in strength going this route for the time being. When I reach 100 reps...this week for sure...I plan on either doing the same routine with a 40 pound vest or doing one arm pushups.
Again, thanks for the feedback...I believe I have my answer now.
And as to the word "tone" being a 4 letter word here, I guess I now know how to curse on this forum.
You are in Roseville. I am originally from Sacramento. We were practically neighbors lol.
NYkarate
03-03-2011, 12:08 AM
And thanks for the term "hypertrophy"...knew it once but forgot. Understand what you are saying about reaching in 12 reps or less and I've traditionally been of that school. However, I'm getting really good gains in strength going this route for the time being. When I reach 100 reps...this week for sure...I plan on either doing the same routine with a 40 pound vest or doing one arm pushups.
Again, thanks for the feedback...I believe I have my answer now.
And as to the word "tone" being a 4 letter word here, I guess I now know how to curse on this forum.
You're welcome. As I said, you wil get hypertrophy by going to failure with very high reps. The reason I would stay away from very high reps is added stress on joints, ligaments and tendons.