I’m just curious whether some MTM’ers can share specific exercises they do to firm and tone problem areas for them. For example: abs, inner/outer thighs, glutes (derriere), the underarm flab area. In Jazzercise, we do a rotation of routines, and overall I know that as I burn fat and keep it off the flab will tone up, but I’m always looking for fresh ideas. Thanks.

Thighs & Butt: Lunges and Squats

I hate ‘em, and it shows sometimes. But doing them really works the best. Plus they’re easy to do and you don’t need weights if you don’t have them handy. If you do, added bonus.

Thanks, Jenni!  We do a bunch of lunges, squats, and pliés in Jazzercise, as well as leg-lifts, pelvis lifts, etc. I also want to get out the DVD I bought last January, an exercise program called Callanetics. At the time I was too weak and out of shape to do some of it. (Anyone familiar? It was an old VHS exercise program that was just copied and sold on DVD, not redone, so it looks dated. Very low-impact, low-movement exercises.)

One of the things they touted was their glute exercises which said it was possible to regain a “perfect peach” shaped behind. Maybe I need to give it a try again. Or maybe it’s just good marketing.

I started working out in January with a trainer and he had me on a weight lifting program that lasted 6 weeks.  For my second program I told him I wanted to include the many of the same problem areas you mentioned above.  We have an adductor/abductor machine (inner/outer thigh) that I used for the first few weeks, but when I train at his house he has me do leg lifts on the floor.. and I can get just as much if not a better burn that way.  One tip he gave me was to keep my foot flexed - it helps focus in on the muscle more.  (Do you know how to do these - I didn’t include a detailed description - I can if you’d like)

For me I realize that I am still in a fat loss stage and I need to keep focus on the big muscle groups of my body.... he is letting me do some other exercises for variety and to help me stay motivated.

Have you tried a pilates tape/podcast.  They are supposed to be very good for toning exercies.  Look up Pilates on Fifth.  They have an extensive series of video poscasts describing the exercies.  It looks easier than it is!!

Hi, Catherine! Do you mean leg lifts as in from a hands and knees position, lifting the leg behind you? I don’t think I ever tried that with the foot flexed, always sort of pointed the toe I think. Thanks, I’ll have to keep that in mind.

In Jazzercise, there was an ab routine that I’m told was “inspired by Pilates,” but no, I haven’t done regular Pilates. Someone I know through work does Pilates classes exclusively and likes them. Thanks for the ideas! I got busy Saturday and never made it by the new Y location, but today I swung by that way and dropped off some library materials in the dropoff (they were closed of course) and the Y was a few buildings down so now I know exactly where it is. Perhaps Wednesday night I can go by and check it out.

I dug out the Callanetics DVD the other day. I admit I did so after my long mornng workout and was too tired to attempt to go along, but I watched at least the first part of it. It seems to require a lot of flexibility and then sustaining only very small motions to strengthen the muscles. Of course, the people demonstrating are extremely trim and flexible. With nine fused vertebrae there are some ways I just don’t bend!

Actually for your inner and outer thigh - you lie on your side. For example to do the outer thigh of your left leg, lie on your right side and lift your leg up from the hip. To get your inner thigh of your right leg (stay on your right side), put your left foot on the floor behind your right knee, so that your left knee is pointing up to the ceiling (some pple put it in front, but I find that limits my range of motion). Now lift your right let up to the ceiling and feel the inner thigh muscles working. Start with 10- 15 reps, 2-3 sets for each and go from there. (I do about 20 for inner and 25 for outer before I start to feel the burn)

Hope that helps.

Ooh, that sounds like a killer! In a good way, of course. I’ve done leg lifts for the outer thigh that way (with weight on the middle of the upper leg) but not the opposite way. Thanks! Yes, I was thinking of the behind-leg lift for the glutes.

yah - I’m thinking as I get stronger I am going to have to add some resistance bands to those exercises - but for now they are good on their own provided I do enough reps.  I’ll be toned but I won’t see it for a while until I get closer to my ideal weight.

You’ll feel the difference, regardless (and I notice differences, even if I still have an overlay of fat.) I’ll be thrilled the day I can say, “Hey, no dimpling” but there’s considerably less.

Hello there…

Very good question and this thread has been extremely helpful. Thank you for creating it.  Just thought I would put a suggestion of my own.  I use firming bands, and its a workout in itself.  You can work the entire body with them, or your problem area’s.  I have two kinds so far, one comes with a DVD by Leslie Samsone with a Pink band.  Awesome doable workout.  The other I bought at Barnes and Nobles when a friend suggested it- A Training book with Blue rubber bands which provide killer resistance.  She Sculpted her entire body with that one and looks awesome.

On this topic, kind of, does anyone know a good website that shows you the major muscles? I’ll look at workouts and moves and they’ll talk about this and that muscle and I’ll think, I’d really like to work whatever muscle is here. I learned them all at one point but I’ve forgotten most of them.

I found these three sites (with muscle maps) interesting:

http://www.womenfitness.net/programs/strength/musclemap.htm
http://www.fitnessireland.ie/musclemap.php
http://www.global-fitness.com/strength/s_musclemap.php

Paula