# Getting in shape **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 9, 2003, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-in-shape/167442 "2003-04-09T00:00:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![eyedea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ed655f/32.png) [@eyedea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eyedea)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2003, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-in-shape/167442/1 "2003-04-09T00:00:28Z")
I have been trying to tone my arms, and stomach. Don’t care so much about my legs or lower half. I’ve been at it for awhile and im getting ther, but its going a little slow. And i dont like to use weights or anything. What’s the best way to bring out my abs and strengthen my arms, without the use of weights or a gym? ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2003, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-in-shape/167442/2 "2003-04-09T01:20:30Z")
I don’t know what’s the “best” way, but the only one I can stand is the [Thys Rowingbike](http://www.rowingbike.com/). Unfortunately it’s a bit expensive (about $2000 plus shipping from Europe.) The [Olsen Rowbike](http://www.rowbike.com/) is a similar and more affordable machine, but not as high quality IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![moriah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b2d939/32.png) [@moriah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moriah)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2003, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-in-shape/167442/3 "2003-04-09T01:53:57Z")
> [@](#): > > And i dont like to use weights or anything. What’s the best way to bring out my abs and strengthen my arms, without the use of weights or a gym? Well, is it that you don’t want to use weights **or anything** , or, you don’t want to use weights **or a gym**? If you don’t want to use weights or a gym, then you can do calisthenics or use (specially made) rubber bands for resistance. But, without resistance, nothing will noticeably increase muscle tone. So, if you don’t want to use weights or anything, then you’re out of luck. ## Peace. How do I fly without using a plane or anything? ---
**Author:** ![eyedea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ed655f/32.png) [@eyedea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eyedea)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2003, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-in-shape/167442/4 "2003-04-09T02:34:50Z")
is everyone on this sight a jerk? theres always something wrong with the phrasing, or the person isnt exactly right with his spelling. So what? Because of you, i go home and cry at night. lol ---
**Author:** ![eyedea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ed655f/32.png) [@eyedea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eyedea)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2003, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-in-shape/167442/5 "2003-04-09T02:35:53Z")
is everyone on this sight a jerk? theres always something wrong with the phrasing, or the person isnt right with his spelling. So what? Because of you, i go home and cry at night. lol ---
**Author:** ![HPL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3da27b/32.png) [@HPL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HPL)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2003, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-in-shape/167442/6 "2003-04-09T03:46:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by eyedea \* > \*\*is everyone on this sight a jerk? theres always something wrong with the phrasing, or the person isnt exactly right with his spelling. So what? Because of you, i go home and cry at night. lol \*\* Well, it doesn’t help us answer you if we don’t know what you mean. We have to be able to understand you. ---
**Author:** ![Geek\_Mecha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecae2f/32.png) [@Geek\_Mecha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Geek_Mecha)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2003, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-in-shape/167442/7 "2003-04-09T04:05:23Z")
I believe **moriah** ’s right. You can’t have both (relatively) fast results without using some type of weights or resistance. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2003, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-in-shape/167442/8 "2003-04-09T05:26:50Z")
If you want to build strength, weights are the best way to go. Tone has nothing to do with your muscles; it’s just due to low bodyfat. Eat less and work out more, and that’ll follow. ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2003, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-in-shape/167442/9 "2003-04-09T13:19:52Z")
See if there’s a Pilates class in your area - that’s pretty effective for improving muscle tone without using weights. ---
**Author:** ![Monkeypants](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecd19e/32.png) [@Monkeypants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monkeypants)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2003, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-in-shape/167442/10 "2003-04-09T13:22:20Z")
I’m not sure I agree that tone has nothing to do with your muscles. Low bodyfat but no muscle doesn’t look very “toned”. ---
**Author:** ![msgotrocks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8edcca/32.png) [@msgotrocks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msgotrocks)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2003, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-in-shape/167442/11 "2003-04-09T15:22:45Z")
Gotta agree with **Monkeypants**. My friend and I have come up with the term “euroflab” to describe the typical European’s body - not at all fat , but since they don’t do anything to build muscle, what little is there just _hangs_. Eeew. To the OP: The only thing I can think of without a gym or weights would be a power yoga video. It looks simple but you _will_ feel it the next day. ---
**Author:** ![Dogface](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9d8465/32.png) [@Dogface](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogface)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2003, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-in-shape/167442/12 "2003-04-09T15:26:09Z")
If you want results you will have to work and work hard. You don’t want to sweat? You won’t get results. Real tone comes from real work. Even Pilates, if done right, will be a serious workout. ---
**Author:** ![DreadLead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/eb8c5e/32.png) [@DreadLead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DreadLead)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2003, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-in-shape/167442/13 "2003-04-09T15:28:02Z")
Running helps tone the whole body. Some kind of boxing workout, jumping rope, a rowing machine (a good one), pushups. Basketball is a good sport for toning up, so is pilates and power yoga. Be consistent…something everyday, but don’t always do the same thing. Shock your body. ---
**Author:** ![Epimetheus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c4cdca/32.png) [@Epimetheus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Epimetheus)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2003, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-in-shape/167442/14 "2003-04-09T17:18:19Z")
> [@](#): > > I’m not sure I agree that tone has nothing to do with your muscles. Low bodyfat but no muscle doesn’t look very “toned”. That is because some people with low bodyfat have small muscles. Ultrafilter is right- toned may exist, but it is a condition of your overall bodyfat in relation to your lean body mass. It has nothing to do with the actual muscles. ---
**Author:** ![Dogface](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9d8465/32.png) [@Dogface](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogface)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2003, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-in-shape/167442/15 "2003-04-09T17:23:26Z")
Actually, I’ve seen many thin people (mostly young women) who do not look toned. They look sickly. They’ve got the typical “pipe-stem arms” and pasty complexion. ---
**Author:** ![moriah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b2d939/32.png) [@moriah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moriah)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2003, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-in-shape/167442/16 "2003-04-09T19:00:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by eyedea \* > \*\*is everyone on this sight a jerk? theres always something wrong with the phrasing, or the person isnt exactly right with his spelling. So what? Because of you, i go home and cry at night. lol \*\* You’re welcome! ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2003, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-in-shape/167442/17 "2003-04-09T19:28:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Dogface \* > \*\*Actually, I’ve seen many thin people (mostly young women) who do not look toned. They look sickly. They’ve got the typical “pipe-stem arms” and pasty complexion. \*\* Odds are that they’re starving themselves, which is in no way healthy. ---
**Author:** ![guava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/71e660/32.png) [@guava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guava)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2003, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-in-shape/167442/18 "2003-04-09T19:33:34Z")
Push-ups is one of the greatest exercise for the arms, and my aerobics instructor says it works the abs too! (Your abs are working to keep you in position.) So I disagree with moriah. You don’t need weights “or anything” to tone your arms or stomach. ---
**Author:** ![metroshane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/aeb1de/32.png) [@metroshane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/metroshane)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2003, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-in-shape/167442/19 "2003-04-09T19:33:34Z")
or you could do the old fashioned push-ups and sit ups. ---
**Author:** ![moriah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b2d939/32.png) [@moriah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moriah)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2003, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-in-shape/167442/20 "2003-04-11T01:06:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by guava \* > \*\*Push-ups is one of the greatest exercise for the arms, and my aerobics instructor says it works the abs too! (Your abs are working to keep you in position.) > > So I disagree with moriah. You don’t need weights “or anything” to tone your arms or stomach. \*\* and… > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by metroshane \* > \*\*or you could do the old fashioned push-ups and sit ups. \*\* What is this, a turn off your brain thread? I said calisthenics would work. Try looking up the word **calisthenics**. According to Yahoo’s online American Heritage Dictionary: > [@](#): > > Gymnastic exercises designed to develop muscular tone and promote physical well-being: Push-ups are part of calisthenics. Calishtenics uses the resistance of body weight to build tone. And you need resistance for any appreciable muscle tone. And yes, **tone** is the right word for all you blockheads who want to redefine the word as simply meaning lean. :rolleyes: ## Peace. Please be generous. These kids are in desparate need of a dictionary. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-in-shape/167442.md?page=2)