# 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:** 6\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Epimetheus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c4cdca/32.png) [@Epimetheus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Epimetheus)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2003, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-in-shape/167442/21 "2003-04-11T01:24:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by moriah \* > \*\*and… > > 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: > > 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. \*\* If you feel the need to insult, take it to the Pit, this is GQ in case you forgot. The reason I bring up the point about toning is because of the misconceptions people have about fitness. You cannot TONE a muscle. You either build it up or let it atrophy. That is it. There isn’t a magical property that exists that is called toned. You either cause it to hypertrophy (build up), or you don’t do anything to it. Basically a person that brings up toning, is a person that does not know anything about physiology or exercise science and is talking like they do. Pushups appear to “tone” a muscle because they cause hypertrophy- build up of a muscle. You either build up a muscle or you don’t. It already has a name, it is called hypertrophy, or getting bigger muscles. Same thing. What most people mean by toning is they don’t want to put in the work of lifting weights because of laziness or misconceptions about human physiology due to sterotypes and misinformation, or they mean they want definition. How do you get definiton? You get rid of the fat covering the muscle and build the muscle up so it shows up easier. For those that think toning is changing the shape of a muscle: Well, you can’t. You cannot change the shape of a muscle. The shape of your muscles is mostly due to fiber makeup and muscle insertion points and differences in them. You can make a muscle bigger, but guess what; THAT IS ALL YOU CAN DO. Make it bigger. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS TONING- aside from losing some fat and letting your BIGGER muscles show up. I.e get lean. Now, tell me all about your knowledge of physiology and exercise science and show me how I am such a blockhead. Do tell. ---
**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, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-in-shape/167442/22 "2003-04-11T22:06:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Epimetheus \* > \*\*THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS TONING- aside from losing some fat and letting your BIGGER muscles show up. I.e get lean. > > Now, tell me all about your knowledge of physiology and exercise science and show me how I am such a blockhead. Do tell. \*\* I’ll let the American Heritage Dictionay (at Yahoo) explain: > [@](#): > > tone, n., … 8. _Physiology_ a. The normal state of elastic tension or partial contraction in resting muscles. b. Normal firmness of a tissue or an organ. … > v., … 4. To make firmer or stronger. Often used with up: exercises that tone up the body. and… > [@](#): > > (from Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary) > tone (TIGHTNESS) noun > the healthy tightness of the body, especially the muscles: > After you’ve had a baby you lose the muscle tone in your stomach. > > toned adjective > (of a body) firm and strong > > tone verb [T] (ALSO tone up) > If you tone a part of the body you make it firmer and stronger, usually by taking physical exercise: > This is a good exercise for toning up the thighs. Now tell me about your knowledge of lexicography and show that these definitions are wrong. Peace. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2003, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-in-shape/167442/23 "2003-04-11T22:14:49Z")
No matter what the dictionary might say, the common notion of “toning” does not correspond with anything you can do to a muscle. It is strictly a result of low subcutaneous fat. The physiological definition you cited has nothing to do with the common usage. ---
**Author:** ![Fuel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/df705f/32.png) [@Fuel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuel)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2003, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-in-shape/167442/24 "2003-04-11T22:27:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by eyedea \* > \*\*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? \*\* You must use at least moderately heavy weights in order to “look good” (if you are weak enough ei. a girl, your bodyweight can be considered weights! 😉 ). Since I know you want to look good, try 'em out. And, DO NOT worry about getting too big. You might look a little “big” while putting on the muscle, but when you cut back on some fat afterwords (weeks later), you will be very happy with your “tone” (I hate that word). Is there a reason you don’t want to use weights? Keep in mind you can use just a barbell or a pair of DB’s to do any exercise you need. ---
**Author:** ![Epimetheus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c4cdca/32.png) [@Epimetheus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Epimetheus)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2003, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-in-shape/167442/25 "2003-04-12T00:42:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ultrafilter \* > \*\*No matter what the dictionary might say, the common notion of “toning” does not correspond with anything you can do to a muscle. It is strictly a result of low subcutaneous fat. > > The physiological definition you cited has nothing to do with the common usage. \*\* I tried to explain it. Let them think what they want I suppose. I personally grow weary of this battle. Your definitions are sad- I don’t need to have knowledge of lexicography or anything other than some rational thinking and knowledge of human physiology. If all being toned is is having hard and strong muscles then I agree. Common usage is not that definition, and it is the definition I am disagreeing with. There is only hypertrophy (which makes muscles bigger, stronger, and tighter/firmer) or catabolism. I guess you are saying that having toned muscles is having bigger muscles. Yet nobody comments on how a person with lots of fat and big muscles looks toned. I suppose that is because the common useage of “toned” is not the defintion your dictionaries give. The common usage being defined (ripped) without being huge. Low bodyfat and optimal hypertrophy. (Optimal hypertrophy being the sarcomere variant, rather than the useless sarcoplasmic sort) Would you like some links to do some reading up on this topic, or would you rather cling tenatiously to your myth? ---
**Author:** ![Rusalka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecd19e/32.png) [@Rusalka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rusalka)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2003, 7:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-in-shape/167442/26 "2003-04-13T07:16:43Z")
Eyedea, it sounds like you want to have your cake and eat it too, without doing any work. I’m sorry, but you can’t “bring out your abs” without losing the fat and making them bigger through resistance exercise. Same goes for the arms. Resistance through weights or resistance through calisthenics doesn’t matter, although the calisthenics aren’t going to do much past a certain point, as you’ve probably already discovered. If you do too many reps, it’s not going to “tone” your muscles like you want. Why this phobia towards weights? Weightlifting is the absolute best way to do those things you mentioned you desire. (along with losing fat) I always marvel at those super scrawny women who run like hamsters on the stairmaster. Why on earth are they doing that? They don’t need to, they should be lifting weights instead! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-in-shape/167442.md?page=1)