Tips on Toning Muscles

Looking for tips on toning muscles? You're not the only one. When you want to get in shape, you need to find out the right exercises and techniques in order to make your body look sleeker and become healthier.But with the overwhelming amount of information that is available, you also need to know how to use the information to your greatest advantage. And this means that you need to learn the secrets that personal trainers and athletes know. You need to know what tips they have – and how you can incorporate them into your workout time.The key is that you need to understand why these tips work as well as how to physically use them. For example, when you are taught that you need to breathe out with each exertion movement; do you really know why you're doing it?Let's take the example of doing a pushup. When you push up from the ground, you should let the air out of your body. This allows your abdominal muscles to close in tight with your core, which supports your body as well as contracts the muscles that are involved in the movement.It doesn't have to be a forceful exhalation of air, but you need to remember to breathe in when you are lowering from a movement and to exhale when you are doing the ‘hard' part of an exercise.Learning the proper movements is another key to your success. By working with a personal trainer or following the instructions of the movement carefully, you will be able to get the most out of the exercise. Try to learn the exercise first without weights and do it slowly to feel what muscles are working. If the exercise indicates that you should be feeling the quad muscles working… be sure you can feel it in your quads!You will also find that keeping your stomach pulled in is the best way to maintain your balance during each exercise. Why is this important? When you're trying to perform a movement, you need to have a stable body. And when you pull your stomach in, you will maintain your balance and thus avoid injuries and accidents.When you're looking for tips on toning muscles to help you with your workout goals, remember that common sense is the best advice. Don't workout too hard; know what you're doing; stop if it hurts.

By Lynn Vandyke