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Home: Weightlifting and DefinitionWhen most people use the term "tone" or "definition" they are using it in opposition to the term "bulk". They think bodybuilders are "bulky" the body of a gymnast "toned" and "defined." Poppycock! Nothing can be further from the truth. In fact it is the body builder whose ultimate goal is true "definition". Definition in its purest sense is being able to see clearly "defined" and separated muscle groups. This is exactly what a bodybuilder strives for and competes with. Yet people think weightlifting especially heavy weightlifting is not for "definition". You will constantly hear people in gyms saying they are not lifting heavy because they are only looking to "tone up" not "get big". Women especially will not weightlift or only lift with repetition after repetition of light weights because they think this will give them "tone and definition". Definition by its true "definition" is less about what weightlifting routines you do, and what weight you work out with, then what you do about reducing your body fat percentage. Muscle cannot be "defined" or look "toned" - if it is hiding under body fat. This is why bodybuilders go for percentage of total body fat in the 2-4% range. And getting to that kind of "definition" is more a function of diet, then it is of any specific kind of weightlifting. So what are the best weightlifting routines to "tone"," sculpt" or "define" your muscles? All of them. Weightlifting does one thing and one thing only; by pushing muscles to the point of stress it makes the muscle react to the stress by growing bigger and stronger. And yes bigger and stronger means tighter and firmer, but if you want to see that, or want the person sitting down the bar from you to se that - you must reduce the fat. Any weightlifting routine has a fat burning component, and muscle in and of itself burns fat, but if you want to get rid of the fat and be more "defined" that will come from cardio - bike riding, jogging, swimming etc. its that simple. You want to feel and look your best, want to be strong and look great in spandex? Then weightlift to build lean muscle and eat right and do cardio and aerobics to reduce fat.
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