Is working out 3 days a week enough?

[Anonymous]

If I do the elliptical machine 30 min 3 days a week is that enough to see the effects soon?( meaning toning) I am 5'5 120 not trying to lose weight but tone up. Will I need to exercise more days? or is that sufficient?

[kheserthorpe]

Elliptical machines aren't made for toning. They are for improving energy systems, and can be used to burn calories as well.

If you want to tone, not lose weight, you should be doing heavy lifting. 3 times a week would be sufficient. I'd suggest Mark Rippetoe's starting strength program.

[kheserthorpe]

You don't need to add weights to your elliptical work by the way. Given your goals, you should entirely switch to weights.

[Brando]

Like it has been said, weight training will help with tone. If you can afford to in time, it wouldn't hurt to bump your sessions up to 45 minutes to an hour.

Also, it depends on what you mean by "soon"?

[Asker]

I prettty much want stronger looking (mayb bigger legs).

I am staying at 30 min for now but putting my resistance up every 2 weeks. I don't want to kill myself, I want to give my body time to adapt.

Soon I mean maybe the next 2 months.

[Anonymous]

You should get Tracy Anderson's Mat Workout. It's geared towards toning womens' bodies. You'll start seeing results in a couple of weeks if it you do it 4 times a week.

[Anonymous]

Soon? No, you generally need to be working out for something like 6 months to a year to see real noticeable effects, if you're *only* doing 90 minutes a week of exercise.

To see results quicker, you've got to do way more than that. We're talking supplements, a very restricted diet, sweat rooms, the whole 9 yards.

[spik317]

that should be good. I workout 3 times a week intense heavy weight lifting. Monday Wednesday and Friday. Its good so at least you're letting your muscle to repair and grow.

[WeaponZero]

If you're trying to "tone up" you WILL need to incorporate some sort of heavier resistance training in there. Cardio alone isn't enough.