NFT: BBI Fitness/Gym experts- Question

getting "cut" or "ripped" is all about diet.

With that being said, I would recommend you go for more HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) oriented workouts to work towards the goal you have set.

particular my arms are pretty vascular but I wish they had more definition. Are there good arm workouts that work each muscle anyone can recommend?

genetics also play a role to an extent but getting ripped is all about dropping your body fat %. how your muscles look when you are ripped depends on your routine.

If you're looking for toning and add'tl size you want to achieve hypertrophy. IMO the best approach is to pyramid. You're achieving high reps and working up to a single of a medium - heavy weight. It can be applied for any muscle group or workout.
Pyramid Training - ( New Window )

is, I think I eat pretty damn healthy. I dropped 90 pounds since 7/2013, I'm at what I believe to be a good weight for my height. I don't care THAT much about getting more ripped that I'm going to cut even more calories/foods from my diet. So I guess my answer is I don't care enough about it to do what is necessary:(

In comment 12103976 Stephen in DC said:

Quote:

If you're looking for toning and add'tl size you want to achieve hypertrophy. IMO the best approach is to pyramid. You're achieving high reps and working up to a single of a medium - heavy weight. It can be applied for any muscle group or workout. Pyramid Training - ( New Window )

Stephen,
Thanks for the link. I'll check it out.

important is gradually adding increasing weights you lift in terms of muscle gains? Does your body get "used to" a certain weight?

in swim trunks?

You can achieve all of them with a lot of hard work, but you can probably achieve the last one (looking good) without adding too much strength or volume.

You can always try workouts like P90X or Body Beast...ask Gianni.

its about putting on size and not worrying quite as much about conditioning. Basic heavy compound movements. Enough cardio to warm up and then perhaps a bit at the end to keep it honest. Not junk bulking but more healthy fats. As we head into Spring, start cleaning up the diet adding more cardio and in the gym less rest time btwn sets, more super and interval setting etc. Set a date for your "unveiling", say end of June. And want people to look at you and go "Holy Shit!" Think about that every workout. Its all about goals.

In comment 12103997 RC02XX said:

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in swim trunks? You can achieve all of them with a lot of hard work, but you can probably achieve the last one (looking good) without adding too much strength or volume. You can always try workouts like P90X or Body Beast...ask Gianni.

Honestly I care about "looking good in swim trunks" above the other two. I don't care how much I can lift and I'm not looking to be a monster muscle head. I actually think I'm headed in the right direction just was curious what BBI had to say.

In comment 12104002 natefit said:

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its about putting on size and not worrying quite as much about conditioning. Basic heavy compound movements. Enough cardio to warm up and then perhaps a bit at the end to keep it honest. Not junk bulking but more healthy fats. As we head into Spring, start cleaning up the diet adding more cardio and in the gym less rest time btwn sets, more super and interval setting etc. Set a date for your "unveiling", say end of June. And want people to look at you and go "Holy Shit!" Think about that every workout. Its all about goals.

Thanks Nate. as always I appreciate your fitness advice. In terms of cardio, is it better to work longer at lower speeds or shorter at higher speeds or does it not make a difference?

in order to see more gains..that would mean adding more weights as your workouts get easier.

In comment 12104012 DanMetroMan said:

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Thanks Nate. as always I appreciate your fitness advice. In terms of cardio, is it better to work longer at lower speeds or shorter at higher speeds or does it not make a difference?

I would work shorter at higher speed to achieve what you want to achieve. This is where the benefits of interval training is really seen.

.

In comment 12104019 Jon said:

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in order to see more gains..that would mean adding more weights as your workouts get easier.

And don't forget about changing up your routine.

altho shorter hi speed intervals are currently preferred in terms of metabolic thermic efficiency. Honestly, its like when ppl ask me which cardio machine is the most effective at burning fat. Tha answer is - the one you will use every day.

I see you are Manhattan based. We could meet up for a training session at your gym if you like. Id do it for a sandwich - no charge.

In comment 12104031 natefit said:

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I see you are Manhattan based. We could meet up for a training session at your gym if you like. Id do it for a sandwich - no charge.

Don't do it, Dan! Nate just wants to make put you in pain...a lot of pain!...;)

Nate's idea of a sandwich

In comment 12104031 natefit said:

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I see you are Manhattan based. We could meet up for a training session at your gym if you like. Id do it for a sandwich - no charge.

Thanks Nate. Appreciate the offer. Yeah I'm in Manhattan. Like I said, I think I've made decent progress all things considered over the last 18 months. Just wanted some opinions from BBI since a lot of you guys are knowledgeable in this field. I know what I need to work on, more core, more legs (admittedly I have very thin legs for my build, been trying to do more leg work). I believe I eat "well", I take Whey and Casein (I know people debate the need for protein but my uncle has always been pretty ripped and he's always been in favor of whey and now whey and casein). Tips are always good!

Jon that is great.

In comment 12104002 natefit said:

Quote:

its about putting on size and not worrying quite as much about conditioning. Basic heavy compound movements. Enough cardio to warm up and then perhaps a bit at the end to keep it honest. Not junk bulking but more healthy fats. As we head into Spring, start cleaning up the diet adding more cardio and in the gym less rest time btwn sets, more super and interval setting etc. Set a date for your "unveiling", say end of June. And want people to look at you and go "Holy Shit!" Think about that every workout. Its all about goals.

Agree with this. Nate is giving you, me, and everyone sound advice.

Said