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Anonymous asked in HealthDiet & Fitness · 1 decade ago

How to build muscle without bulking up?

I'm a college student trying to avoid the "Freshman 15" and stay in shape -- and looking good (6-pack abs, anyone?) would be nothing to complain about either. I've been working out a decent amount, using plenty of weight-resistant machines. I'm not so sure what I'm doing is best for what I want, though: I don't want to look like a meathead, or bulk up at all...I like my slender shape! I eat a ton, and I know that working out + eating a lot is the path bulky weightlifters take...

Point being: I just want to get in good, healthy shape; get stronger but stay slim; and while I'm at it, go for that 6-pack.

I have access to a pretty nice university gym, so I'm pretty limitless here. Got any exercise tips/suggestions? Anything in terms of how long I should be doing what kind of exercise with what kind of weights or machines (or lack thereof) would be greatly appreciated -- especially with regard to abs, since my doctor recently warned me that a solid abdominal core is the best prevention of future back problems.

Feel free to ask away for any more details or anything.

Thanks!!

Update:

Responses:

Swimming sounds like a great idea....unfortunately (and rather embarrassingly...), I can't swim. :/ That being said, I dig the idea of just being active in general. Perhaps I'll take up a sport.

I don't drink, so no need to worry about the cals there.

Our Caf is pretty good at serving healthy foods; brown rice, plenty of vegetables, etc. I'm vegetarian but eat plenty of tofu and whatnot to maintain proper protein levels. That being said, any specific suggestions about diet?

In terms of yoga-type exercises, there's a section of the gym dedicated to this kind of stuff, but I don't know much about that sort of thing. Any exercises you would recommend? Just a name would be dandy, so I could Google how it's done and give it a try.

Also, is it true that more reps at less weight is better for toning and keeping in good shape, whereas heavier weights at fewer reps is better for bulking up?

11 Answers

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  • ?
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    For that, you don't want to do weight machines only.

    You also want to do cardio - mixing in regular cardio for endurance and high intensity interval cardio for calorie burning would be great.

    Regular PE exercises - lots of jumping jacks, push ups, crunches, triceps dips, butt lifts and other plyometrics and body weight exercises

    Flexibility and balance exercises - yoga, pilates and dancing can help a lot

    Also, be active in your life, do some cleaning, wash your car, help your friends move some furniture etc... and most important of all eat properly. Being fit is more than just a set of proper exercises - if you wish strength and lean mass without bulk, you need functional strength.

    Also do compound exercises - which activate your whole body. Chin ups, pull ups, squats (weighted ones slowly and unweighted ones fast), deadlifts (with weight), high plank/low plank, kettlebell exercises etc.

    Compound sports (or training for them) would be great, like swimming, triathlon etc.

    If you have trouble getting motivated, I recommend some quality DVD exercises such as Insanity. But always remember - proper diet will always be most effective, and it's more important than your workout. Avoid late night food, avoid drinking too much (alcohol has tons of calories). If you only do like half exercise tips I mentioned, and keep your diet proper, you'll do fine :)

  • Melani
    5 years ago

    1

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  • Sheila
    Lv 4
    5 years ago

    Build Ripped Muscle Fast

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  • Anonymous
    6 years ago

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    RE:

    How to build muscle without bulking up?

    I'm a college student trying to avoid the "Freshman 15" and stay in shape -- and looking good (6-pack abs, anyone?) would be nothing to complain about either. I've been working out a decent amount, using plenty of weight-resistant machines. I'm not so sure what I'm doing...

    Source(s): build muscle bulking up: https://tr.im/USFG0
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  • nicole
    Lv 4
    4 years ago

    2

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    6 years ago

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  • Ricky Strongwill
    1 decade ago

    Start with light exercises and some cardio.

    Eat properly. Do not eat just about anything.

    Abs are made in the kitchen.

    Contact me if you need more help.

    ricky.strongwill@gmail.com

    Source(s): :)
  • Sherry
    5 years ago

    You will take pleasure in your foods without possessing to fear about gaining weight.

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    play basketball

    i'm 15 years old, and a freshman in high school (funy how that works out huh?) and i have a six pack from basketball type excersises. i don't do sit-ups or crunches etc.

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    swimming is probably the most intense conditioning sport in the world if you become a good swimmer your whole body will be in shape

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