Toning and building muscle are two of the most common goals of strength training. Each objective calls for a specific approach, so it's important to know their differences before you start working out. Muscle toning is the process of defining your muscles and developing a lean physique, while muscle building focuses more on bulking up. Here's a closer look at what it takes to achieve either, from diet to exercise regimen.

How to Build Muscle

• Limiting cardiovascular exercises.
• Consistently pushing your muscles to failure — the point at which you can't maintain perfect form.
• Increasing the sets, reps and weight of your exercises as you get stronger.
• Eating more calories than you need, including protein, healthy fats and carbohydrates.

Gaining muscle can be challenging, but you can achieve your goals by eating the proper foods and dedicating yourself to weight training that enlarges your muscles.

Keys to Muscle Toning

Strength training to tone your muscles is more similar to building muscle than you would think. You might even opt to switch between the two goals from time to time. When you want to tone your muscles, ensure you take actions like:

• Doing regular weight lifting training with light to medium weights and high reps.
• Prioritizing cardio to stay lean.
• Cutting back on strength training workouts when you become bulkier than you prefer.
• Eating enough calories to enable toning, but not enough to amass fat.

When toning your muscles, your ultimate goal is to build lean muscle and not gain excess fat. This process will increase your muscle definition and help you achieve a leaner physique.

Start Training at Spooky Nook Sports

Whether you want to build or tone your muscles, finding the right strength training area is essential. Spooky Nook Sports has world-class facilities where you can access the tools you need to reach your goals. We offer everything from weightlifting areas for increasing your muscle mass to an indoor track for staying lean and toned through cardio.

Need help deciding which weight training exercises you should do? Our dedicated trainers will work with you to find the right sets and weights. Contact us today to learn more about our facilities and exercise programs!