Female Workout Plans?

[steavelee2]

My wife is looking for a new workout plan and is asking for my help. I know pretty well how to train a male body for the goals I'm trying to achieve (gain mass, strength) from years of doing it and reading about, but when it comes to designing a plan for her I have no clue!

Being that there are so many educated and helpful people on here I thought I'd ask here for some suggestions. My wife is 26 years old, and has always been into exercising in some form or fashion. She played several sports in high school and has undergone 3 knee surgeries for various ACL related injuries (though this doesn't bother her much today). Mostly right now she does cardio exercises (running outside or treadmill, elliptical) around 3 days a week and then does some form of weight lifting 2 days a week (usually 'The Firm' tapes). She is getting kind of bored with this routine and feels like she has plateaued.

She is looking to decrease her bodyfat percentage and to get that more toned muscle look. Given that we have both a treadmill and elliptical in house and I will soon be the proud owner of a Titan T-1, our workout options are pretty much unlimited.

So, anyone have any suggestions for a workout plan, or where to find good ones for females? Feel free to ask questions if you need more info to make an informed decision.

Muscles are muscles. Train a woman the same as a man. "Toning" is simply a function of building muscle and burning fat. She's not going to get "too big" or "bulky" from weight training...she doesn't have the hormones for it, just like most men don't.

Right, I agree with what Andy said, just don't forget to include a good nutrition plan.

[ajarvis]

I completely agree with the above as well! She definitely won't get big and bulky and the more muscle she has the more fat she'll lose

[Mrs.v.]

^^^ TOTAL agreement with ALL of the above...