What size weight for Dumbbell training?

ayankeefan51
ayankeefan51 Posts: 135 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I just started doing my own weight training workouts at home using only dumbbells and body weight exercises. I want to build muscle as I'm losing weight. I'm focusing on any compound exercises for upper and lower body that I can do with my dumbbells. My question is, for women who have used dumbbells for weight training, what weight did you start out with? Was it a heavier set of dumbbells such as 10 lbs and up? I just upgraded to 8 lbs but now I'm thinking I should get 10s as well for arm exercises that feel too easy with the 8s. Any advice would be helpful. Thanks!

Replies

  • Squamation
    Squamation Posts: 522 Member
    I started with 5lbs and went up to 15lbs for some exercises.

    My advice would be when it starts to feel easy purchase the next dumbbell up in weight.
  • Joannesmith2818
    Joannesmith2818 Posts: 438 Member
    I have also just started using weights (after lots of research into technique).
    I have a set of 2kg and a set of 4kg.
    Atm the 2kg for my arms is really heavy, but hopefully it wnt take long to use the 4kg ones!!
  • ayankeefan51
    ayankeefan51 Posts: 135 Member
    I started with 5lbs and went up to 15lbs for some exercises.

    My advice would be when it starts to feel easy purchase the next dumbbell up in weight.


    Good to know, thank you!
  • Skye_NS
    Skye_NS Posts: 214 Member
    I started off with 8 & 10 dumbbells and a 18 lb body bar in March, moving up by small increments as they started getting too easy (too many reps in a set). Now have everything at 15 and just dropped the 24 lb body bar for 15 lb dumbbells. Should be moving to 20 lbs for a couple of exercises by mid June.

    Unless you are buying second hand, I imagine buying weights can add up pretty quickly. Have you considered adjustable ones? My hubby and I looked into them a while ago when his work schedule wasn't matching up with our gym's childcare times. We ended up just taking turns going until his schedule went back to normal but, if it ended up being a long term thing, we would have opted for the adjustable ones.
  • dawnymc1
    dawnymc1 Posts: 29
    I'm a firm believer in "go hard or go home" with that said, I started with 5 and have graduated to up to 25 (depending on the muscle group), even more if using universal weight machines. I can squat holding up to 100. Not heavy for serious body builders, but killer for an amateur like me.

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