Strength Training for Beginners

Bellatrix_19

Hey y'all - long time lurker, first time poster.

I've recently added strength training to my routine using 5 lb dumbbells. I want to see progress in the weights I'm lifting and plan on increasing strength training once I am back in the city and can go to the gym regularly. I'm still getting used to the 5 lbs but they are a lot easier to workout with now compared to when I started so I think it's time I move on up. I also know that I won't get amazing results with them since it's pretty much nothing. :P

For the next month, I won't have access to a gym. Is it okay if I continue working out at home but with 10 lb weights? How often on average are people able to increase the weights they're using? I want to be lifting heavy because I know how important it is, but how quickly can a beginner go from basic dumbbell workouts to heavy lifting? I don't want to go into the weight room looking like a fool using those little pink dumbbells! Lol, thanks in advance.

catfive1

A trainer told me "you need to up your weights if you can do 12 reps easily".

ChrisLindsay9

Is it okay if I continue working out at home but with 10 lb weights? How often on average are people able to increase the weights they're using? I want to be lifting heavy because I know how important it is, but how quickly can a beginner go from basic dumbbell workouts to heavy lifting? I don't want to go into the weight room looking like a fool using those little pink dumbbells! Lol, thanks in advance.

Great job so far, and I think you'll find strength training to be fun and beneficial.

Catfive1 has a good suggestion. There have been times that I didn't think I was ready to move up in weight, but because someone had the dumbbells I needed, I grabbed the next weight up and surprised myself when I completed nearly as many reps. It sounds to me like if you're getting 10-12 reps with the 5 lb. weights, than doing 6-8 reps with the 10 lb. weights will be a relatively easy transition. For shoulders and arms, it might be more of a challenge - but try to eek out 5-6 reps and give yourself an extra 30 seconds of rest between sets. Be careful with form. If you have someone who can watch you or videorecord you on the more challenging exercises, that might be helpful. And also, since it is a pretty decent jump in weight, you may feel some soreness and DOMS. Good luck to you! I think you'll handle it pretty well. It sounds like you pay attention to detail and are comfortable with the exercises.

GetSoda

In your case, I'd ditch the dumbbells. Go for a bodyweight program like You Are Your Own Gym.
Or even look for a suspension trainer, or sandbag. Much much more beneficial than curling paperweights.

leahartmann

I want to be lifting heavy because I know how important it is, but how quickly can a beginner go from basic dumbbell workouts to heavy lifting? I don't want to go into the weight room looking like a fool using those little pink dumbbells!

What do you understand as `lifting heavy´? For me it´s exercises with the barbell. Is that´s what you want? I started with the barbell from nothing at all. Beginner with a big B, didn´t even knew how to load the barbell. I had some of the guys showing me how to do the exercises. You don´t need the light dumbells. Just go straight for what you want.