Beginners Weight Training

ohkabash

I have been progressing well with light cardio and eating better and would not like to incorporate some weight training into my daily routine. I am a SAHM and will be able to commit to 20-30 minutes of training while children are napping. I'd like to start with my arms and back and work down.

I have a few questions regarding this.

1) What exercises do you find best work for you? I will be using 5lb weights.

2) How often a week do you weight train? Do you do 1-2 days of upper body then 1-2 days of lower body within the same week?

3) Do you find that adding weight training has helped you to lose more weight and inches?

Thank you all, this has been a very inspirational website.

teachmom32

If only 20-30 minutes of time and only 5 pound dumbbells then my suggestion would be 30 day shred. I didn't lose a lot of weight while doing this, but it really helped tighten things up and lose inches.

I_Will_End_You

Hmmm...you're going to need heavier weights.

rondabug

I met with a personal trainer this evening and he encouraged me to begin weight/resistance training. While we burn calories through cardio, we can increase our metabolism by increasing muscle mass. That means we burn more calories while at rest. I'm all for that-and for tightening up. Good luck!

mkakids

Honestly, you will see quicker results if you do body weight training, rather than use the 5lb weights. Push ups (assisted on a counter or wall to start), body weight squats, dips, etc... they can all be modified if you cannot do the "traditional" exercise right off the bat...like pushups, start with wall pushes, then use your coubter, then a table, them stairs, etc...until you can do regular pushups.

I personally would carry the 5lb weights with me during the cardio to burn some extra calories, but not use them to strength train.

AlongCame_Molly

Hmmm...you're going to need heavier weights.

This.

Most women's purses, and even a newborn baby weighs more than that!! 5 lbs isn't going to get you anywhere.

I suggest looking into Convict Conditioning and You Are Your Own Gym, to learn how to utilize your own body weight in exercises until you can get to a gym and get in on their REALLY heavy weights.

tatasmagik

Calisthenics! Pushups, situps, dips, pullups, squats, etc.

lms1220

Bump

FitnessBeverlyHills

I have been progressing well with light cardio and eating better and would not like to incorporate some weight training into my daily routine. I am a SAHM and will be able to commit to 20-30 minutes of training while children are napping. I'd like to start with my arms and back and work down.

I have a few questions regarding this.

1) What exercises do you find best work for you? I will be using 5lb weights.

2) How often a week do you weight train? Do you do 1-2 days of upper body then 1-2 days of lower body within the same week?

3) Do you find that adding weight training has helped you to lose more weight and inches?

Thank you all, this has been a very inspirational website.

There's so much debate on this question and really its different for everyone. If you are just starting with weight training I wouldn't be discouraged with using 5lb weights. Madonna's said numerous time she only exercises with 3lb weights and we all see how she looks. The way you exercise is much more important than the weight. I constantly see people trying to lift heavy weights and their form is terrible because the weight is too heavy for them. My motto is use a weight that is challenging enough without using poor form, if I have to start swinging my body all over the place or using my back to get a weight up, its too heavy.

Try doing some basic exercises slow and controlled in good form and watch some youtube videos or a workout dvd like bicep curls, tricep kickbacks, shoulder presses ect...you can also add in combination exercises like lunges combined with bicep curls. Fitness magazines always have pictures of different exercises you can do at home with light weight. Body resistance exercises are also great but you will want to look up ways to modify them if they are too difficult. If you are starting from the very beginning it might help to get a few videos on weight training exercises you can do at home.

Weight Training is definitely worth it! I feel that with weight training I lose weight quicker and have a nice toned body as opposed to just being skinny and frail. I can also get away with eating more and can enjoy the foods I like to eat.

tomcornhole

You are your own gym. Download the app.

mkakids

I have been progressing well with light cardio and eating better and would not like to incorporate some weight training into my daily routine. I am a SAHM and will be able to commit to 20-30 minutes of training while children are napping. I'd like to start with my arms and back and work down.

I have a few questions regarding this.

1) What exercises do you find best work for you? I will be using 5lb weights.

2) How often a week do you weight train? Do you do 1-2 days of upper body then 1-2 days of lower body within the same week?

3) Do you find that adding weight training has helped you to lose more weight and inches?

Thank you all, this has been a very inspirational website.

There's so much debate on this question and really its different for everyone. If you are just starting with weight training I wouldn't be discouraged with using 5lb weights. Madonna's said numerous time she only exercises with 3lb weights and we all see how she looks. The way you exercise is much more important than the weight. I constantly see people trying to lift heavy weights and their form is terrible because the weight is too heavy for them. My motto is use a weight that is challenging enough without using poor form, if I have to start swinging my body all over the place or using my back to get a weight up, its too heavy.

Try doing some basic exercises slow and controlled in good form and watch some youtube videos or a workout dvd like bicep curls, tricep kickbacks, shoulder presses ect...you can also add in combination exercises like lunges combined with bicep curls. Fitness magazines always have pictures of different exercises you can do at home with light weight. Body resistance exercises are also great but you will want to look up ways to modify them if they are too difficult. If you are starting from the very beginning it might help to get a few videos on weight training exercises you can do at home.

Weight Training is definitely worth it! I feel that with weight training I lose weight quicker and have a nice toned body as opposed to just being skinny and frail. I can also get away with eating more and can enjoy the foods I like to eat.

Madonna also does pilates using her body weight as resistance.

FitnessBeverlyHills

I have been progressing well with light cardio and eating better and would not like to incorporate some weight training into my daily routine. I am a SAHM and will be able to commit to 20-30 minutes of training while children are napping. I'd like to start with my arms and back and work down.

I have a few questions regarding this.

1) What exercises do you find best work for you? I will be using 5lb weights.

2) How often a week do you weight train? Do you do 1-2 days of upper body then 1-2 days of lower body within the same week?

3) Do you find that adding weight training has helped you to lose more weight and inches?

Thank you all, this has been a very inspirational website.

There's so much debate on this question and really its different for everyone. If you are just starting with weight training I wouldn't be discouraged with using 5lb weights. Madonna's said numerous time she only exercises with 3lb weights and we all see how she looks. The way you exercise is much more important than the weight. I constantly see people trying to lift heavy weights and their form is terrible because the weight is too heavy for them. My motto is use a weight that is challenging enough without using poor form, if I have to start swinging my body all over the place or using my back to get a weight up, its too heavy.

Try doing some basic exercises slow and controlled in good form and watch some youtube videos or a workout dvd like bicep curls, tricep kickbacks, shoulder presses ect...you can also add in combination exercises like lunges combined with bicep curls. Fitness magazines always have pictures of different exercises you can do at home with light weight. Body resistance exercises are also great but you will want to look up ways to modify them if they are too difficult. If you are starting from the very beginning it might help to get a few videos on weight training exercises you can do at home.

Weight Training is definitely worth it! I feel that with weight training I lose weight quicker and have a nice toned body as opposed to just being skinny and frail. I can also get away with eating more and can enjoy the foods I like to eat.

Madonna also does pilates using her body weight as resistance.

Yes, I added Body Weight Resistance Training in My Post I'm a Pilates Instructor and its an Excellent way to gain muscle but its not all body resistance, the majority of the exercises use spring resistance, not body weight, I'm pretty sure she uses the machines. Mat Pilates however does use Body weight and is a great alternative for beginners.