30DS newbie.. help!

surabhit

Hi lovely MFPs:)

I'm considering buying the 30DS DVD, six week six pack and a pair of weights for my birthday .. and I need some advice.
1. Should I get the 3lb or 5lb? I can do biceps etc with much more weight, but is it better to go lower and do it rather than higher and not use weights because theyr'e too heavy?
2. Should I get free weights or wrist weights? I'm leaning towards free weights to copy the video better, but wrist is more comfy?

Thanks muchly!
S

MrsM1ggins

How about weights with removable weight plates so you can start low and increase if you want/need to? I have hand weights that I can use at any weight from 1kg to 3kg.

ETA: if you get hand weights go for a pair with flat edges - you know what I mean, if you put them on a hill they won't roll away. My weights are rounded at the ends and it makes some of the exercises a bit more difficult.

Asil76

When I started I used 3lb weights and moved up as I felt comfortable.

nomoremuffintop42

i have 2lb weights and 5lb weights...somethings i can do with the 2 other with the 5...i have no arm strength so that's why my weights are so light...i would start out small and work your way up. good luck!

happy_jax

I do 30 day shred with 5kg weights... but if I am honest, even struggle with my 3kgs during 6 week 6 pack (esp Level 2!)

Like you, I can lift much heavier weights (in P90X, CharLean Extereme etc) but it's not about the weight at all...you really just need something to give you a bit of resistance. I think even go lighter than you feel you should to start and just focus on getting the movements and the motions right.

They're great workouts though that don't eat into your time at all...so good luck and enjoy! :happy:

eatrunstretch

I'm on 30 ds l3d3 and initially I worked with 3 lbs free weights through level 1 and halfway through l2 and saw amazing results! I have just recently invested in a pair of 2 lbs and 5 lbs so that I can tailor what I do. Thinking back, I think I would have found some of the exercises harder to do with 5 lbs and I think for me, it was better to start with 3 lbers. Some of the moves weren't challenging enough with just 3s but others would have been impossible with 5s. JM modifies the exercises so you can work harder or easier with or without the weights so there are options.

Good luck with it

statia152

Hi ~ I would start with the lowest weight because the 30 DS is brutal! But it will change your body dramatically! Personally, I did my first session with a couple of large soup cans and moved up to large peanut butter jars. I guess it would depend upon your fitness level right now. But I have a link you can download the 300 DS free, Just wait 45 seconds and click on regular download. Then bookmark the page with the video for future use. Good Luck!

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=V04V4SX7

Rynatat

I'm strong but there are some moves I only use 3lb dumbbells to avoid injury (or further injury from old injuries) and others I use 5lb. With JM workouts, I don't go above 5 because her moves are designed to build lean muscle as well as strengthen & improve agility & balance. I also have her Ripped in 30 & No More Trouble Zones (which is my ALL-TIME Favorite DVD EVER!) and the arms in this pic are the results of her workouts :happy: My Baby Sis who is also a PT does her DVD's as well and as fit as she is, she doesn't use more than 5lbs (her BF uses 10 & 15, but he's a guy, is 6'2" and built like a brick house!)

I wouldn't recommend wrist weights as you'll end up relying on your wrists & causing damage (think carpal tunnel): with dumbbells you're working on using your full body to line up correctly, avoid injury & strengthen, tone & get the workout that she designed.

Which ever you decide, it's YOUR body & YOUR choice; be careful & ENJOY!! Her workouts are FANTASTIC (even if I really don't like her )

willow3eb

I would start with 3. Once you get used to the other exercises, you'll feel ok using 5lbs. That's what I do anyways.

kymarai

I started (again) 30DS and am using 2 lb weights I had. My mom used soup cans! I think lighter is better to start.

Lozzy_82

I use 1.5kg (3.3lb) weights for the 30DS and for me they are about right for most of the exercises as I'm weak in my arms! I am on level 1, day 8. There are some where I would prefer some heavier weights so I'm going to buy some soon. There's one (-anterior hand raises and side lunges) where the 3.3lb weights are just too heavy and I use 2.2lbs instead, and I even struggle with those

surabhit

How about weights with removable weight plates so you can start low and increase if you want/need to? I have hand weights that I can use at any weight from 1kg to 3kg.

ETA: if you get hand weights go for a pair with flat edges - you know what I mean, if you put them on a hill they won't roll away. My weights are rounded at the ends and it makes some of the exercises a bit more difficult.

Great advice I can't afford more than one pair unfortunately bt i will definitely get round ones never thought of that!

surabhit

...i have no arm strength so that's why my weights are so light...i would start out small and work your way up. good luck!

Me neither!!!! It's ridiculous!! You'd think since my arms were 'big' they'd be worth their weight but unfortunately not.

surabhit

Hi ~ I would start with the lowest weight because the 30 DS is brutal! But it will change your body dramatically! Personally, I did my first session with a couple of large soup cans and moved up to large peanut butter jars. I guess it would depend upon your fitness level right now. But I have a link you can download the 300 DS free, Just wait 45 seconds and click on regular download. Then bookmark the page with the video for future use. Good Luck!

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=V04V4SX7

Wow!! Thanks for this!! I might try it once with the free and then get it if I'm going to carry on to ensure motivation!

surabhit

I wouldn't recommend wrist weights as you'll end up relying on your wrists & causing damage (think carpal tunnel): with dumbbells you're working on using your full body to line up correctly, avoid injury & strengthen, tone & get the workout that she designed.

Which ever you decide, it's YOUR body & YOUR choice; be careful & ENJOY!! Her workouts are FANTASTIC (even if I really don't like her )

I already have carpal tunnel on my right wrist so will avoid wrist weights then . And thanks!! I can't wait to start!!

surabhit

Thank you all so much for the wonderful support and overwhelming number of answers !!
I've decided:
1. 3lbs weights (to start with given my arms are weak and I have a painful right wrist that I can't lean weight on).
2. Free hold weights with hexagonal ends so they don't slide around

YEEEY!! 30DS here I come!!! Thank you all. I'll put up before and after in November!

thisisabbie

I started with 1kg wrist weights because that's all I had, and then bought some 2kg dumbells. I would definitely recommend NOT using wrist weights, as for some of the exercises, you need to rest on the weights in a plank position! Hence why someone suggested flat edges 3lb seems like an ideal starting weight though.

Also, please can i offer this advise:. A lot of people have had trouble with their knees after doing L2, so perhaps ease yourself into into by alternating between L1 & L2 a few times, before going straight into L2 every day. I wish I had have done that, as my knee played up, so I had to back off, modify moves, and ice it every day for the rest of the shred. (And I still have crunching sounds coming from my knee now, several months after finishing!)

Don't let that scare you away though, it's an amazing workout!! I still do it now, but just don't do L2 very often...

Good luck!

surabhit

Also, please can i offer this advise:. A lot of people have had trouble with their knees after doing L2, so perhaps ease yourself into into by alternating between L1 & L2 a few times, before going straight into L2 every day. I wish I had have done that, as my knee played up, so I had to back off, modify moves, and ice it every day for the rest of the shred. (And I still have crunching sounds coming from my knee now, several months after finishing!)

Wow.. sounds painful! I'll do that... I have issues with my bones anyway (or so it seems with a weak wrist and hip) so I will be careful. Thanks

cmDaffy

To be honest, I'd buy both the 3's and the 5's. I have 5's and 8's and 20's (just because I have them and use them for flyes and the cleans) I found even when I started, some things I NEEDED the 5's and others, I was glad I had heavier weights. If you can afford both, buy both, if not, stick with the lighter ones.

Good luck. I'm on round #2. Lost almost 4 inches from my waist...