Dumbells

CCSunlight

So I'm new to trying to use dumbells, although I've had about three different weights for about a year. I don't want to try doing them at the gym until I don't look totally clueless with what I'm doing. I'm looking for exercises that will help to tone my arms to do on top of my cardio. What are the best exercises to start out with?

Kate

jenhenning219

i take my 3lb weights and i do squats like i reach the weights up to the air then squat and then bring them down and then get up and repeat

bizco

Dumbbells.

Cut & paste into your browser, click on a specific exercise for a video. Work your biceps, triceps and shoulders. Progressively lift heavier dumbbells.

http://www.muscleandstrength.com/workouts/frankoman-dumbbell-only-split.html

_GlaDOS_

http://www.dumbbell-exercises.com/exercises/index.html

Practice form first, then start lifting heavy.

carrie_eggo

i take my 3lb weights and i do squats like i reach the weights up to the air then squat and then bring them down and then get up and repeat

Three pound weights won't do much at all....you need to lift heavy.

addisondisease

i take my 3lb weights and i do squats like i reach the weights up to the air then squat and then bring them down and then get up and repeat

That is called a thruster

kristilovescake

http://www.dumbbell-exercises.com/exercises/index.html

Practice form first, then start lifting heavy.

This is awesome! I've been recently looking for something like this to switch things up at the gym. Thanks!

Nomomush

i take my 3lb weights and i do squats like i reach the weights up to the air then squat and then bring them down and then get up and repeat

Three pound weights won't do much at all....you need to lift heavy.

Agreed. Most women's purses weigh more than 3lbs so starting there won't make a difference.

erickirb

When lifting if you can get 10-12 reps with good form, then increase the weight for the next time you do that exercise. Aim for 8-12 reps/set on each exercise with the last 2-3 reps being difficult to complete with good form.

poustotah

I take my 3lb weights and i do squats like i reach the weights up to the air then squat and then bring them down and then get up and repeat

This is a great compound movement.

TWrecks1968

I will do three sets of 8 reps each. If I can finish the third set, I will up the weight next time. My goal is to "fail" on the third set or have such muscle exhaustion that I can only do four or five of the set. Then I make sure that about 24 hours after, I have soreness in the muscles worked.

My1985Freckles

i take my 3lb weights and i do squats like i reach the weights up to the air then squat and then bring them down and then get up and repeat

Three pound weights won't do much at all....you need to lift heavy.

Agreed. Most women's purses weigh more than 3lbs so starting there won't make a difference.

Everyone has to start somewhere. I started with 3 pound weights, upped to 5, then to 8, etc. I do a 20-30 minute (depending on how many reps I do on the given day) full body workout with those weights. They were more than heavy enough when I started and made a HUGE difference.

Jo2926

i take my 3lb weights and i do squats like i reach the weights up to the air then squat and then bring them down and then get up and repeat

Three pound weights won't do much at all....you need to lift heavy.

Agreed. Most women's purses weigh more than 3lbs so starting there won't make a difference.

Well it will make more difference than sitting on the sofa - so all credit for doing it. If 3lbs is what you have, and 3lbs is what you can lift then start there - and its a great move she is doing.

To the original poster - there are some really great videos that have been posted, and good luck with the lifting. I have recently started doing weight on top of cardio and its making a huge difference. Enjoy!

bcattoes

i take my 3lb weights and i do squats like i reach the weights up to the air then squat and then bring them down and then get up and repeat

Three pound weights won't do much at all....you need to lift heavy.

Agreed. Most women's purses weigh more than 3lbs so starting there won't make a difference.

If you've not been using any weight, then 3 lbs certainly will make a difference. Not as much as heavier weights, but it will have an effect. If 3 lbs didn't make a difference then neither would any mutiple of 3.

shana_phoenix83

There are millions of different things to do with dumbells. Just google some and practice at home. A lot of gyms offer weight/body-pump classes. Observing what every else is doing at the gym sometimes helps, too.

Jo2926

Everyone has to start somewhere. I started with 3 pound weights, upped to 5, then to 8, etc. I do a 20-30 minute (depending on how many reps I do on the given day) full body workout with those weights. They were more than heavy enough when I started and made a HUGE difference.

Well Said.

Kat5343

I am looking for good tricep exercises for my "bye bye" arm flab...and suggestions?

mrzpeep1

bump

My1985Freckles

My workout began with the Mia Finnegan workout dvd that came with my first set of weighted balls (danskin from walmart). I do all those moves (except the squat with a travel because I think it is weird) and throw in Roman twists, side lunges with arm raises, static lunges with bicep curls, side crunches, 21's, and occassionally mountain climbers. I finish with a few yoga stretches. Takes me 20-30 minutes depending on how many reps I do of each. After my muscles get used to a certain weight, I move up to the next increment.

Every Journey Begins With A SMALL Step, even 3 pound weights

savlyon

http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/

KyleB65

Don't be afraid of the gym!

Your gym should have a trainer who would show you proper form and set you up with an appropriate program for your fitness level.

JohnnyResets

i take my 3lb weights and i do squats like i reach the weights up to the air then squat and then bring them down and then get up and repeat

Three pound weights won't do much at all....you need to lift heavy.

Agreed. Most women's purses weigh more than 3lbs so starting there won't make a difference.

If you've not been using any weight, then 3 lbs certainly will make a difference. Not as much as heavier weights, but it will have an effect. If 3 lbs didn't make a difference then neither would any mutiple of 3.

I agree with this too... if you're just starting out with weights, better to not do too much. If you start with too much weight, you can make your arms sore, and then you won't want to do it for a while and then you get discouraged. If you can do 10 reps easily, then go up 5 pounds and see how that is.

myak623

http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/

^This! Great suggestion. Here is the link if you wanted it more specific

http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/finder/lookup/filter/equipment/id/1/equipment/dumbbell

CCSunlight

Thanks for all the suggestions! I didn't want to just google "dumbbells" because i wanted to make sure whatever I did was actually going to work rather than just some kid with a youtube account. I think I have 3s 5s and 8s, so I'm probably going to start with the 3 and go from there.

Kate