Are my 3lb dumbbells useless?

BrendaLee

I'm almost embarrassed to ask this, but if I use my 3lb dumbbells and high reps to work my upper body, am I accomplishing anything at all?

cjpg

Yep But instead, you'll probably have to do a considerable amount of extra reps to feel anything at all..

My sister is using 1kg weights and one night, I thought I'd see how many reps I could do until I felt anything....

500 reps later, I couldn't lift it :P

It will work, but not effectively. You're much better off getting a higher weight

addisondisease2

3lbs is useless, weigh your purse its at least 5 pounds. Start lifting heavy!

ceejay000

I don't think they're useless. I started with 2 lb weights, and when I would do any type of overhead/arm raising exercise, I definitely felt it the next day. When it starts to get easy with 3 lb weights, try increasing the weight.

melrose09

Yep...If you can do more than 12 reps with good for, you need to move up in weight.

brighteyesxluv

ive had the skinniest arms ever...my whole life. people call me "tooth pick arms" rofl !!! no joke.3lb weights are still pretty heavy for me. yes, its okay to laugh. everyone is different but they definitely make me sore. do whatever is right for your body no they aren't usless if your feeling the burn in your arms

KristynStephens15

ive wondered this as well, i recently got 5lb weights. small steps! =]

SergeantSunshine_reused

3lbs is useless, weigh your purse its at least 5 pounds. Start lifting heavy!

100% agree

usmcmp

They are very useful...door stops, paper weights and dust collectors. Lift heavy! If you don't really feel it on your 10th rep it's probably too light.

ShannanRenae

I started w/3lbs weights, got up to 5, then 8 & now 10 lbs...start at ur own pace & gradually up ur weights when they get to light 2 lift...

WhitneyAnnabelle

I'm at 20 right now, just starting to lift heavier with fewer reps. It's a ***** (excuse my language), but I'm getting better results.

Edit: Aww, really? It edited my language? Pssh.

rachemn

Not useless. We use them in kickboxing class for a little extra push. Hold the weights while doing jabs, uppercuts and crosspunches. Add some squats in too!

FlyByJuly

I don't think they're useless. I started with 2 lb weights, and when I would do any type of overhead/arm raising exercise, I definitely felt it the next day. When it starts to get easy with 3 lb weights, try increasing the weight.

I agree with this. And then when you move up to more weight, the 3-pounders make great doorstops.

teagin2002

Yep...If you can do more than 12 reps with good for, you need to move up in weight.

^^ this is the rule I follow too

taso42

I'm almost embarrassed to ask this, but if I use my 3lb dumbbells and high reps to work my upper body, am I accomplishing anything at all?

Not useless as such. You're basically accomplishing cardio and endurance conditioning with those.

If you're after strength training (which you should be ) you will most likely want to pick up something heavier and do generally less reps.

Lorleee

Not useless. We use them in kickboxing class for a little extra push. Hold the weights while doing jabs, uppercuts and crosspunches. Add some squats in too!

I agree with this. I'm using them now for the 30 Day Shred.

pittsblue99

Not useless. We use them in kickboxing class for a little extra push. Hold the weights while doing jabs, uppercuts and crosspunches. Add some squats in too!

Yep, this is what I was going to say.

skywa

i use mine for my ripped in 30 work outs. it's helped me build some muscle regardless. but i got stupid skinny arms. so thats probably why. lol

lindalou4850

I always wondered the same thing.. I use 8 & 10 lb. depending. i do 20 reps for everything. It seems to be working for me.

calmmomw3minimeez

I don't think they're useless either. I use them sometimes while on the stationary bike to get some upper body movement. When I first started lifting(the regular way), I did do a lot of reps, but later I started using both weights in one hand until I could get some heavier ones...takes a little longer doing one arm at a time, but could still feel the burn - good luck!:drinker:

RunChinni

Anything below 5lbs is useless if you are strength training. But that's only me... :-)

Justjoshin

3lbs is useless, weigh your purse its at least 5 pounds. Start lifting heavy!

But does a woman hold their purse at arms length and do lateral raises with them?

I would wager there are plenty of women who can start SOME lifts with less than 5lbs

LindaLouLu

They are very useful...door stops, paper weights and dust collectors. Lift heavy! If you don't really feel it on your 10th rep it's probably too light.

^^^^^^^^^ This.

melrose09

Yep...If you can do more than 12 reps with good for, you need to move up in weight.

^^ this is the rule I follow too

Some say 15...But I get bored after 12 anyway :-P

becoming_a_new_me

3lbs is useless, weigh your purse its at least 5 pounds. Start lifting heavy!

100% agree

I don't know how your wife manages to keep it at 5lbs...mine is at least 15!! Then there is the laptop, the suitcase, etc. I probably pack around 45-50 lbs!!

becoming_a_new_me

3lbs is useless, weigh your purse its at least 5 pounds. Start lifting heavy!

But does a woman hold their purse at arms length and do lateral raises with them?

I would wager there are plenty of women who can start SOME lifts with less than 5lbs

Um......would you hit me if I told you I do lateral raises with mine? Cause I do :happy:

becoming_a_new_me

I'm almost embarrassed to ask this, but if I use my 3lb dumbbells and high reps to work my upper body, am I accomplishing anything at all?

Hey sweetie...the 3lb weights are great for using during walking (as we girls love to swing our arms and it keeps your arm swingin' in check and useful). For upper body shoot for 5-10 or more

giggitygoo

Check out this video (second half) They're using light weights, and it's super effective.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkKnIKH0Tnk

angel79202

we use them in class for punching..can u do some punching?

Rayman79

Shocking confession: I still use light dumbells! GASP...

Not really for resistance training though, but to add an edge to some of the cardio work. I use 8-10lb dumbells for shadow boxing or hold them up to add resistance to ab crunches. They might even get a look in at the end of a particularly gruelling drop-set... depending on how sadistic my trainer feels on any given day :P

So there may still be a place for these little 'girly' weights in your routine, but they are guaranteed not to increase your strength in any significant way. I agree with the other posters who have said find a weight you struggle to complete 8-12 reps with, and use those. Remember that this is supposed to feel hard!! :bigsmile:

tataliciousd89

Alright so if you are using a video to workout to and using weights the whole time i guess i could understand 3lbs, but as far as straight lifting goes... I dont use anything lighter than 10lbs and thats for my triceps because I'm super weak back there. I'm not in great shape. Not by a long shot, but I have no problems using 15's and 20's and thats just to start out with.