Stupid question: Dumbell weights

FlittyGetsFit
FlittyGetsFit Posts: 94
in Fitness and Exercise
Ive bought myself some light dumbells so I can start strength training. I've seen the advice about lifting heavy, but I am 60lbs overweight and very unfit so am starting light. My question is when I track the exercises I do, what weight do I put down? If each dumbell is 5lb, do I list it as 5lb or 10lb as I'm lifting 2 at a time?

Thanks :)

Replies

  • creature275
    creature275 Posts: 348 Member
    the combined weight
  • janeite1990
    janeite1990 Posts: 671 Member
    I'm not an expert. You'll have smarter answers, I'm sure, BUT

    you aren't starting light if it is the heaviest weight you can do. It doesn't matter how heavy you are, it matters how strong you are. Some heavy people are very strong and others aren't. Test to see the heaviest weight you can do 8-10 reps with. Stick with that until it becomes too light.
  • chickentunashake
    chickentunashake Posts: 164 Member
    I'm not an expert. You'll have smarter answers, I'm sure, BUT

    you aren't starting light if it is the heaviest weight you can do. It doesn't matter how heavy you are, it matters how strong you are. Some heavy people are very strong and others aren't. Test to see the heaviest weight you can do 8-10 reps with. Stick with that until it becomes too light.

    LIKE
  • creature275
    creature275 Posts: 348 Member
    I'm not an expert. You'll have smarter answers, I'm sure, BUT

    you aren't starting light if it is the heaviest weight you can do. It doesn't matter how heavy you are, it matters how strong you are. Some heavy people are very strong and others aren't. Test to see the heaviest weight you can do 8-10 reps with. Stick with that until it becomes too light.

    I would argue that a "heavy" lift is in the 4-6 rep range, 8-10 is good for building muscle but 4-6 is pure strength which is why the 5x5 method is so effective for building strength
  • creature275
    creature275 Posts: 348 Member
    I'm not an expert. You'll have smarter answers, I'm sure, BUT

    you aren't starting light if it is the heaviest weight you can do. It doesn't matter how heavy you are, it matters how strong you are. Some heavy people are very strong and others aren't. Test to see the heaviest weight you can do 8-10 reps with. Stick with that until it becomes too light.

    LIKE

    nice core
  • FlittyGetsFit
    FlittyGetsFit Posts: 94
    I can do 12-15 reps with the lightest, 2-3 reps with my heaviest set. I haven't tested the middle set, and I was going to start with the lightest. Maybe I should go with the middle set instead?

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