What kind of weights should I start with?

taiyola

So I'm currently improving my diet each week and I think it's okay for now. I'm getting sufficient calories, carbs, protein, over on fibre but I drink a good 3L of fluids a day. I have the odd something naughty, but in general eat good things.

On the exercise front, I currently do cardio about 5 times a week. About 3 times a week I'm doing sit-ups, press-ups, and some leg and arm exercises. My arms are aching this morning lifting my coffee cup!

BUT. I know my body will get used to this in a few weeks, and I want to get some free weights for at home. At the gym the most I've been able to lift on my arms is 5kg :noway: But I now can't afford to go to the gym.

I'm steadily losing 0.5-1lb a week, and have so far lost 4.5", but I'm conscious of losing muscle. My goal is to be "toned".

What kinda weight weights should I get? Am I on the right track?

shaybethxo

hi!
i have some dumbells at home that i use everyday. i think they're a good place to start argos have some good ones:

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/9250181/c_1/1|category_root|Sports+and+leisure|14419152/c_2/2|14419152|Weights+and+strength+training|29022084/c_3/3|cat_29022084|Weights+and+dumbbells|14419310.htm

i also have a thigh master, and a rowing resistence thing. like these:

http://www.1topstore.com/en-gbp/thighmaster-thigh-leg-master-shaper-exerciser-equipment-p5422.html

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Everlast-Womens-Rowing-Action-Exerciser/dp/B00091RYNG/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1341740660&sr=8-3

they're cheap and easy to use. i use mine whilst watching tv and i've definitely noticed a difference.

darrensurrey

You could continue to do bodyweight exercises aka calisthenics.

You can adjust the difficulty of, for instance, press ups by putting your feet on a chair.

Do chair dips (see here: http://darrensurrey.hubpages.com/hub/How-to-perform-tricep-dips-at-home ) with a heavy bag in your lap or feet raised on another chair.

Stand in Downward Facing Dog pose ( http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/491 ) and do push ups to work the shoulders.

More on the above: http://www.drillsandskills.com/article/18

You could do everything slower or do more reps/sets.

If you do get weights, I'd be looking to have plate weights on dumbbells with at least 10kg on each db. You don't have to use it all immediately but, over time, you'll start to find 10kg easy to lift for some exercises such as bench press. If you've never really worked your back before, you might find Bent Over Rows a challenge with just 5kg. Shoulder presses may be tricky with 5kg, too.

darrensurrey

i also have a thigh master, and a rowing resistence thing. like these:

http://www.1topstore.com/en-gbp/thighmaster-thigh-leg-master-shaper-exerciser-equipment-p5422.html

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Everlast-Womens-Rowing-Action-Exerciser/dp/B00091RYNG/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1341740660&sr=8-3

You can use the thigh master to work the pecs, I think? Hold the unit in front of you and push each end together!

taiyola

Thanks for the links - I'll check them out now!

My friend yesterday just bought some weights that have add-ons, and go up to 15kg. I might see what I can do using his, and then maybe get a similar thing. I was planning on doing weighted squats and stuff like that. I've never really worked anything bar my arms, stomach and legs!

I want to get one of those big balls too. My dog might try and bite it though

taiyola

Shaybeth - Those weights only go up to 2kg? Do you feel anything from that weight?

darrensurrey

Thanks for the links - I'll check them out now!

My friend yesterday just bought some weights that have add-ons, and go up to 15kg. I might see what I can do using his, and then maybe get a similar thing. I was planning on doing weighted squats and stuff like that. I've never really worked anything bar my arms, stomach and legs!

I want to get one of those big balls too. My dog might try and bite it though

Squats are great - if you get dbs, google "bulgarian squats" and hold the dbs at your sides while doing them. Evil stuff.

taiyola

Have you tried kettlebells? Just saw them online. Heard about them, but never picked one up!

I want a nice butt! My main area I need to target is the parts riiight at the top of the thighs - they've stayed the same even after losing 7.6lb and ruin my legs in leggings lol

IronSmasher

It depends entirely on your ability, and getting it right with no experience is pretty much impossible.

Marklauren.com has lots of bodyweight ideas without you having to part with money.

A gym and trainer could get you some experience.

Kettlebells start at 8kg for women. Anything else is a paperweight and been introduced by westernisation. RKC trainers should see you right.

darrensurrey

Have you tried kettlebells? Just saw them online. Heard about them, but never picked one up!

I want a nice butt! My main area I need to target is the parts riiight at the top of the thighs - they've stayed the same even after losing 7.6lb and ruin my legs in leggings lol

Bearing in mind that you cannot spot reduce fat, you need to keep reducing your bodyfat %.

That said, kbs are great and one exercise that will help are kettlebell swings but bending the legs more with each down-swing so you work the glutes and thighs more with each up-swing. You'll also be working the core as you have to keep the back straight (unless you want to risk getting a lifelong injury).

Do 20s of swings with 10s of rest, repeated for 20 minutes and you'll really feel it. The first 8 minutes, you'll be laughing at how easy it is. After 12 minutes, you'll be cursing my name. It's a weight exercise combined with an HIIT element to burn the fat (all over) and train the muscles. And as the above poster suggests, don't get a light one.

shaybethxo

Shaybeth - Those weights only go up to 2kg? Do you feel anything from that weight?

oops sorry! i only have 1.2kg ones because i use them for punching and pilates type things, but no up to 2kg isn't very good is it? lol. if it was me, i would get the one with changeable weights

Vailara

Squats are meant to be good for butts.

I bought one of those weight sets from Argos that have a big bar and two little bars, and different sizes of weights that you attach. You use the big bar as a barbell and the little ones as dumbbells. I personally, think they are worth getting BUT I found that if you're doing things like squats and deadlifts you very quickly end up using all your weights and have to buy more. I also found that the whole thing just got to heavy to use at home without a rack and a rack is a big expense (and my floor isn't suitable for deadlifts) so I ended up joining a gym after all. More than I'd expected to pay!

This is the sort of thing I mean:
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3028302/c_1/1|category_root|Sports+and+leisure|14419152/c_2/2|14419152|Weights+and+strength+training|29022084/c_3/3|cat_29022084|Weights+and+dumbbells|14419310.htm

If you don't go that route, the bodyweight exercises above sound great. Nerdfitness also has some articles on bodyweight exercise http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/top-posts/

This youtube channel shows ways to progress with bodyweight exercises: http://www.youtube.com/user/ConvictConditioning

I'm no expert so can't speak for how good any of these things are, but I found them useful. Good luck!

ETA: We also have a pull up/chin up bar - the kind that you hook over your doorframe. Something like this http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/9282726/Trail/searchtext>PULLUP+BAR.htm

donnab83

Bump!

chris1816

OP read this, top bot bottom: http://4chanfit.wikia.com/wiki/Harsh's_Worksheet_(WIP)

I like that you questioned if 2kg will do anything...because they won't.

Women can and should lift heavy, low reps, high weight. I could go on but pretty much everything I would tell you is outlined in that link I gave you.

MinkyMoo13

I got some tips from here;

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

I think you have to sign up to get access to all the workouts.. you can add the exercsies you like to make up a work out.. I you tubed any exercsies i didn't understand

MinkyMoo13

Squats are great - if you get dbs, google "bulgarian squats" and hold the dbs at your sides while doing them. Evil stuff.

Maaaaaan! They look nasty!

tashaa1992

I'm also interested in what responses you're going to get. I want to start strength training too as I want to lose inches, tone up my thighs, bum and lower stomach area. How heavy is heavy?

IronSmasher

How heavy is determined by how many times you can perform the exercise with the weight.

If you can only perform 6 before your form fails, it's pretty heavy.