ladies what size weights?

jkleeh

So the other day I posted about not losing weight and that I use 5 pound weights, and another woman made me crack up talking about it not being heavier then my purse....so that got me thinking, maybe I am using to light of weights and I should move up, now let me say I am pretty weak in the upper arms so I do feel he burn with my 5's but if 8's or 10's are going to push it farther then thats where I will go.

So what size do you ladies use?

jenniferinfl

I'm not sure what you are using your weights for, but, when I do things like bicep curls I use 25 lb dumbbells.

If your using them in conjunction with some kind of fitness video, that that may not be the best recommendation.

mominwi419

Tricep kickbacks: Using 15-20 pound dumbbells

Bicep curls: I use the 45 pound bar

Dumbbell Flyes: 25 pound weights

Rows: 30 pound weights

That's everything I do with dumbbells. Everything else is with the barbell.

jkleeh

holy crap! I am using way to small of weights! thanks!

Guamybear

My free weights start at 12lbs up to 25 depending on what I am doing for my arms, back or shoulders.

metalloz

Mine are only 15 pounds to do squats and curls...looks like I should
Buy heavier weights

FlaxMilk

You have to build up your strength though. When 5 feels too easy, bump up 2.5-5 lbs until that feels too easy. Don't push it or you'll hurt yourself.

HelloDan

My OH squats 95kg (209lbs), she's been lifting for a year, so I wouldn't expect someone starting to hit that straight away, but it does suggest you can safely go heavier without too much worry.

issyfit

To build muscle size my understanding is to use as heavy as you can handle for 8-12 reps done slowly. To improve muscle endurance and general fitness use lighter ones with more reps. I am 66 and use 12 lbs free weights for most upper body exercises, 2 sets of 12 slow reps.

melaniecheeks

Your muscles are different sizes. Bigger muscles can handle bigger weights.

nexangelus

OK, you wanted to know...I use 25 kg (55 lbs) dumbells for one arm rows, I can do five full bodyweight pullups in a row (I weigh 71 kg). I use the 20 kg (44 lbs) kettlebells for swings and rows (need the 24 kg/ 52.8 lbs one now) and the 16 kg (35.2 lbs) kettlebells for weighted lunges, push presses and the like. I think I still use the 10 or 12 kg dumbells for bicep curls, haven't done these in a while. I can do 59 kg on the lat pull down and I max out the leg extension and the leg curl machines at about 88 kg each.

Here are my compound lifting stats (barbell/olympic bar with added weights)

Squats - 102.5 kg (225.5 lbs)
Bench Press - 65 kg (143 lbs)
Barbell Row - 70 kg (154 lbs)
Overhead Press - 40 kg (88 lbs)
Deadlifts - 102.5 kg (225.5 lbs)

I do five reps of each of these weights per set. I can push to about seven if I feel strong and have eaten enough that day. I have been lifting heavy since July. But have had previous experience with heavy weights, my one rep max at age 19 was 60 kg for bench press.

teneh

All of you can lift a lot! I feel really weak now :0

HeidiMightyRawr

You build your strength up, it doesn't come straight away. I'd say a good weight range was something which you could lift for around 6-8 reps, where the last 1 or 2 reps was a struggle, but still maintaining good form.

I like to focus on compound lifts personally. Bigger movements, more muscle groups, more weight! This is what I train on (not 1RM):
Bench press: 50-55kg (110-121lbs)
Squats: 60-65kg (132-143lbs)
Deadlifts: 60-100kg (132-220lbs)
Overhead press: 30-40kg (66-88lbs)

WDEvy

I just upped my dumbbells to 15 lbs yesterday. But I only started lifting about 6 ish weeks ago.. Hopefully I can get strong enough to up again soon!

My Barbell is at 45 lbs right now but upping to 60 tomorrow. ( I don't want to go too high with the barbell since I lift from home and I'm scared with no one around to spot for me)

BusyRaeNOTBusty

What are you doing with them?

I can squat 140lbs, bench 110lbs, deadlift 180lbs....

sarahrbraun

I've only been using free weights for a month or so...

1 arm chest presses I can barely use 20lb DB

pec flies I can just barely handle 10lb DB

I've been squatting for 4-6 weeks and I have gone from 60lbs to 90lbs. I think I am going to hit 100lbs this week--2 weeks before my Christmas goal!!

WendyTerry420

I started with 3 pounds, then went up to five, and I now do ten pounds. Don't worry about what is "heavy" for others. Lift what is heavy for you and continue gradually increasing it.

jkleeh

I do over head presses, bicep curls chess press, fly's (sp?) tricep kick backs, and a squat and press, I am thinking I will up it lol. Maybe to a 12 and then go from there.

divacat80

Don't compare yourself with others. What weight you use depends not only on your strength but also on the repetitions you do in each set. The more reps the less weight you'll be able to use.
Just make sure you lift enough so that the last few reps are very very hard to do, but not absolutely impossible.

Strength takes time to be built, so don't push it too far. You don't want to strain your muscles.

issyfit

Keep in mind that weight resistance on a machine is very different than free weights due to the mechanical advantage of the fulcrums on the machines.

Momwasix

i just move up to 30 lb dumbbells. i started at 5 and worked my way up.

KourtneyP83

I use 5lbs also but I have a horrible shoulder problem and 5lbs is rough for me on that arm. Once I get my shoulder problem situated I may try to go up.

SoonerVet

I started with 3 pounds, then went up to five, and I now do ten pounds. Don't worry about what is "heavy" for others. Lift what is heavy for you and continue gradually increasing it.

exactly!

NaomiJFoster

I like my light weights too. But I do a LOT of reps with them. I use 5, 8, and 10 pounds for different things. And an extra heavy resistance band for some things. There are some exercises that I can barely manage with the 8s and I usually stick with the 5s. There are other things where the 10s are way too easy. I think I need to invest in a set of 15s. But I do think there is value in using light weights with high reps. You won't really *build* muscle, but you will gain stamina and endurence. And that's an important factor in health, too. I think a combination is a good goal, different things on different days.

Saffyra

Everyone has to start somewhere so don't feel bad!!

I started with 3lbs, then 5lbs, then 10lbs and now 15lbs for single arm bicep curls. I'm hoping to move up to 17.5 soon.

I don't have a bar (yet- yay christmas!) So I hold 25lbs in each hand for squats. I know I'm not up to some peoples heavy lifting par but I feel I'm moving in the right direction. Up up up!!

Bentley2718

holy crap! I am using way to small of weights! thanks!

It does not matter how heavy a weight other women are using, as individual strength varies a *lot* what is too light for me, might be way too heavy for you. Instead, a common recommendation is that you should be able to do more than 10-12 reps at your current weight. If you can do more than that, your weight isn't heavy enough.

2abnorth

I think the question should be, how heavey can you lift? The amount of weight depends upon the exercise your doing. If you just looking to increase the cardiovascular effect of certain exercises, that use lighter weights. If your looking do really start resistance training using lower reps, you need to go heavier. If you feel like the weight you currently use does not leave you tired and fighting for the last rep....it's simple. Up the weight. Focus on form before weight, but when you have the form down, increase the weight. Doesn't hurt to keep track of what your using for certain muscle groups as well. HTH!

JenniferSpindel

My trainer said your form should be flawless for your first 2-3 reps... then it should get a little harder and almost very difficult at the end. THAT is your ideal weight

Everyone's different though

HMVOL7409

holy crap! I am using way to small of weights! thanks!

It does not matter how heavy a weight other women are using, as individual strength varies a *lot* what is too light for me, might be way too heavy for you. Instead, a common recommendation is that you should be able to do more than 10-12 reps at your current weight. If you can do more than that, your weight isn't heavy enough.

This. While its good to get a reference don't compare to others. I've seen women shout out how much weight they can do with arrogance but then you watch them and their form sucks a**. Bad form can cause injury and be counterproductive. Some make comments on my squating a low weight to some of only 95 lbs but I have a bum leg and I refuse to go heavier for kicks and risk injury. With DB I can curl 30lb, one arm row 45, chest press 30 and shoulder press 30 but I sure didn't start there. If you are finding 10-12 reps too easy up the weights and stick with the 8-12 rep range. The last few should always be hard but still maintain proper form.

ImperfectedBeauty

Im just starting out with weights, ive only been using them for a few days now in my nightly routine but I use 8lbs. I don't own very many so my next step up from there is 12lbs lol.