Having trouble advancing my lifts

ScottishMrs
ScottishMrs Posts: 254 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Alright, don't blast me for this please, I'm in week 3 of my lifting and I'm using dumbbells. I've been doing this program: http://produmbbellworkouts.com/dumbbell-routines/full-body-high-volume/. I've been using Bowflex dumbbells. I really want to advance the weights a little bit but it's hard to advance a full 5 lbs with 12 rep sets and after 25lbs the Bowflex go by 5s so I'm looking for advice on how many reps I should do and if I should up my number of sets.

Right now I'm doing 3 sets of 12 reps and it's super easy at the beginning but by the time I get around 10 I'm really struggling so I haven't been able to up my weights much. Should I change to 3-4 sets of 8 reps? I don't want to outgrow my dumbbells too fast.

Replies

  • tomcornhole
    tomcornhole Posts: 1,084 Member
    Trying reducing the reps to 3x8 or going to 5x5. You want to keep increasing the weight and the difference between 8 reps and 12 reps is just fatigue. Should not effect strength building.
  • toddis
    toddis Posts: 941 Member
    You probably want to stick in the 8-12 rep range. Increase the weight till you can only do 8, then when you can do 12, increase the weight again. I'd assume after 3 sets of either you should be wore out.
  • ScottishMrs
    ScottishMrs Posts: 254 Member
    Trying reducing the reps to 3x8 or going to 5x5. You want to keep increasing the weight and the difference between 8 reps and 12 reps is just fatigue. Should not effect strength building.

    Great news! I'll be going 3x8 then and hopefully that helps me advance. Once I've outgrowth these dumbbells I'm hoping to be brave enough to go to a gym and use barbells for SL 5x5.
  • Huffdogg
    Huffdogg Posts: 1,934 Member
    Ideally in order to build strength you want to be lifting a weight that is a challenge for you to rep 4-6 times. I'd ratchet up the weight to the point where you are working in that rep range for 3-5 sets per exercise.
  • fittiephd
    fittiephd Posts: 608 Member
    Don't be afraid of the gym! It's so much fun! But I know what you mean I was afraid at first too.

    But yeah these are great suggestions. You could do the lower reps version which is a great idea

    OR

    you could do a higher weight for the first set of 12 and then go down in weight for the next set. Or work up to doing two sets at the higher weight etc

    It's all fine as long as you keep working on going up in weight over time :)

    I can't wait til you get into the gym for your big lifts! :) You're gonna do great!

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