heavy weights

When you say lifting heavy as far as hand weights, what amount are YOU lifting?

Replies

  • Determinednoob
    Determinednoob Posts: 2,001 Member
    I don't use hand weights. I lift barbells with weights ranging from (sadly) 75lbs to 275lbs.
  • aaronf289
    aaronf289 Posts: 50 Member
    That answer is different for everyone.....if you can do 12-15 reps, I'd say that weight is light. if you can only do 6-8, i'd say that weight is heavy
  • AmyRhubarb
    AmyRhubarb Posts: 6,890 Member
    I don't have room for a bar or a bunch of weights at this point (sadly), so I just have dumbbells. From what I've read, "heavy" is the heaviest weight you can use for whatever move you're doing for around 8 to 12 reps before failure, that is until your arm turns to jello and you just can't complete another move. Or something along those lines. I figure if I can go past 10 reps of something and I'm just cruising right along, the weight is too light.
  • RunHardBeStrong
    RunHardBeStrong Posts: 33,069 Member
    That answer is different for everyone.....if you can do 12-15 reps, I'd say that weight is light. if you can only do 6-8, i'd say that weigh is heavy

    This. It is what is challenging for you. In my case it ranges from 35-190 lbs depending on what move I'm doing.
  • Plates559
    Plates559 Posts: 869 Member
    My rep ranges go from 1 to 6, my poundage is anywhere from 190 - 400, I train for strength related competitions.
  • chiera88
    chiera88 Posts: 155
    it depends but 20lbs is my current max for shoulder presses. one in each hand. i can only do 8 reps. less for biceps curls and tricep work
  • JNick77
    JNick77 Posts: 3,783 Member
    Lifting "heavy" isn't a reference to a specific weight but rather a general reference to Maximal Strength training or sometimes referred to as Absolute Strength training. Maximal strength training uses weights that range from 85% to 100% of your 1-rep max (RM). For instance, if your 1RM for shoulder press was 100lbs and you wanted to train with reps of 3 then you'd probably want to use 85% - 90% of your 1RM which would be 85lbs to 90lbs. Make sense? That's why maximal strength training is relative to the individual because you apply a certain percentage not a specific weight.
  • Tangerine302
    Tangerine302 Posts: 1,509 Member
    Thanks for your replies! Yeah, I was just curious what everyone was lifting. I think it's time to go up in weight as I can do more reps on the ones I have now. Like I said I was just curious what "your" heavy weight was. I was referring to dumbbells. :)
  • xraychick77
    xraychick77 Posts: 1,775 Member
    oops double post
  • xraychick77
    xraychick77 Posts: 1,775 Member
    i bench 85 lbs like 10 reps (do drop sets)

    i curl 25 lbs each hand. like 6 reps

    i tricep over head ext 35 lbs like 13 reps

    i do like 6 bodyweight pull ups

    bent over row 40 lbs each arm like 10 reps

    dumb bell fly 30 lbs for like 8-10 reps

    leg ext machine 100 lbs about 10 reps

    calves on leg press 250 lbs (not including bodyweight) 13 reps

    leg press 250 lbs for 12 reps

    shoulder press 30 lbs for 8 reps

    etc etc..i'm female 5'2" 130 lbs.

    too me..if i'm doing 12 reps at a certain weight with no problem..its time to up the weights. i do a lot of drop sets, like i'll lift really heavy for 5-6 reps, then drop weight down for reps (12 reps typically) to increase my strength.
  • nz_deevaa
    nz_deevaa Posts: 12,209 Member
    I squat and deadlift around 85kg (185lbs ish).

    I bench press 55kg (120lbs) I do rows at around the same weight or slightly heavier.
  • hesn92
    hesn92 Posts: 5,966 Member
    well it depends on what kind of lift I'm doing. "Lifting heavy" is relative to the individual person and their level of strength.