Too Much Weight Too Soon?

alsmomma
alsmomma Posts: 34 Member
edited December 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
I've read a lot here and on other websites that it's good for women to use heavy weights for strength training. I've been doing this for just over 2 months now and I started out doing squats, bicep curls and tricep extensions using 3.3 pound dumbbells. After I saw all the suggestions for heavier weights I started using 6.6 pound dumbbells, maybe about 2-3 weeks ago. I don't think anything I'm doing is overboard but for a week now I've had excruciating pain in my shoulders and then cramps in my back this morning. My husband says it's because I'm using weights that are too heavy for me. Can someone help me out? Is he right or is there another possible reason for the pain/cramping? It doesn't seem like 6.6 pounds is a lot of weight to me.

Replies

  • Sarge516
    Sarge516 Posts: 256 Member
    Pain like you describe is your body telling you something. Listen to it.

    Don't quit exercising, just change it up to something that doesn't cause you intense pain.

    Some discomfort is normal when starting out (sore muscles = mild pain), but intense pain isn't good.
  • glenette1
    glenette1 Posts: 140 Member
    It's hard to say because what works for one may not work for another. Experiment with different repetitions and see if it helps. If not, try dropping the weight a little. You should be able to find a balance between weight/reps that works for you.
  • veggiehottie
    veggiehottie Posts: 590 Member
    Perhaps your form is wrong? That can make a big difference.
    Or go back to a lighter weight.
    OR try a different triceps exercise.
    Always listen to your body... :)
  • laserturkey
    laserturkey Posts: 1,680 Member
    Good answers so far. All I can add is that when I was in shoulder rehab they told me the highest weight I should go to for some of my shoulder exercises was 5 lbs. because anything heavier on those particular exercises would cause me to recruit other muscles instead of training the ones I was supposed to be hitting. Dunno if this is a factor in your case or not, but it bears mentioning.
  • bf43005
    bf43005 Posts: 287
    I'm not an expert or anything but I go by how I feel while I'm doing the exercise. If I literally can't complete 12 reps then it's too heavy. How are you feeling during the exercise? Maybe your form is off while you are doing exercises and you are pulling a muscle. I would pull back a little before you really hurt yourself.
  • alsmomma
    alsmomma Posts: 34 Member
    Up until this week I haven't had any trouble with the weight giving me trouble. I do 10-15 reps, usually only one set at a time, although I may do it two or three times a day. It sounds like I need to go back to the lower weight for a while, until I'm more developed. I certainly can't take this pain and I don't want to cause an injury I can't recover from! Thanks for all of the input!
  • DopeItUp
    DopeItUp Posts: 18,771 Member
    You say you're doing biceps, triceps and squats? But you have shoulder pain? I doubt it's from the exercises, you're not even working your shoulders. You can certainly have bad form on squats but if you're only doing 6.6lbs it's really not going to make much difference. Think about it, you're squatting your body weight to begin with, which is I assume somewhere around 150lbs. Adding 6.6lbs or not isn't really going to change much there.

    I'd probably look at other culprits for the source. But if you're hurting, regardless of the cause, you should probably take a break regardless.
  • alsmomma
    alsmomma Posts: 34 Member
    DopeItuP, it's not shoulder joint pain but the muscle at the top of the shoulder and no, I'm not *positive* that's the culprit. In fact, I didn't even consider it until my husband suggested it. That's why I was asking. The pain is more like severe cramping or pinching more than anything, like if the muscles were knotted up. I guess the closest I can relate it to is like the pain you get in your calves when you have a Charley horse.
  • kdiamond
    kdiamond Posts: 3,329 Member
    You can get that kind of soreness just from turning your neck wrong, I've done it.

    Guarantee is has nothing to do with 6 pound dumbbells. Your purse probably weighs more than that. I'm a tiny girl and I bicep curl with 20's. Don't listen to your husband (in that respect)...women can do a lot more than he thinks!
  • alsmomma
    alsmomma Posts: 34 Member
    Thanks! I just hope it eases off soon!
  • kiachu
    kiachu Posts: 409 Member
    A very premature baby will weigh 3lbs. A newborn baby on the small side will weigh 6 lbs.
  • JustJennie1
    JustJennie1 Posts: 3,749 Member
    A very premature baby will weigh 3lbs. A newborn baby on the small side will weigh 6 lbs.

    :huh:
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