are weights worth it?

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ritasice21
ritasice21 Posts: 200 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I know lifting for women is great, and that everyone loves NROLFW. that being said, there is zero chance that I can do that, as I do not and cannot get to a gym nor can I purchase the items required. Currently I workout with resistance bands and do 30 day shred, tae bo, etc. My question is, would a regular weight bench with curl pad and leg attachment, the kind that can only support a max of 100 pounds, get me that much further than dumbells and bands? Why or why not, and if yes any suggestions of a routine to follow?
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Replies

  • Determinednoob
    Determinednoob Posts: 2,001 Member
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    Enough weight in dumbbells and an adjustable bench with no racks will get you pretty far on the routine below

    http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=147447933
  • chrisdavey
    chrisdavey Posts: 9,835 Member
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    as long as you follow the principles of progressive resistance there is no reason why db's can't be as effective as a bb. You just need to be able to keep challenging yourself e.g. bb squatting 50kg -55kg the next week or bulgarian split squatting 10kg -12kg the next week. Both are challenging and there is progression.

    If you had a bb and just do the same weights week in week out there is no progression.

    If you use you're db's and keep making progressions harder then the db's will be more effective.

    I like resistance bands for mobility work and stretching. I don't think they have enough resistance to do much for strength. (unless you're using them as assistance for one arm chinups or something :tongue:)
  • macromouth
    macromouth Posts: 130
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    All the bench will help you do is bench presses, and those leg exercises. If you do get a bench, I wouldnt get the cheap 70 dollar one. get one that likes almost 200 and holds olympic styule weights. You can put a bar up there and make it work like a squat rack. But, you should be fine with dumbbells and knowledge of lots of exercises. What i would do first is learn how to do a bunch of those exercises in that book. Then if u want heavier wweight for squats, get a bench.
  • ZeroWoIf
    ZeroWoIf Posts: 588 Member
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    Enough weight in dumbbells and an adjustable bench with no racks will get you pretty far on the routine below

    http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=147447933

    I thought you were a smith machine pro.
  • Determinednoob
    Determinednoob Posts: 2,001 Member
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    Enough weight in dumbbells and an adjustable bench with no racks will get you pretty far on the routine below

    http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=147447933

    I thought you were a smith machine pro.

    you must have me confused with someone else
  • ritasice21
    ritasice21 Posts: 200 Member
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    Thanks for the replies, and females out there with before/afters NOT from NROLFW?
  • McBully4
    McBully4 Posts: 1,270 Member
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    Just give up, you said you can't do it before you even started, it will be a pretty short road to failure why bother even trying.
  • ritasice21
    ritasice21 Posts: 200 Member
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    I said I can't get to a gym nor purchase $500 worth of equipment. I am well on my way of weight loss and will not be discouraged by you bad attitude, but thanks for nothing!
  • McBully4
    McBully4 Posts: 1,270 Member
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    prove me wrong

    Here is a great work out that uses body weight. no gym or weights needed

    http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2009/12/09/beginner-body-weight-workout-burn-fat-build-muscle/
  • woodsygirl
    woodsygirl Posts: 354 Member
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    If I didn't go to the gym, I would try Scooby's workout.

    http://scoobysworkshop.com/womens-workouts/

    He has a good resistance band one, try it. :)
  • ritasice21
    ritasice21 Posts: 200 Member
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    I am already using weights up to 8 pounds as well as 30 ds, jumping jacks, pushups, etc, I have lost 3 sizes and over 66 pounds,. My question was clearly should I buy a cheap weight bench if that is all I can afford!
  • ironanimal
    ironanimal Posts: 5,922 Member
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    I am already using weights up to 8 pounds as well as 30 ds, jumping jacks, pushups, etc, I have lost 3 sizes and over 66 pounds,. My question was clearly should I buy a cheap weight bench if that is all I can afford!
    Hell yes. Buy plates as you go - as and when you need them.
  • lucyricky2
    lucyricky2 Posts: 437 Member
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    bump. read later when i get home. on vac now..
  • SamAdams125
    SamAdams125 Posts: 54 Member
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    I never go to the gym; I just use weights or resistance bands (and recently got a light barbell set to do with my Les Mills Pump DVDs). If you're new to weight training, I suggest buying an at-home workout program (one of my favorites is ChaLean Extreme from Beachbody). In that program, the trainer shows you how you can do all your weight training at home with either weights or bands.

    I've been weight training at home for quite awhile so feel free to message me if you want more insight :)

    And I don't think a weight bench is really necessary. If you have money to spend, I'd suggest buying stronger bands or some heavier weights to use as you get stronger. You can still do bench presses lying on the floor.

    Hope that helps!
  • CassieReannan
    CassieReannan Posts: 1,479 Member
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    prove me wrong

    Here is a great work out that uses body weight. no gym or weights needed

    http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2009/12/09/beginner-body-weight-workout-burn-fat-build-muscle/

    Thanks for the link! I am looking into adding strength training into my workouts!
  • ritasice21
    ritasice21 Posts: 200 Member
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    I will def check out Chalean, I have heard of that but did not know it was weight training. Thanks so much!
  • McBully4
    McBully4 Posts: 1,270 Member
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    I am already using weights up to 8 pounds as well as 30 ds, jumping jacks, pushups, etc, I have lost 3 sizes and over 66 pounds,. My question was clearly should I buy a cheap weight bench if that is all I can afford!

    Well that's what you should have said because the answer is YES!

    I want you to succeed some days I come to the forums to lay down some tough love. Good luck !
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,248 Member
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    My question is, would a regular weight bench with curl pad and leg attachment, the kind that can only support a max of 100 pounds, get me that much further than dumbells and bands?

    Yes. That's pretty much what I have. I was using machines and the gym for about a year. This is just two months of lifting free weights at home.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/744311-free-weights-vs-machines-holy-crap

    Just this week, I started Stronglifts 5x5. I wasn't following a formal program before. I'm going to need more plates in a few weeks. :smile:
  • MrsLVF
    MrsLVF Posts: 787 Member
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    Yes, they are. & you don't need a complicated program. :smile:

    I always see benches & weights on craigslist for super cheap, & even free.
  • unsound
    unsound Posts: 31 Member
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    I know this isn't what you were asking about, but if you don't already know about it, it's worth checking out the You Are Your Own Gym program. Lots of libraries have the book and there's tons of stuff on the web about it. It's bodyweight-only strength training and it is VERY challenging.

    http://amzn.com/0971407614
    http://www.marklauren.com/

    If you have a smartphone, there are also good smartphone apps that will walk you through some of the workouts.

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