dumbell increase?

Hertford86
Hertford86 Posts: 55 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I need some advice from people who use weights. My 8lb dumbells are getting a little too easy, which is very nice (I know 8lb is super-wussy, but I'm 45 and a woman and have never been in any kind of shape ever in my life, so doing it at all is a big deal for me) so I went and bought myself some 12lb ones, hoping I could just skip over 10lb and save the money. But I can hardly do anything with them. So my question is - if keep at the 8lb a bit longer, maybe increase from 2 to 3 sets of 15, will that get me to where I can do the 12s, or do I really need to suck it up and get transitional 10lb ones? I have read stuff about increasing 5lb every single time, but that is so way far from where I am at.

Incidentally I use a dvd that my brother-in-law gave me - he's been doing it for years and is now made of cement. I know lots of people talk about barbells, and that's probably the best, but our "domestic arrangements" really don't allow it. So dumbells it is and will be.

Thanks for any advice.

Maria

Replies

  • lilpoindexter
    lilpoindexter Posts: 1,122 Member
    Yes, do more reps with the lighter weight, or do what you can with the heavier weights.
    I usually do 3 sets of 10 reps of x exercise, then when I move up to a heavier weight, I can probably only do 3 sets of 6/7 reps.
  • Hertford86
    Hertford86 Posts: 55 Member
    Thanks. I can't really do one set of one with the new ones - so I'll give it a few more weeks, and more reps at 8lbs, and then try again . .
  • ka97
    ka97 Posts: 1,984 Member
    Do some drop sets - do as many as you can with the heavier weight, then drop to the lower weight and complete the set. Each session, try to increase the number of reps with the heavier weight until you can do a full set.

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