5'2" gals - how much weight do you lift

sixpacklady
sixpacklady Posts: 582 Member
edited January 2 in Fitness and Exercise
I am new to strength training and just curious how much weights (dumbells) people my size are using? How much did you start with and where are you now?

I use 3 and 5 lbs mostly. I could use 10lbs for some exercises though.

Replies

  • LKD87
    LKD87 Posts: 21
    Depends on the exercise, but I usually use 10lb as the lightest and 25lb at the heaviest... hoping to up my weight soon though!
  • Tilran
    Tilran Posts: 627 Member
    There is no real answer to this...do as much as possible while keeping good form and completing your routine....as it gets easier...go heavier.
  • JustJennie1
    JustJennie1 Posts: 3,749 Member
    It completely depends.

    Shoulders I'm a light weight because that's the toughest muscle for me. I usually do 15-30 lbs. depending on the exercise. Shoulder presses 30-35; side raises and front raises: 15-20

    Chest I'm up to 40lbs on the press; 30-35 on the fly

    Bi's: 30-35 max

    Tri's - depending on what I'm doing if it's over head presses 40-45lbs; kick backs: 25lbs; skull crushers: 30 lbs.

    I personally up my weight every set. I start with a fairly light weight for the first set and then work my way up to the max that I can do on the third set. I try to get 10 reps in but when I do it this way on the second set I struggle to get 8 and on the third set 5 is an issue. When this happens I'll drop weight and finish it out even if I have to drop the weight twice in order to get 10. If you slowly increase each set you'll definitely find yourself lifting a lot heavier in no time.
  • sixpacklady
    sixpacklady Posts: 582 Member
    Thank you all for the reply.

    Are you sure you are 5'2" ? LOL.

    I guess I am really a newbie :happy:
  • JustJennie1
    JustJennie1 Posts: 3,749 Member
    Thank you all for the reply.

    Are you sure you are 5'2" ? LOL.

    I guess I am really a newbie :happy:

    LOL! I am. I swear!

    In all seriousness though I have been working out "seriously" for the past two years and I have my husband to spot me and urge me on when I'm wussing out.:blushing:

    ETA: believe me when I started I was NOT lifting heavy at all. The first time I was able to get into the 20's when I was doing shoulders was the greatest day ever. It just takes time. When it starts getting really easy for you (I don't know how many reps you're doing) but if say you're doing 10 and by the tenth you're not even a little bit fatigued then it's time to up your weight.
  • newhabit
    newhabit Posts: 426 Member
    I'm not sure your height has anything to do with it. it's more about how much muscle you already have. if you're new to it, no matter what your height, you will have to start out with smaller weights. as you get stronger you can probably use 10lb and up to 25lb on some of the exercises.
  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    Your height has nothing to do with your strength. Start with whatever you're comfortable with and as that weight becomes easy move up. If you aren't working to fatigue at the end of your sets then you need to up the weight.
  • ukulele2010
    ukulele2010 Posts: 126 Member
    Height has very little to do with strength - I mean - there are some lever arms involved in some of these lifts but not many... And, really, height would likely NOT guide your training - most people lift with some training regimen like 2x8 3x10, 5x5 whatever - at a weight they can control.
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