Lifting Weights at Home Beginner

whatusaid
whatusaid Posts: 41 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I am new to this lifting weights thing and am loving it. I only have dumbbells and am saving money for more equipment. I need some help though, because I am doing this on my own by just finding things online. Could anyone give me advice on workouts? I would like to strengthen my arms, abs, and legs. Any and all advice would be awesome! Thanks in advance!

Replies

  • accelerashawn
    accelerashawn Posts: 470 Member
    Compound movements are key to building a good foundation.
    Those include various presses, overhead press, incline/flat/decline bench presses, pushups
    Also various pulls, like pullups, lat pull downs, bent over rows, lawnmower pulls
    Then various lower/full body movements, like squats, deadlifts, dumbbell cleans, lunges

    I would split your days to do upper body then lower body. Most of the above lifts will activate your core as well.
  • littlefoot612
    littlefoot612 Posts: 156 Member
    I'm in the same boat. I only have 3lb dumbbells and just doing arms for now and also doing a step workout and a little bit of yoga. So far I'm just doing the weights from online demos and yoga from a tv show. I could some advice too.
  • TR0berts
    TR0berts Posts: 7,739 Member
    Pick a tried and true routine, such as StrongLifts, Starting Strength, or AllPro's routine. Google them, to find out more. Then read the below link and apply it.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/902569-barbell-routines-when-you-only-have-dumbbells
  • whatusaid
    whatusaid Posts: 41 Member
    Thank you! I've been trying to split the upper and lower body. Glad to know I have been doing something right :)
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    ChaLEAN Extreme is a good program that uses dumbbells.
  • DStroyNKonker
    DStroyNKonker Posts: 19 Member
    Hey, good for you for getting into weight lifting! The best way to burn calories and strengthen your body!
    I'm a fan of joining an online group or doing online challenges (Like the bodyrock.tv 30 day challenge). They teach you the exercises and you don't need alot of equipment.
    I also worked with a trainer one time who showed me a ton of dumbell exercises and taught me how to create a workout plan. It's worth it especially because technique is very important.
    I prefer to work with barbells (squats, bench presses and deadlifts) but you can do all of those exercises with dumbells too.
    Youtube is your friend:)
  • whatusaid
    whatusaid Posts: 41 Member
    This is perfect! Thank you!
  • whatusaid
    whatusaid Posts: 41 Member
    Pick a tried and true routine, such as StrongLifts, Starting Strength, or AllPro's routine. Google them, to find out more. Then read the below link and apply it.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/902569-barbell-routines-when-you-only-have-dumbbells


    The StrongLifts app looks awesome! I am downloading it on my phone right now. Thanks for the link!
  • BlueBombers
    BlueBombers Posts: 4,064 Member
    Compound movements are key to building a good foundation.
    Those include various presses, overhead press, incline/flat/decline bench presses, pushups
    Also various pulls, like pullups, lat pull downs, bent over rows, lawnmower pulls
    Then various lower/full body movements, like squats, deadlifts, dumbbell cleans, lunges

    I would split your days to do upper body then lower body. Most of the above lifts will activate your core as well.

    ^THIS!!
  • clambert1273
    clambert1273 Posts: 840 Member
    can also look at Nerdfitness.com I believe they have some bodyweight/dumbbell exercises while you save :)
  • bostonwolf
    bostonwolf Posts: 3,038 Member
    I'm in the same boat. I only have 3lb dumbbells and just doing arms for now and also doing a step workout and a little bit of yoga. So far I'm just doing the weights from online demos and yoga from a tv show. I could some advice too.

    Go on Craigs List and buy bigger dumbbells. If you can do more than 12 reps without muscle failure on the last rep, you are not using enough weights.

    There are plenty of Youtube videos out there on the proper for needed for the exercises mentioned in the response above. Best to try to mimic those as closely as possible.
  • littlefoot612
    littlefoot612 Posts: 156 Member
    I'm in the same boat. I only have 3lb dumbbells and just doing arms for now and also doing a step workout and a little bit of yoga. So far I'm just doing the weights from online demos and yoga from a tv show. I could some advice too.

    Go on Craigs List and buy bigger dumbbells. If you can do more than 12 reps without muscle failure on the last rep, you are not using enough weights.

    There are plenty of Youtube videos out there on the proper for needed for the exercises mentioned in the response above. Best to try to mimic those as closely as possible.

    Thank you. I just increased to 15 reps this week so I will invest in some 5 and 10lb dumbbells. I definitely feel the muscles working but I wouldn't say I get muscle failure (no shakiness anymore when I get to the end).
  • whatusaid
    whatusaid Posts: 41 Member
    I've been using 10 lb dumbbells for each arm and by my 3rd rep of 10 I am all sorts of shaky. My arms are so weak! BUT they WILL get stronger! Thank you everyone for your input. I appreciate it!
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    I am new to this lifting weights thing and am loving it. I only have dumbbells and am saving money for more equipment. I need some help though, because I am doing this on my own by just finding things online. Could anyone give me advice on workouts? I would like to strengthen my arms, abs, and legs. Any and all advice would be awesome! Thanks in advance!

    Best advice I can give, invest in hiring a professional lifting coach to teach you the proper movement patterns for the basic compound lifts.

    It's an inexpensive investment in protecting your physical health and safety.

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