My dummbells are too heavy but I still want to use them

iceycoldhot
iceycoldhot Posts: 72 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I bought 20 pound dumbbells for upper body. What happens is I can do 1 set of 8. The next set I can only do 5. The last set I can only do 3. People say if this happens your weight is too heavy. I want to continue to lift heavy though. Is there a good solution to this? If I continues to lift in this way would it be okay?

Replies

  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    Sounds like you have about the right weight. Just don't stop until you hit your reps on each set.
  • iceycoldhot
    iceycoldhot Posts: 72 Member
    So it is okay if I cannot do 8 reps each set? I thought you had to do a certain amount for each set. But I notice that with each set I can't do what I did in the previous set.
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    Do every rep. If you have to rest a brief moment to catch your breath, fine. Don't put those weights down.

    It will suck, it will be uncomfortable, but that's how awesome is made.
  • pirate_john_75
    pirate_john_75 Posts: 96 Member
    Take a longer break before sets, too.
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    No break longer than what is needed, and always no more than half what is wanted.
  • iceycoldhot
    iceycoldhot Posts: 72 Member
    That doesn't really answer my question.

    I physically cannot lift more than 6 reps my 2nd set, and 3 on my 3rd. It's not a matter of pushing myself, I just cannot lift that much with proper form. My question was, it is okay to do less reps with each set or do I have to be at a weight where I do an even amount of reps, lowest being 8 reps.
  • ThePhoenixIsRising
    ThePhoenixIsRising Posts: 781 Member
    What you are doing is fine. You could also drop to 3sets of 6reps if you want.

    When I train I do first set 12reps second set increase weight to get only 6 reps third set drop weight to hit 10 or more to failure.
  • iceycoldhot
    iceycoldhot Posts: 72 Member
    What you are doing is fine. You could also drop to 3sets of 6reps if you want.

    When I train I do first set 12reps second set increase weight to get only 6 reps third set drop weight to hit 10 or more to failure.

    Thanks!!
  • SueInAz
    SueInAz Posts: 6,592 Member
    It sounds to me like 20 pounds is a great place for you to start.

    It may not be anyone else's idea of the "right" way to lift but this is working for me quite well so far. I started by picking a weight I could lift for 4 reps and for 4 sets. I keep increasing the number of reps each session until I can do 4 sets of 8 reps with perfect form. Once I've hit that point, I move up to the next weight level and start over again doing as many reps as I can (probably 4 or 5) for 4 sets. And repeat. One thing to note, I don't lift to failure. If I feel like I'm not going to be able to do the next rep all of the way and with the right form I don't attempt it.

    ETA: I don't think there's any problems with you doing less reps in the later sets but it might be better (for your self esteem, if nothing else) to take that total number of reps and split it between the sets rather than decreasing each set.

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