Dumbbells

BioQueen
BioQueen Posts: 694 Member
edited November 9 in Fitness and Exercise
Hey guys!

I was wondering if any of you have any tips or suggested online resources to getting started with lifting with dumbbells. I have access to my medical school's fitness center, so I have access to the range of weights. I'm just not sure where to start as far as how much to lift, reps, sets, and how I should progress.

Thanks!

Replies

  • lishie_rebooted
    lishie_rebooted Posts: 2,973 Member
    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/902569/barbell-routines-when-you-only-have-dumbbells#latest
  • CloudyMao
    CloudyMao Posts: 258 Member
    There's tons of online resources from simple sets you can do to programs like stronglifts.

    I would personally recommend stronglifts, as it's simple & easy to follow.

    Sparkpeople has a workout generator where you can enter your fitness level & what equipment you have access to, then it will give you a range of moves that will benifit you.
  • Vegas_Don
    Vegas_Don Posts: 367 Member
    edited December 2014
    If I may suggest, starting as light as possible to establish proper form, perform each routine applying full range of motion. P90X has some pretty cool dumbbell routines. Personally I avoid most conventional weight lifting equipment. To each his or her own. Best of luck. :)
  • BioQueen
    BioQueen Posts: 694 Member
    Awesome! Thank you all so much for your suggestions :)
  • Danny_Boy13
    Danny_Boy13 Posts: 2,094 Member
    CloudyMao wrote: »
    There's tons of online resources from simple sets you can do to programs like stronglifts.

    I would personally recommend stronglifts, as it's simple & easy to follow.

    Stronglifts recommends that you do not use dumbbells and use the barbell instead. The OP asked for dumbbell routines but I highly agree with your recommendation on SL if you are new to strength training and want an easy to follow plan with the barbell.
  • rachelrb85
    rachelrb85 Posts: 579 Member
    Danny_Boy13 wrote: »
    CloudyMao wrote: »
    There's tons of online resources from simple sets you can do to programs like stronglifts.

    I would personally recommend stronglifts, as it's simple & easy to follow.

    Stronglifts recommends that you do not use dumbbells and use the barbell instead. The OP asked for dumbbell routines but I highly agree with your recommendation on SL if you are new to strength training and want an easy to follow plan with the barbell.

    While you may not be able to do the exact SL5x5 routine with dumbbells, you can certainly do a dumbbell modified version of it. The lifts in this thread are pretty much the SL lifts anyway. http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/902569/barbell-routines-when-you-only-have-dumbbells#latest

    The only difference with dumbbells is that you will not progress as fast as you would with a barbell. Also, you might max out fairly quickly with squats and deadlifts since most dumbbells are a 50 lb max (100 lb total). I downloaded the SL 5x5 app on my phone and lifted with dumbbells for about a year. I saw progress and strength gains. If that's what you are looking for, it works.
  • ItIsTJ
    ItIsTJ Posts: 116 Member
    Great advice already in here but seeing that you're only starting off, I would recommend starting off with dumbbells - no matter how many people tell you to start hitting the barbells.

    Dumbbells will at least allow you to notice which side of your body is weaker (as we pretty much all have one) and therefor allow you to build the weaker side up. Thus decreasing the risk of injury.

    Start off light. Get the form correct and learn the techniques and cues. Build up from there.

    Good luck and all the best.
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