5lb dumbells ok?
suzyy721
Posts: 52 Member
hello. im a beginner.
Can i gain weight if im doing the proper amount of squats,lunges and or other exercises using a set of 5lb dumbells? theyre pretty heavy for me.
My goal is to gain weight. and im eating a lot of calories as well.
Can i gain weight if im doing the proper amount of squats,lunges and or other exercises using a set of 5lb dumbells? theyre pretty heavy for me.
My goal is to gain weight. and im eating a lot of calories as well.
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Replies
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They may be heavy now, but what are you going to do for progression?
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10332083/which-lifting-program-is-the-best-for-you/p1
Have a look at the bodyweight programs in that list. They may be more helpful for you, as no dumbbells are involved and they get more challenging as you get stronger.
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if you are new to lifting is there a reason that you are starting off with a bulk?
do you know what your current body fat% is?2 -
i just want to gain weight in the right places , just about 20 lbs. and then maintain it. Im afraid i wont be able to handle a higher dumbbell.
Thanks for the information!0 -
i just want to gain weight in the right places , just about 20 lbs. and then maintain it. Im afraid i wont be able to handle a higher dumbbell.
Thanks for the information!
is joining a gym an option? If you want to gain 20 pounds you are going to need a structured lifting regimen with progressive overload built in and that revolves around compound movements....2 -
do you mean my calories being bulk or dumbells ? i have been eating a 2500 calorie diet every day now for a month. and now that i gained about 9 lbs i decided to start working out at home. i havent seen weight gain in the right places, just tummy
I'm trying to gain weight in the thighs area and arms mainly. Everyone says to work out. Any advice? I'm 5'3, was 102, now 109. Very skinny. Not sure what my BFP is 0 -
If you are eating calories over your maintenance, you will definitely gain weight; you just want to make sure it is the right kind--muscle, not fat--and progressively heavier lifting combined with proper eating is the key.
Although I am focusing on recomping, I started out with a set of 5,10 and 15 lb DBs about a year ago. It was a good start to build a base and make sure your form is in place, but as noted above, you will want to have a plan for progression; I have access to a full range of DBs at the gym and DBs up to 35 at home, but now I need to order a l'il baby barbell because I am deadlifting 100 lbs and benching 60 lbs and could do a bit more with the stability of a bar. But I still use the 5s and 10s for accessory work on finer muscles--lat raises, flys and such--on my higher rep "metabolic" days.
I still do a lot of bodyweight exercises as well.
The link above is an outstanding resource so if you haven't settled on a program already you should browse around a bit.
Also be sure to get a proper amount of protein and fat; since I am 140 lbs I am aiming for 112+ g protein a day, or about 35% protein and 35% fat for my macro goals.2 -
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She is underweight at 5'3" and 102 lbs--she put 7 lbs on which puts her right on the cusp of healthy/normal territory.3 -
@French_Peasant Thank you for getting/understanding me.
And for gud information. I appreciate it greatly
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French_Peasant wrote: »
She is underweight at 5'3" and 102 lbs--she put 7 lbs on which puts her right on the cusp of healthy/normal territory.
whoops, missed that, thanks.
OP, it sounds like maybe your goal should of been to add 10 pounds, not 20..?
Maybe you should eat at maintenance and start a workout program?2 -
@French_Peasant Thank you for getting/understanding me.
And for gud information. I appreciate it greatly
Dude. I remember the first day I opened my workouts from my trainer/nephew and saw a bunch of freaky lifts: Romanian deadlift???!!! Bulgarian split squat???!!! I just about died, and I definitely felt weak, intimidated, and awkward.
You will be amazed at what you can do if you take the bull by the horns, work tenaciously with an eye to eventually making it from the pink weights, to the purple weights, to the scary gray metal weights, and properly fuel your body and your lifts. I lifted for half a year until I was confident enough to hit the free weights at the gym. 4 -
hello. im a beginner.
Can i gain weight if im doing the proper amount of squats,lunges and or other exercises using a set of 5lb dumbells? theyre pretty heavy for me.
My goal is to gain weight. and im eating a lot of calories as well.
You're also pregnant according to your other thread?2 -
TavistockToad wrote: »hello. im a beginner.
Can i gain weight if im doing the proper amount of squats,lunges and or other exercises using a set of 5lb dumbells? theyre pretty heavy for me.
My goal is to gain weight. and im eating a lot of calories as well.
You're also pregnant according to your other thread?
Sooooooooooooo....if that is the case THAT is some very useful background information to know, and--I might be going out on a limb here--might explain the weight in the belly?
If so, you should only be doing exercises approved by your doctor, and you definitely need to fuel that growing baby properly. I did a lot of yoga when I was pregnant.1 -
TavistockToad wrote: »hello. im a beginner.
Can i gain weight if im doing the proper amount of squats,lunges and or other exercises using a set of 5lb dumbells? theyre pretty heavy for me.
My goal is to gain weight. and im eating a lot of calories as well.
You're also pregnant according to your other thread?
File that under 'This Changes Everything!'7 -
OP, my advice here is the same as in your other thread - talk to your doctor!3
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TavistockToad wrote: »hello. im a beginner.
Can i gain weight if im doing the proper amount of squats,lunges and or other exercises using a set of 5lb dumbells? theyre pretty heavy for me.
My goal is to gain weight. and im eating a lot of calories as well.
You're also pregnant according to your other thread?
File that under 'This Changes Everything!'
Seriously.
OP, this is the kind of thing you need to mention when you are asking for advice. You can lift light weights/high reps while pregnant, but there are a lot of things you need to take into consideration, like, no glute bridges or other lifts where you would be lying on your back. And don't think about progressing beyond 15 lb DBs until a good year from now. And get everything cleared by your doctor. And EAT RIGHT!!2 -
You should start with a weight that you can handle with proper form. If 5 pounds is that weight stick with it until it becomes too easy. But form comes first.1
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TavistockToad wrote: »hello. im a beginner.
Can i gain weight if im doing the proper amount of squats,lunges and or other exercises using a set of 5lb dumbells? theyre pretty heavy for me.
My goal is to gain weight. and im eating a lot of calories as well.
You're also pregnant according to your other thread?
File that under 'This Changes Everything!'TavistockToad wrote: »hello. im a beginner.
Can i gain weight if im doing the proper amount of squats,lunges and or other exercises using a set of 5lb dumbells? theyre pretty heavy for me.
My goal is to gain weight. and im eating a lot of calories as well.
You're also pregnant according to your other thread?
File that under 'This Changes Everything!'
Cosign0 -
@TavistockToad im sorry for the confusion. im not pregnant. yet. just needed the info. planning to.0
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@ndj1979 i did gain almost 10 lbs, but havent changed the way i wanted to. i look the same thats why im aiming 20. i dont know why all this calorie surplus ppl were advising me to commit to hasnt helped me see results. thats why i asked about the dumbbells. jus want to kno if the 5lb dumbells with consistent workout will help. thanks for all of your information, i appreciate it 0
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Here is a realistic answer:
Gaining 20 lb's in the "right places" is impossible. When you are on a caloric surplus, you will gain a lot of fat with the muscle. Guys usually pack on more muscle, where women gain less muscles. Either case, a lot more than half of that 20lb's will be fat.
Most people "bulk" basically staying on caloric surplus while on a good weight-lifting program, with isolation moves included gain the fat & muscles, and then cut, continuing the weight-lifting, losing as little muscle as possible while shedding the fat. You might see immediate results at first after activating the said muscles but that wont really be a "real" gain. The location of the fat gain is purely genetic, you can't really help that.
As for the "right places", I am going to assume thighs and glutes, which 5 lb dumbbells will not create optimal results to be honest. You need to have bigger loads on your muscles for them to grow. Things like Barbell Hip Thrusts, heavier squats, and deadlifts. This might be the reason why you aren't seeing results, you are not pushing the muscles enough to increase in size.
I would get on a small caloric surplus, and get in a serious lifting program if I wanted to build that kind of serious muscle (20 lb's of muscle is serious stuff), or lower my expectations and aim for something realistic that I can achieve with 5 lb dumbbells, which is not so much. You can take your time and increase the weight slowly anyways. None starts their lifting journey with super heavy lifts.
As for pregnancy.. I have no idea.7 -
5lbs might feel heavy to start with but you will soon progress (trust me,I felt the same!)
If you do become pregnant you should get advice from your doctor about lifting.2 -
This from subcounter ^^^ is great advice. From what I have read, it is a lot easier to be fat and work your way down to muscle than to be skinny and work your way up; I started at 180 and have worked down to 140 while preserving the muscle that I have, and there may or may not have been an incidental dirty bulk over Christmas.
I think the rule of thumb I have read is that women can put on a pound of muscle a month with a very dedicated program and correct nutrition. Another thing that you should look into is the matter of "newbie gains." Basically, when you start, you have a sweet spot of a few months where you may be able to put on more muscle than average just because you are brand new. So, you are going to want to take advantage of that. I looked around a little and thought this was a good article for someone who is skinny: http://bonytobeastly.com/ectomorphs-newbie-gains-guide/
One of the lifts mentioned in the article are goblet squats, and this is something where you will probably rapidly progress to needing more weight. The good thing about a lift like this is that you could use something heavy around the house, for example, a large rock or a jar filled with coins, if you don't want to invest in heavier weights right now. But goblet squats and glute bridges are something where you will rapidly progress into 20, 30, 40 or more lbs. You might also want to consider buying a single DB or kettlebell at the higher weights if your budget allows it. As you progress, you can use the single weight to do single-leg Romanian deadlifts, single arm floor presses, single arm rows, Kroc rows, KB or DB swings, step-ups, lunges, etc.
Bottom line, you don't want to waste your potential for newbie gains.2 -
you can always look into "you are your own gym" and start there..once you have maxed that program out maybe you can join a gym or get heavier dumbbells..1
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@subcounter , thank you SO much for taking the time to write and offer advice. Actually everything you have said makes a lot of sense. Looks like you know your stuff. It's cause everyone offers diff advise so it gets confusing. You see, i never cared for muscles or 20 lbs, my real goal was just to gain weight in my thighs and arms as i have always been underweight, period. but everywhere you ask for advice ppl always say to pack on muscle and not fat. i could settle for 10lbs, but i HAVE gained almost 10 lbs recently after the calorie surplus, just not sure where it all went i appreciate your advice and opinion. Thank you ! 0
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@French_Peasant
wow, your words, very very helpful and inspiring. I think im going to take your word on the goblet squat , etc. it's reassuring considering i have heard it in a few places but wasnt sure. Can i start with the 5lb? or 10lb? or must the beginning be a higher dumbbell?
THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR ADVICE. XOXO 0 -
@comptonelizabeth can i still see some results with the 5lbs, or thats just to start me off and then i have to progress to higher weights?
Thanks for your words 0
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