Starting Jillian Michaels 30 day shred... need help please

I'm planning on using my 5 lb weight for the shred.. is that okay for weight or should I be doing something lighter/heavier???
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Replies

  • Msaip
    Msaip Posts: 482 Member
    5 pounds should be great! Some people can not even use 5 pounds so thats awesome!!!

    I'm starting it again tonight!
  • JeSuisPrest
    JeSuisPrest Posts: 2,005 Member
    It depends on what you can handle. I started out with 3lb weights and struggled! 7 months later I have worked myself up to 5 lb weights, if you have lighter ones I'd start there and see how it goes.
  • isaacs06
    isaacs06 Posts: 75 Member
    you're doing better than me - i'm getting ready to start - just went out and bought me some 2lb weights lol. baby steps.
  • kristin1125
    kristin1125 Posts: 61 Member
    You will be able to tell after day one if the 5lb weight is too heavy/light.

    I started with 5lb weights and switched to 3lb weights - eventually I worked my way up to the 5s.

    Good luck. I'm actually starting 30DS again today!!
  • VanessaGS
    VanessaGS Posts: 514 Member
    I just finished that video last week. I used a 5 lb weight but if you feel like your arms are not burning then I would go up. Try to stick to five lbs. Don't go any less. Good luck.
  • Dawn3218
    Dawn3218 Posts: 80
    I use 5lbs weights :smile:
  • VictoriaK1993
    VictoriaK1993 Posts: 45 Member
    Woot good for you =) I'm figuring since I am fairly active and also do weight training at the gym 5 lbs should be okay... I'm so excited for this!!!
  • Fit_Forever25
    Fit_Forever25 Posts: 313 Member
    It depends how much you can lift with those jumping and other cardio exercises
    When I did this workout I thought it would be easy to lift 3-5lbs but 5lbs was though for me coz she always incorporate whole body (lower + upper) in each of the strength moves
    so I started with 3 lbs and then by week 3 I was lifting 5
    good luck!
    if you can start with 5 its good enough
  • Leslie85
    Leslie85 Posts: 265 Member
    5lbs is great! You do a lot of arm work- especially in level 1- so anything heavier and your arms might give out before the work out is over.
  • VictoriaK1993
    VictoriaK1993 Posts: 45 Member
    I think I'll stick to my 5 lb weights then hehe... I like a challenge =)
  • amysuespears
    amysuespears Posts: 127
    I'm on Day 12 and still using 3lb weights... I would probably have a stroke if I moved up to 5lbs right now. But, everyone is different. I'd start out with 3lbs and, if it's not enough of a challenge, move up to 5lbs. You don't want to start too heavy and not be able to do it... that causes people to become discouraged. The workout is hard enough without adding too much weight. :)
  • amivox
    amivox Posts: 441 Member
    Oh, 5 lbs will be plenty, especially if you aren't used to lifting weights to begin with. Jillian and the girls in the video use 5 lb weights. There are some exercises that seem super hard with 5 lbs, and there are some that seem a little easier with the 5 lbs. At least thats how it was for me. I just finished the whole thing on Saturday. I was down 6 lbs and almost 6 inches. Its a really great workout and it keeps your heart rate up. I feel a lot stronger after completing it. Good luck!
  • doonesbury
    doonesbury Posts: 281 Member
    I used 5 lb weights for about the first week. Now I use 8 lb weights for everything but squat and press. I still use 5 lb weights for that, but going to try for 8s soon. And for some, like chest rise, I wish I had 10 lb. Going to get those soon. I am on Day 28. God speed!
  • msudaisy28
    msudaisy28 Posts: 267 Member
    I used 5lb weights when I did it last month - they are the only hand weights that I have. There was only one exercise in Level 2 that was too hard for me to do with that amount of weight (I would do it with them until I couldn't anymore then just do the rest of the reps without weights at all), and there were a couple of exercises throughout the levels where I wished that I had heavier weights. When I do it again I would like to have a few different weights available to use something that is challenging enough!
  • miller1208
    miller1208 Posts: 25
    Your muscles will have some good days and bad. There are days when I can do 10 lbs, but most days are 5 lbs. And some days, I can't even handle the weights (hello, V squat on level 2). Do the most you can without straining. If it's not challenging, then your muscles won't benefit.
  • Is this a DVD that you can buy?? I am intrested in giving this a try... I have about 8 more pounds to go for my first goal weight and I seem to be at a Halt... Thank you!
  • VictoriaK1993
    VictoriaK1993 Posts: 45 Member
    You can buy the dvd, however the three phases of the workout are also up on youtube, which is what I am using.
  • jayrdubya78
    jayrdubya78 Posts: 51 Member
    How are y'alls knees holding up with Jillian's 30-day shred. I've been reading reviews on Amazon and, while most are good, a lot of people are complaining about how the lunges and butt-kicks are tearing up their knees. I'm wondering if their just whiners or if this workout is seriously bad on your knees. Both my wife and I have very small knee problems, not a big deal, but I'd hate to do the 30-day shred and end up destroying my knees. Thanks for the feedback. You can add me if you like.
  • serentity78
    serentity78 Posts: 89 Member
    I am using just 2 pounds but for me I am very out of shape and its just what I had....I am on day 8 tonight of first level. I almost feel like if I can do most anyone can but its a challenge for me...LOL For jayrdubya78 my knees hurt a tad but not too bad and my feet hurt from I think the impact of so much jumping. I still do it 6 days a week and really like 30 day shred!
  • VictoriaK1993
    VictoriaK1993 Posts: 45 Member
    Just finished day 1 of the 30 day shred with 5 lb weights... sweat absolutely pouring down my body and I feel amazing. Ohhh yea this is going to whip me into shape!!
  • kathleenp518
    kathleenp518 Posts: 48 Member
    I'm using 3 lbs. but I'm thinking of switching to 5 lbs.
  • sulci
    sulci Posts: 13 Member
    I use 2.5 lb weights cuz i'm very out of shape and it kills me haha. i'm on day 8 level 1
  • jenniprr
    jenniprr Posts: 119
    I have a question...I want to start 30 Day Shred. I strength train twice a week. Would this DVD take the place of my strength training at the gym?
  • Sassafras4
    Sassafras4 Posts: 22 Member
    Just bought 30DS today! Any advice that will help me beforehand? 3 - 5 pound weights?
  • Spanaval
    Spanaval Posts: 1,200 Member
    I have a question...I want to start 30 Day Shred. I strength train twice a week. Would this DVD take the place of my strength training at the gym?

    When you say strength training, do you mean you're lifting heavy, or that you're doing lighter weights with higher reps? If it's the former, no, it doesn't. If it's the latter, it could. Either way, you could just keep what you're doing, and do this another day.
  • jenniprr
    jenniprr Posts: 119
    Well, I probably don't qualify as a heavy lifter. I just wasn't sure if I was doing the 30 Day Shred most of the week if my muscles would be too fatigued for the weights and vice versa. Thanks for your help!
  • butterfli7o
    butterfli7o Posts: 1,319 Member
    I tried with five pounds and for me it was HARD!! I thought five pounds would be nothing. But my arms were killing me at the end of the first day. So I went and bought 3-lb weights and I plan on alternating them until I get some arm strength!
  • paulaviki
    paulaviki Posts: 678 Member
    I'm using 2lb weights and that's hard enough for me but I have weak arms do will build up to heavier weights once it stops being hard just using the small weights!
  • thefreebiemom
    thefreebiemom Posts: 191 Member
    How are y'alls knees holding up with Jillian's 30-day shred. I've been reading reviews on Amazon and, while most are good, a lot of people are complaining about how the lunges and butt-kicks are tearing up their knees. I'm wondering if their just whiners or if this workout is seriously bad on your knees. Both my wife and I have very small knee problems, not a big deal, but I'd hate to do the 30-day shred and end up destroying my knees. Thanks for the feedback. You can add me if you like.

    I have a knee injury that was bad enough my first year in college that I had to leave the military program and scholarship that I was in. The only thing that really hurts my knees is jumping jacks but I modify them even though she says there is no modification for them. I have never had knee pain on the lunges and I am not fit enough to really do the butt kicks so I modify those as well. She does explain in the video for the lunges and the lateral side lunge things how to properly do the move and what not to do so that you don't hurt your knees. So yes if you do them wrong it can hurt your knees or ankles bad but if you do them correctly like she shows you then you shouldn't have any trouble. And there are modifications for most things for people who have poor range of motion.
  • dotti1121
    dotti1121 Posts: 751 Member
    What other materials/props do you need for the 30-day shred? Just hand weights?