I want to get stronger, what weight of dumbbell should I use?

purpleshoes_2 · 8 July 2014 at 10:27PM

I asked a few people in the gym tonight what their stats were but they told me to sod off so any answer you get is going to be a bit off.

Just_a_Girl_2 · 9 July 2014 at 8:16AM

heartbreak_star wrote: »

My favourites hit all 3 PB's last night :j

HBS x

Nice work HBS! I'm aiming for a 140kg deadlift on Friday - eek!

Idiophreak · 9 July 2014 at 9:12AM

purpleshoes wrote: »

I asked a few people in the gym tonight what their stats were but they told me to sod off so any answer you get is going to be a bit off.

Whenever I approach women in the street and ask for their stats, I get much the same response. Weird, huh?

fufu_banterwaite · 10 July 2014 at 12:04PM

I am going to try and steer this thread back on track a bit! I don’t go to the gym and don’t intend to. I do however have two sets of dumbbells and all the necessary weights, a weight bench and a pull up bar.

How easy is it to build a decent physique (I’m not talking Arnold Schwarzenegger standards) using just this equipment? When I’ve got my ultramarathon out of the way I am going to set myself up with a weights routine as I am naturally very slim and would like to build myself up a little.

Obviously I will deal with the nutrition side of things as well.

purpleshoes_2 · 10 July 2014 at 12:18PM

fufu_banterwaite wrote: »

I am going to try and steer this thread back on track a bit! I don’t go to the gym and don’t intend to. I do however have two sets of dumbbells and all the necessary weights, a weight bench and a pull up bar.

How easy is it to build a decent physique (I’m not talking Arnold Schwarzenegger standards) using just this equipment? When I’ve got my ultramarathon out of the way I am going to set myself up with a weights routine as I am naturally very slim and would like to build myself up a little.

Obviously I will deal with the nutrition side of things as well.

You might want to look into some articles about building muscle by exercising and upping your calories, that is taking in more cals than your body needs.

Tbh, just lifting the weights is beneficial anyway, but if you want to achieve specific goals maybe speak to someone about getting a programme put together even if you do it on your own at home

Some people put muscle on easily, genetics obviously plays a part

NatMast_2 · 10 July 2014 at 12:36PM

I started off lightly, just with 3kg and when I wasn't struggling on the last couple of reps I upped it a kg at a time. I find myself stuck on around 10-12kg. It very much depends on the person. I'm a 5ft 1 female and my arms are getting more defined but not necessarily too muscular (shame) but that's down to me also losing weight at the same time. It's conflicting at times!

purpleshoes_2 · 10 July 2014 at 1:11PM

NatMast wrote: »

I started off lightly, just with 3kg and when I wasn't struggling on the last couple of reps I upped it a kg at a time. I find myself stuck on around 10-12kg. It very much depends on the person. I'm a 5ft 1 female and my arms are getting more defined but not necessarily too muscular (shame) but that's down to me also losing weight at the same time. It's conflicting at times!

To get more defined youd need to lift heavier

Im also a five foot 1 female. I have muscular calves as Ive always done exercise such as high impact aerobics and Ive ended up with strong calves, Ive poor upper body strength by comparison and I do lift but I am by no means muscular

My brother on the other hand who is a PT is, but hes deadlifting anything up to 200kgs at a time and bench pressing 100

Im also losing weight, but I think the reason you arent muscular isnt so much to do with your diet, but the fact that you need to lift heavier weights if thats your goal

StuC75 · 10 July 2014 at 1:14PM

Would seem you've not seen the dozens of Internet Meme's that deal with 'Do you lift'.. Hence my post started a little light hearted reference to that..

Most would realise that the op's question was too open to actually answer sensibly - too many unknown factors to give answer,, so would always be best speaking to someone at the gym (like a trainer) who could gauge the Op's physical size and stature \ age and expectations from training (Tone or bulk),, and devise a sensible schedule from there which would be reviewed and pushed ... When it comes to training the only comparison is to yourself and your own bests!...

Angry_Bear wrote: »

While I agree with the rest of your post, I think this might be the worst answer I've ever seen (including 11.34kg ).

If you don't ever ask, how would anyone know where to start? While expecting some magic average value to be given is daft, asking questions is surely the way to get started with anything.