Gonna be taking a class that involves weights

[BornToFly]

It's called tone and trim and requires 3 to 5 pound weights. So I'm assuming we will be using them a lot. I've done some weight lifting, but not for an hour straight with bouncing around. I'm wondering what kind I should get. I don't want to go to low, or get the 5's, and have that be to hard. *shrugs*

Any ideas from more experienced weight trainers?

[nelie]

I used to use Firm videos back in the day and the highest weight used there was 12 lbs but I never owned 3 lb weights. I have no familiarity with a class where you provide your own weights but generally, it isn't really weight lifting, it may be called cardio weight lifting and you do a variety of different moves and your muscles generally don't reach fatigue. Also, it really depends on you. I had a friend who had difficulty doing 3 lb bicep curls. And different muscles generally have different fatigue levels like shoulders vs biceps.

If it was me, I'd probably buy the 5 lb weights and if they get to be too much, put them down during the class, do moves without them to rest then pick them back up again.

[ddc]

I'm surprised that you have to bring your own weights.
I use 3 lbers and 5 lbers. If you haven't used weights much, the 3lbs will probably give you a good burn at high repetitions. Especially on shoulder stuff. Sometimes I go down to 2lbs for shoulders!!
They're pretty cheap at Wal-Mart and Target, so it might not hurt to get both just in case. Have you asked the instructor??

Good luck

[BornToFly]

Thanks ladies!

Yes, it's bring your own weights and mat. They are done at a local HS gym. Small town.

I wanted enough that it was a challenge, but not to much that I end up hurt, you know? Seemed 3 was not enough but 5 maybe to much? Looked for 4 pound, but couldn't find any.

[Lydia227]

Did you have a good time? You can always bring both sets, three pounders and five pounders and switch when you need. Hope its a lot of fun for you.

[BornToFly]

Originally Posted by Lydia227

Did you have a good time? You can always bring both sets, three pounders and five pounders and switch when you need. Hope its a lot of fun for you.

Oh, it starts in Dec. Just trying to prepare myself. First class I've ever taken.

[Lydia227]

Wow. Well, you have time to plan. How awesome though to have this to look forward to as we roll into early winter. Nice.

[Tomato]

If the class doesn't start until December, you could start exercising at home (there is a ton of cheap DVD's around) - instead of buying weights, you can use a water bottle filled either with bottle or with sand. I don't know off the top of my head how much they weigh but that would be a good start. Based on that, you may find out that you don't need anything lower than 5 lbs and you may arrive to your first class armed with 5 and 7 lb dumbbells (instead of 3 and 5 lb ones).

[Eliana]

I take a body plus abs class, which is a class atmosphere weight lifting session. We use 2, 5 and 7.5 pound weights with a lot of reps. For my shoulders (lateral raises and front raises) I'm not sure I'll ever be able to do more than 5 pounds. But for everything else, when not in class, I'm up to 12 and 15 pounds.

I guess my point is there is a wide, wide range. I always feel like instructors underestimate women, but I enjoy heavy lifting. 3-5 seems really light to me for anything other than shoulders. I think what I would do is purchase 3 and 5 pound weights, take a class and go from there. They're not terribly expensive and maybe you could return them if they didn't work. I like having 5, 7.5, 10 and 12 pound weights myself.

One other little trick, I like the 1-2 pound weights because they're small. If I've been using 7.5 pounds and want to increase my weight but 10 seems insurmountable, I'll hold a 1-2 pound weight along with the 7.5 pound weight which makes it an instant 8.5-9.5 pound weight. It's just a little stepping stone but it makes a huge difference.

[WaterRat]

Alena/Tomato - Where have you been? We've missed you.