[AlabamaAmy]

I'm looking to do exercise for toning. I don't really want big muscles. . . i'm more of a petite type person (not danty but petite). And that's what i like. Of course i do have big upper legs but. . . maybe if i can at least get them in shape they won't look so bad.

My question is: Will this weight bench be good enough for me to do a few leg exercises plus use my dumbells? I guess since i'm new to this whole thing i want to make sure i get something good but cheap (is that an oxymoron?). I don't want to use it one time and it fall apart. It's only like $50.

INFO from website:
"Suitable for use with most standard bars, the Competitor Standard Bench is built for a lifetime of body sculpting. Four oversized foam roller pads on the leg developer keep your legs comfortable during tough lifts and a special pivot point correctly aligns your knee joints for better biomechanics. Also comes with a preacher curl and adjustable bench. Made of deluxe, high-density upholstery."

"Versatile bench lets you perform seated leg extensions, arm curls, seated rows, decline presses, flat presses, incline presses and butterflies
Works your legs, arms, shoulders, back and chest
Dimensions: 57" L x 47" W x 47.5" H
Assembly required"

[Christina7806]

I have a very similar bench and have used it, problem free, for over a year.

[Jayjay55]

Have you thought about getting a stability ball and learning to do the weight training with it. Easier to move around than a bench. I am sure pretty much anything you do on a bench can be done on the ball - although I am no expert. I am currently enrolled in a bootcamp and just last night we did a ton of exercises with the stability ball -- with weights and without. Its truly a fabulous invention (and cheap LOL). There is a great workout video called 10 minute solutions. I have the ball and abs one. You can pick and choose which of the 10 minute workouts you want to do.

Again just my two cents and I have become a true believer that you don't need to purchase tons of expensive equipment -- our most important piece of equipment is our body itself.

Joanne

[AlabamaAmy]

Joanne,
Will a stability ball not hurt your back? There's not much there for support. Is there somewhere online i can go to find some good weighted exercises with a stability ball?

Thanks Christina7806. That makes me feel better.
I MAY try the stability ball thing first if i can find some good exercises. but i really like the idea of working my legs like it shows the machine/bench can do.

[sirak]

I am also a beginner and am very slowly working towards "big girl" weights.
My investment this month was a video ( I think it cost 7.00) at Walmart called "Gin Miller's Slim and Trim Dumbell Work" out. This is a Walmart and Danskin type sponsord thing. On the box it shows pictures of the Danskin Dumbells and it says " Any dumbells can be used. Danskin Now dumbells are availible here at Walmart" You buy it in the sporting good department.
There is a 45 minute workout with dumbells that is slow. It focuses on form and body positioning. I have books to explain these things- but never the less I feel better being able to do them with the DVD and see my reflection in a glass cabinet door.
Instead of a bench or a ball she uses a chair. I can't explain everything, but the chair helps you line up your body for lunges, something to sit on for quad extentions and a barre for kicks.It makes things really simple. I have good balence and end up using my ikea coffee table to sit on.
There is a bonus 20 minute cardio section that has basic low implact aerobics. I am still pretty big and she makes the workout challenging but simple. I don't feel like such a clod as I do with others.
The other bonus is Gin's personality. She has this down home type personality. Some of it is corn ball humor and some of it is this reassuring " you are doing this right if you are shaking" attitude. There is no pushing. She gives you stretches between lifts to do to help with flexiblity issues. Maybe it's my Southern soul, but it's like having the neighbor down the street that I have known for years teach me how to lift correctly. I can't think of any other fitness "personalities" that could do Elvis impressions and get away with it.
Watch it once before you pick up the weights. I have done it several times and now am stoping the tape, rewinding and doing sections with more reps, mixing up fives and tens or just doing the section again to feel the form.
Again- it's a beginner thing. I think there is a ball work out also. It's next on my list along with a ball- Happy Mother's Day to me !
ps- this might help for some ball basics

[shananigans]

I also use my ball for lifting. I'll sit on it to do overhead shoulder presses, roll down to an incline (lower back on the ball) for chest presses and dumbbell flies, you can also reverse and go face down for back flies and tricep kickbacks. It's great for doing pushups too, especially if you're like me and can’t do them up on your toes yet. I love my ball, it’s more useful for strength training than I ever would have imagined. That said I'd still like to get a bench, probably gonna wait till after we move before I get more stuff though.