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I think A LOT of exercises can be done with body weight only with great efficacy. With 3 pounds, you might as well just curl your fist over and over.
Look, I'm not trying to be jerky about this. I think if you have to start with a lower weight just to understand the motion and form, then that's a good thing...focus on doing it right. But let's not pretend that anyone's heart rate is going up with a 3 pound curl. And if you're that out of shape, there are other things you should be focusing on doing first (instead of isolated small muscle group exercises).
I'm sorry...even in middle school, 10 pounds was too light for this woman. 5'6" and 120 pounds at the end of high school.
3 years ago, I was bench pressing 240 pounds.
10 pounds? You lift that every single day without thinking about it.
And who is saying anything about form? Form is paramount.
I just think people psych themselves out. Five pounds? Seriously? I just gave my baby son a five pound dumbbell to play with the other day while I was doing something in our home gym...he's EIGHT MONTHS OLD. No uninjured human adult needs to start with 5 pounds.
It depends on the individual. There are lots of older women, out of shape women, petite women who simply cannot start out with 10 lbs. And why should they? They need to lift what they can, they will get stronger as they go. Your reasoning is extremely faulty if not downright dangerous. How can you have good form if the weight you are lifting is too heavy for you?
I have worked with PT's and again, they will be the first to tell you to start small and go from there. Please do not keep posting this misinformation.
It depends on the individual. There are lots of older women, out of shape women, petite women who simply cannot start out with 10 lbs. And why should they? They need to lift what they can, they will get stronger as they go. Your reasoning is extremely faulty if not downright dangerous. How can you have good form if the weight you are lifting is too heavy for you?
I have worked with PT's and again, they will be the first to tell you to start small and go from there. Please do not keep posting this misinformation.
I have worked with a lot of PTs as well (including the one that comes and spends an hour a day 4-5 times a week at my house) and their number one complaint is that people psych themselves out far too often. It makes their job a lot harder when they have to convince you that yes, you can do something. It's their job to understand and work within your limits.
I am not arguing that good form and safety is the number one priority. I would never argue that. I am arguing the notion that there is this vast population of healthy adults who get any kind of a workout from a 3 or 5 pound dumbbell curl.
It depends on the individual. There are lots of older women, out of shape women, petite women who simply cannot start out with 10 lbs. And why should they? They need to lift what they can, they will get stronger as they go. Your reasoning is extremely faulty if not downright dangerous. How can you have good form if the weight you are lifting is too heavy for you?
I have worked with PT's and again, they will be the first to tell you to start small and go from there. Please do not keep posting this misinformation.
I gave the opposite problem. PT tend to start me with very low weights and frankly it is too easy. I have done sessions here and there and found that many PTs don't want to give women heavier weights.
I can leg press 200# and chest press 50#. I can handle a minute straight of planks. I don't need to start with 10# bench presses. My suitcase weighs 40#.
Thanks all for the responses I don't doubt that there are those that do "gain" easily when lifting. I just can't understand why some people would discourage it. I feel like I can do anything after I lift. The only problem I noticed is trying to find a spot to work because the guys are crowding the area.
I also agree that when lifting to start small. The amount you lift should not sacrifice good form and posture. I've seen people brag about how much they lift but compromise good form for it. Not to mention have fun!
I think a lot of PTs are more guilty of not paying enough attention to actually challenge their clients then overburdening them with too much weight.
I agree there are a lot of not so great PT's out there. Before they even start with a client they need to know the goals and the client needs to know what to expect. I have been very fortunate with the PT's at my gym. They listen, they educate and they challenge. I have them to thank for my ongoing success. Every six months or so I will hire one to give me new stuff and it always kicks my butt.
I would like to see one of these weightlifters do a Zumba class. Talk about being "scared."
I don't know exactly who you are referring to, but it is a myth that people who lift weights ignore cardio. I do some form of cardio five times a week. I may PREFER weights, but cardio is just as important.
I suggest you look at the Powerful Women training logs on t-muscle.com. These women put emphasis on both cardio and weights.
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