What weight dumbbells should I use? This is a question I get a lot.

It’s an important one because we want to choose a weight that is heavy enough to maintain and build muscle mass but not so heavy that we risk injury.

What Weight Dumbbells Should I Use?

If you are new to weights or recovering from an injury, I recommend starting with lighter weights such as 1 to 5 pounds and build from there.

If you have been using weights for a while, however, you may be using 5 pounds and above.

Here is a good way to tell.

Grab the weights you think are best and do 3 sets of 10 repetitions. Start with a simple bicep curl.

Do 10 curls and take a short break.

So 10 more, take a break, then do the final 10.

Next, repeat the process with tricep kickbacks, and finish with front deltoid lifts (check out the video to see all of these exercises!)

If you are struggling to maintain good form such as rocking or using unwanted momentum, or if you are in pain, best to pick up a lighter weight.

A good practice is to have two sets of weights.

You can get them here for under $20, and maybe less at a discount store.

If you are on a tight budget, do what I do and put them on your Christmas, birthday or Mother’s day list.

Bicep muscles tend to be stronger making it easier to use a heavier weight as opposed to triceps which may require a lighter go. 

Also, I have to mention that if I am teaching a class of 20, there are almost always three in the class with shoulder pain.

Here is where I highly recommend using your lighter weights due to the record number of injuries from improper form, too-heavy weights, or not giving the muscles a day of rest between working out with the weights.

Folks, weight training is so important as we age so that we maintain muscle mass.

When we work the muscles, they pull on the bones making them stronger to ward off osteoporosis.

With strong muscles we can have better stability and balance.

Last, but not least, muscles burn more calories than fat so it is a great way to maintain a healthy weight.

With all the benefits, let’s grab our weights and ensure that we stay strong and vital as we work on successful aging.

HERE’S TO FEELING GOOD!

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