Lifting weights?

Question

I've been doing some weight lifting, just to tone up. For the past few weeks I've been using 5 pound dumbells. Is this enough or should I be working up to a heavier amount? I don't want to bulk up, just tone. Thanks!

Answer 1

No, you're doing fine just as you are. Five pound weights are great for toning. Make sure you drink lots of water while you're working out, because this helps flush lacto bacilic acid and toxins out of your system while you are toning.
Another important thing is to follow your weight lifting sessions with stretches. Weight lifting can cause minute 'knots' in your muscles, and in time, these can become painful. Stretching while you are still warm from lifting gets rid of them, and returns the muscles to a smooth state, so they will glide easily over each other.
How great to hear from someone who is on a sensible regime! Stay with it.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

it totally depends on what exercise you're doing and how strong you are. 5 lbs might be good for a small muscle group like biceps (eg. bicep curls), but too light for a larger muscle group (eg. rows - for the back). generally, do sets of 12 - 15 reps as mentioned earlier. you should feel a bit of a struggle by the time you get to the last couple of reps but you should be able to maintain good form and posture. use trial and error to find a weight that allows you to do this. over time you will get stronger and will likely need heavier weights to produce the same effect. also, keep your rests between sets short - 30-60 seconds - and try to hit all the large muscle groups (back, chest, thighs) once a week, twice if you have time. that's the best way to burn calories and tone up. add in a little cardio a few times a week and eat a sensible diet and you should be good to go. on a side note, don't worry too much about bulking up. as a woman, it's so much harder than you think to attain that look. it doesn't happen overnight and unless you take your diet and exercise regimen to the extreme, you have nothing to worry about. a little muscle won't make you look like a man. it'll make you look sexy! and it'll make lugging groceries and opening pickle jars alot easier. hope this helps!

Answer 4

Do enough weights that you can do 12 reps per set...and 3 sets. If by the third set, your 12th rep is really easy...then you need to step up the weights. If you can only do 4 reps on the 3rd set...it is probably too much weight for you.

Toning implies higher reps (like 12).

Increasing muscle mass implies fewer reps (like 4-6)

Answer 5

Just to tone up stick with lower weight and more repetitions. To bulk up add weight and do fewer reps. 5lbs. is enough to tone with.

Answer 6

well you should actually go with the pounds that put enough pressure on you but not enough to break your arms.