Does anyone use 40lbs+ dumbbells??

K

kimyenchu

Cathlete
Hello,

Does any ladies on this forum uses dumbbells 40lbs and up? I am thinking of purchasing a set that includes a pair about 44lbs in weight, but I am thinking this maybe too heavy and I would NEVER get to use them.

If you do, what do you use them for? I know that Cathe uses 40lbs in S&H for legs, but is that it? And it's only 1 dumbbell that she uses.

Yen
 
I use 40's for some slow standing core work (they remain at sides) & for back - rows & pulls. I find then to come in very handy & I normally dont lift as heavy as Cathe on most endurance work...HTH
 
I do, especially for back work (lawnmowers from P90X). Go for it, you might surprise yourself that you can lift heavier than you think!! (with good form always!) My dh just bought me an adjustable dumbbell set that goes to 40# and an extra four 10# plates! }(
 
I have 1, 40-pound dumbell that I've used for 1-arm lat rows (and 1, 45-pounds kettlebell that I've used for the same). The back is a very large muscle group (the largest in the upper body, and second-largest in the body, after legs) and can take some heavy loads.

I only have one, though, because I don't think I'll ever get to the point of doing bench presses with 40#, or any other 2-armed moves. If I do, I'll go pick up a second one (which is what I did as I moved my way up through 30# and 35# when using P90X. I'm guessing people will be doing the same--moving onto dumbell weights higher than what they are now using--with the STS series, especially during the strength mesocycle).

Look at it this way: if you have it, you might be motivated to move up to it. If you don't have it, you might never use it.
 
Thank you ladies, you've helped me make up my mind. I will go for it.

Although I fear I will end looking like Arnie and I know my mother will have something to say about this (sigh).


Yen
 
Women just don't have the testosterone to build muscle like Arnie. Never fear!! You can do it! Haha (in my best Arnie voice...)
 
I have a 40# and a 50# dumb bell and use them for plate' squats. But it is difficult for me. Talk about a challenge! WHEW! Most of the time I can't use the 50# the whole time of the exercise, but I will one day. I also use a 35# and a 40# for back exercises. They are very challenging!

There is a DVD of Cathe's that also uses a 40# for legs, but I can't remember which one. I'll have to go through them, or maybe someone hear knows which one I'm talking about.

Get one, you won't regret it.

Janie

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The idea is to die young as late as possible.
 
Hi Yen!
I use 40 lb dumbbells when i'm doing standing oblique crunches, lunges and when i'm doing a low rep curls for my biceps and forearms. They are quite heavy if you've never used them before, i won't lie. But i say get them to have for now. You can only get stronger and before you know it, you'll be using those 40 lb dumbbells like they're 20 lbs.

Just think, i started with 15 lbs, and that was in January. ;)
Hope that helps. :)
 
Lol! yea but i can only do about 4 of them. One of the perks of having a personal trainer for a husband. He pushes me waaaay past my limits. ;) I'm tryin to work my way up to a full set of 10 reps. :)
 
Yen, I use 40 lb DBs for rear delt flies & I definitely DO NOT look like Arnie!

I'd love to have those babies at home! Go for 'em. You'll make me jealous, but I'm certain you'll use them once you have them.
 
At the gym, I sure do. I only have up to 30s at home, but I haven't been using them much these days.

Let's see...
I do 50-55 for one armed rows
45-50 for pullovers
60ish for plie squats
55-60 for shoulder shrugs

oh wait, more.

40-50 underhand/overhanded rows
same for squats/front squats

There might be a few others...can't think at the moment.


Debbie


Everyone is entitled to an opinion. It's just that yours is stupid.
 
Laura - How in the world are you doing rear delt flies with 40's? Rear delts are one of my weakest exercises. And if you do that for rear delts what are you benching?
 
It's a lot of women's weakest bodypart. I started working them extra hard after a trainer at my gym commented on my "lack of definition" in my rear delts. x( OK I didn't want to hear it but she was right. ;-) So I started doing 6 extra sets of rear delts on a day I worked other body parts. I do the incline flies w/40 lbs (25 lbs 3 years ago), Cathe's "rear squeezes" w/20 lbs (8 lbs 3 years ago), & reverse flies on the pec deck w/70 lbs (40 3 years ago).

I bench about 80-85 lbs w/a straight bar. Don't ask me what I leg press LOL.

But you have to bear in mind I train at a gym. Increasing strength is much easier b/c of the variety of equipment that can "help" you lift heavier weights.
 
I have the Bowflex Select Tech Dumbbells that go from 5# to 52.5# and I have used 45# for the plie squats in S&H...:)
 
Not female here... but I thought I'd chime in with an idea. I was able to buy a dumbell version of the barbell - so I can use the weights I already have for the barbell, and that means it's adjustable. 1 dumbell was 25.00, I think, and can get as heavy as you want. I got two, and also use them for weights in between sizes (Like 17.5).

Just an option if price is an issue. :)

Ben
 
WOW!! You are a fit bunch of women, I am impressed.

I went to the gym on Sunday and tried to pick a 17.5kg (37lbs) dumbbell and I couldn't do it, it was sooo heavy. Lord knows how I can ever pick up a 20kg (44lbs). I also noticed the some other ladies in the gym using 2kg (5lbs) for bicep curls and I thought 'You've got to be kidding me!' Isn't it interesting how ignorant people can be?

I am definitely buying this set of weights 10kg-20kg and going all out in my training: just to show people that you can lift and not look hideous. I wish I had pre-ordered STS series now.

Watch this space.

Yen
 
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