Don't have heavy weights???

[Heidisue]

Just wondering what you are doing with the new workouts if you don't have really heavy weights??? I hope to buy some weights but not now. Any ideas?

 

[kariev]

i would focus really on contracting the muscle while you are lifting the weight you have. by doing this, you will be amazed at how this increases the intensity even with lighter weights

 

[marnold]

Some of the exercises I would think you could either pause and do more reps OR you could double up the lighter dumbells in your hand (2 x 10's) for some exercises too.

 

[kathryn]

For some moves, you can perhaps hold two dumbells at once (lat rows, for example, but not moves where the weight is over your head or face, like military presses or bench presses).

Or until you get heavier weights, increase the number of reps.

Or hold a weight and band at the same time (on some moves, it won't work for all).

 

[SRP]

You can also add resistance bands. For example, Cathe does this on bicep curls in the Low Impact Circuit workout. That really makes it tough.

 

[Heidisue]

great ideas! Thanks so much! I did the HIS/back and chest and wasn't as sore as I hoped (sounds wierd huh!!!). So I'm sure this will help.

 

[LauraMax]

I have the same problem & I doubled up the dumbells (like where Cathe uses 25 lbs I use a 20 & a 5). Also for the lat rows I used my barbell & did two armed lat rows throughout the entire back workout. It seemed fairly effective--no DOMS but I was feeling the burn during the routine.

 

[lorrayne]

I would also suggest that you can just speed up the reps and not follow Cathe's speed. Instead of doing a 2-2 count, do it as a single count. So, you will be doing a high repetition endurance workout instead of a slower, heavy weighted workout.

 

[RunDiggity]

I buy most of my dumbbells at second wind places - even check goodwills - you will be suprised at how cheap you could find them. The best investment ever!!! I have them up to 30 lbs right now in pairs and don't really see the need right now to go up higher...

Also it never hurts to call local gyms going out of business in the area or just check with them to see if they would sell you older stuff for cheap - ya don't know until you ask....just another thought.

I second the vote on using bands for increased resistance. When cathe uses that band with a dumbbell - I know I am in TROUBLE!

 

[pebblesus]

Hey!
You could just pre-exhaust your muscles first.. like by doing a really long set and THEN fallowing the videos. Consentrate on your form and movement this will add "mental resistance". USe the resistance bands for the barbells, hold two dumbells (like already mentioned) and do exercises that use your own body weight (like pushups and dips.. that way you can add th dumbells to the movement for nor ewiehgt.
Shoulders usually take lighter weights anyways and also for triceps as well you can get a LOT out of the resistance bands.
Plates for barbells are usually dirt cheap and I know Dick's has dumbells for like $.60/lb.. I think when I got my little home gym I got 4 - 20 lb dumbell sets (4/6/8/10/12/15/20) and it was like $75.
You can also check out the classifieds on Craigslist.. they're always for sale with benches and everything!