hello & butts & guts equipment

[ella]

hey all! i'm new to the forum and cathe as well. i bought the butts & guts dvd and love it! i just need the weight bar and ankle weights now so i can do the entire workout.

anyway, so tonight i'm going to get the ankle weights- how much should they weigh each? i've never used them- but i feel i'm fairly strong. maybe i should get a couple different weights and try them out?

also, the weight bar. any suggestions. i've never managed one of these... they seem a little intimidating to me. what's a good bar to start with and weights?

thanks a lot- and hello! i look forward to being a part of the forum.

 

[jillybean]

Welcome!!

Cathe and crew use 2.5 lb ankle weights (for a total of 5 lbs). Just play with it and see how it goes for you. I typically use 5 lb ankle weights (10 lb total), but somedays 2.5# are more than enough.

If the plated barbell scares you, try dumbbells at first. Just hold then in your hands at your sides or rest them on your shoulders. When I first began to workout, I used nothing but dumbbells. You'll get used to the barbell. I find it's much more comfortable for things like squats and deadlifts.

Enjoy B&G!

 

[kathryn]

I love my adjustable Ironwear weights (made with heavy rubber, so they are comfortable, won't leak like sandbag-type weights will, and won't rust like metal weights). They adjust all the way from 1/2 pound to 5 pounds each, and can also be fastened above the knee (a better location for inner/outer thigh work, because it puts less stress on the knees, though I usually hold a heavier dumbbell there instead of using the ankle weights), or hooked together to make a weighted belt of up to 10#.

The absolute best home barbell system, IMO, is Troy Lite. The bar is a bit shorter than some, the weights are rubber coated (again, prevents rusting) and the clips are quick to change (though will be tight at first---which just gives you some extra grip work!). I have 2 sets (I bought the second one so I wouldn't have to change weights so much in PLB). They come with a selection of plates for a total of something like 40#, but I ordered 2 10# plates and 2 1.25# plates (for increasing weight in smaller increments) when I got my first set.

You can get the Troy Lite at fitness1st.com or other online merchants, but it would cost less to find it in a store, or ask a store like Dick's Sporting Goods to order it for you (so you don't have to pay shipping costs, which can be high for weight equipment).

HTH!

 

[ella]

thanks to the both of you. very helpful info!

i'm about to head out now and see what i can pick up.