S&H Dumbell Wt size?

L

LuvCardio

Cathlete
Just wondering what wt. you all use for S&H? I have 5 lb, 8 lb and 10 lb wts. I also have 1 single 15 lb wt. I got on clearance at Target.

I am considering getting some heavier wts. since with the 10 lbs it almost seemed I could use a bit heavier for the biceps today. I am thinking of getting a 12 and 15 lb set.

Does the S&H shoulders etc. use a lot of heavy dumbells too? I am thinking it might be worth the investment.

Also, do most of you try to go as heavy as you can for S&H or do you make sure you can still do the form perfect? Today when I did biceps and triceps it was heavy enough I could feel it, could still do my form but felt that on a few I could have went heavier. But since it was my first time I really didn't know what to do.

Cheers,
Pammer
 
Hi Pammer:

I just started Slow and Heavy this week. Yesterday I did Legs and Shoulders and used a 40 pound barbell and a 30 pound dumbell for the legs, and a range of dumbells for the shoulders, from my 1.5 pound wrist weights for the rotator cuff exercise, to about 12 pounds for the overhead presses. I felt like I could have gone heavier on the dumbell, though I'm pretty sore today.

This morning I did back and chest, and used 8-10-12 pounds on the chest, and 8-10-12-15 pounds on the back. I'm already sore!

I absolutely love these videos. If you have the money and space, I think it's great to buy a large range of dumbells. They aren't too expensive. I got two 15s yesterday at Sport Chalet for about $8 each. It really helps keep you at the right weight.

I try to go as heavy as I possibly can.

- Jennifer
 
You guys are making me so envious!!! I want upper body pain :O I had ordered S&H dvd but it didn't work so they are mailing me a replacement. These posts made me go back to my email and check the date of SNM's email to me. That was only the 23rd but seems eons ago! So it's still not time for it to get here... anticipation ...

dee c.
 
I definitely bought a new pair of dumbells or two when I first started S&H. In general, for chest and back I use 12, 15, and 20 lbs. For biceps and triceps, usually 8, 10, 12lbs. For shoulders, 3, 5 and 8lbs. I'm always very ginger with my legs b/c of a past knee injury so currently I'm only using a 15 lb barbell but feel I could go heavier, but I increase the weight very slowly for legs to prevent setbacks.

Stacy
 
For S + H, I go as heavy as I can and still have good form. The weight I use depends on the day. I haven't done this workout for a while, but last time I did, I think I used 10, 12 and 15 pounds for biceps; 15, 17.5, 20, 22.5 (I have plate mates) for chest and back, and around 35# barbell for legs, though I have been doing PH and MIS since and would go up in legs.
 
Everyone... thanks so much for the input. I am definitely now on the search for some more dumbbells.

Kathryn- where did you get your plate mates? What are they? Are they the ones that you just flip the switch and they automatically raise or lower? If so, where did you get them?

-Pammer
 
It is my feeling that 12,15,and 20 lb. dumbells are a must for slow and heavy work. That way, for the plie squats, you can just put the two 20lbers on your shoulders to equal 40 lbs.

I really do LOVE this series. I have to force myself not to pop it in the VCR!! Right now I am doing PS and cannot believe how easy it seems!!

Platemates are magnetized increments of weight that affix to each end of each dumbell. They come in .6 lbs each and 1.25 pounds each. So, for example, if you were to affix the .6lbers to a 5lb dumbell (on each side) you would then have a 6lb. dumbell. With the 1.25lb'ers, you would affix one on each side of two 20lb. dumbells and then have 22.5 lb. dumbells, see?? It is just a way that they came up with to increase your poundage with safety in mind. I broke down and got these at a local sporting goods store ( a specialty one) when I got to the 15lb. dumbells. After that it was real obvious that I was going to need them. I think it only becomes an issue when you get to atleast 15lbs.

Good Luck!!

Janice
 
For chest I use anywhere from 15-22½. Back is 20-22½. Legs are 45-50# barbell, 12# dumbbells for pre-exhaust. Shoulders are 8-10. Rotator is 5, although I'm wishing I had 4's--those just fry me! Arms vary widely: 8-15 lbs. depending on the exercise.

I love my plate mates! Janice is right - when you get to 15, they really help. Sometimes I up my weight with just one plate mate on each dumbbell, which leads to some funky-looking records like: 21.25#.

If anyone is interested in them, they're sold at fwonline.com. Even with the shipping from Ohio to California, they're cheaper than at the specialty store around the corner.
 
Ms Chana..

Do you use only 1 platemate sometimes too?? I only have the 1.25 pound ones and don't want to fork out the $ for the .6lb. Do you think this is safe?? They claim that you need both to "balance" the weight. What do you think???

Janice
 
I always make sure each dumbbell weighs the same as its mate (I put the platemate on the same side for symmetry), and I've never felt unbalanced. I probably would if the thing weighed 5 lbs. :)
 
[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Oct-31-02 AT 02:04AM (Est)[/font][p][font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Oct-31-02 AT 02:03 AM (Est)[/font]

Okay.... I checked out the platemates online. They look really cool.

However, maybe it is a blonde thing but I am real confused :-hmmm

What all do I need to purchase? I couldn't hardly tell from the pics on FWonline.com Do I need to purchase a special dumbbell plus the plates????

-Pammer
 
No, you need metal dumbells. Not the vinyl covered kind. The platemates will not work on them. I have HEX dumbells so I purchased the HEX platemates. They also come in donut shape for round platemates. Think of them as magnets that simply attach to each side of your dumbells. For instance, with one lift, say bicep curls, you will need 4 platemates, or 2 pairs. I believe they are only sold in "pairs" so you need to buy 2. That freaked me out at first because it seems so expensive for so little weight. And it is...

Janice
 
Janice and everyone else!

Thanks so much for your great advice! I went and loaded up on dumbbells today. I got them at Galyans and got the hex metal ones. They were only 43 cents a lb which was cheaper than the play it again sports in my area that was 50 cents a lb.

I also bought 2 sets of the platemates to attach! They are soooooo cool! I also found out that the platemates even magnetize onto my neoprene 10 pounders. I guess they have a metal core?

Do you know if it is alright to use just one platemate or an uneven amount on the end of a dumbbell? Or are you suppose to have them even on both ends of the dumbbell?

Anyway... thanks sooooo much for your help and advice:-jumpy

Now I just need to find a rack to put em' all on:)

-Pammer
 
[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Nov-01-02 AT 12:06PM (Est)[/font][p]My 3-12# pairs are all neoprene-covered, and the the plate mates do attach to them! :) I've never actually worked out with neoprenes + platemates, so I don't know if they could fall off easier, but it was a funny discovery. I'm surprised the magnets worked through all that coating.

My 15 & 20# are metal hexes, and my plate mates are the 1.25# hexes. I had to get 2 pairs so I had 4 of them. Yes, they are really expensive, but at least they're so versatile!

P.S. I know it sounds weird, but I've also put them on my barbell (works best to attach to the outside of the plates) when I think I want an extra oomph but aren't sure - so I can quickly rip them off (I have crappy spring-loaded collars - it takes me forever to change poundage).
 
Hi Pammer!

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Nov-01-02 AT 02:12PM (Est)[/font][p]I only have two platemates. I use only one on each dumbbell and it works just fine. The only thing I make sure is that when I am doing an exercise that I hold BOTH dumbells with the platemates in the SAME position. (such as, a bicep hammer curl:Both platemates are on TOP of the hexagon, not one on top & one on bottom.) Does that make sense? I figure the weight is distributed equally on both that way. Just my thoughts. Have fun with all your new purchases!!!!!

Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH http://www.plaudersmilies.de/wavey.gif If You Get The Choice To Sit It Out Or Dance...I Hope You DANCE!!!
 
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