Hey guys, how are you all today? I hope you aren't doing too bad.I came here to ask you guys that since I plan to start lifting weights soon to gain muscle with dumbbells (I've always been underweight) how can I tell how much weight to use? And after I've decided, how many sets/reps do I do with it?Also, does anyone know a good website that provides me with tons of workouts I could do with my weights so I don't lose variety? And what can I do to avoid plateaus in my workouts? Gaining weight has been a long goal of mine and no matter how hard I used to try, I never, ever seemed to get anything out of it! It really frustrates me and looking good as well as being healthy and fit are very VERY important aspects to my own satisfaction and it just makes me terribly angry that I can't seem to get it. Hopefully, however, I'll be able to get it right this time.I think that's it for now...I'd really appreciate it if you could get to my post quickly! =] I know you guys have busy lives so I don't want to rush anything!! Thanks a bunch!Oh, and by the way, I'm a sophomore in HS, if that affects things like how much weight to use or how many reps or sets I do... Just in case. I don't know X_x
-
Lifting for Weight Gain
-
Hi there NextDay.
I'm glad to hear your hoping to push yourself to achieve your goles. I'd recomend a starting weight at around 5kg or so for bicsep curls, theres no point starting at 30kg and hurting yourself. So start low and see how you feel then. When you find a weight your comfortable with, that isn't making a vein pop out on your face but isn't too much like a feather then stick with that. After a while if you think hey thats easy try going up a few kg never try to jump from say 20 to 30, progress slowly and try not to injure yourself.
Heres an ok website i use to look at weight training tips http://www.menshealth.co.uk/Fitness-Muscle/landing also youtube is good for showing you the mechanics of the work out.
If your looking for variety possibly look into buying a barbell aswell so you can do squats etc aswell as tricep dips. Atleast it keeps the variety up. Its my belief from practice that i get a more all round body tone through using a barbell than just dumbells.
Though i must warn you, be careful when weight lifting. Especially when using a barbell, best to have someone with you to stay safe. A few weeks back i dropped a 30kg barbell on my neck when i was doing freestyle squats. I had finished and went to lift it over but it was too heavy and i dropped it back on my neck. If i had someone with me that wouldn't have happened so bare that in mind.
Finally, depending on where you live if its america or england or wherever, it may be an idea to join a sports club. Undoubtedly if you join say a rugby club or an american football team then you will put more weight on as your using muscles you never even knew you had lol. Also its more fun when your training with other people.
Good luck!
Hawk
-
Thanks for your reply! It helped! (: I have one more question, though, do you know how many reps/sets I should be lifting for weight gain? I heard that there's a difference in it depending on what your goal is and I really would like to know. Thank you!
-
Well, when I was in PT, and weight lifting, my PT usually always gave me 15 reps and 3 sets, or 15 lifts, 3 times. That usually sufficed well for a 10-20 minute work out, because she had other things thrown in as well. But that's depending on the weight, too. Make it enough that you feel it, but you don't feel too fatigued or overworked.And remember, you can go to the PE office, or whatever you have, and ask the teachers there. It is their job to know lol