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Original poster

Has anyone had any success toning up with 5kg weights

18 replies

unlikelychump · 14/08/2023 12:55

I'm toying with buying some to do arm exercises but I want them to have a good impact. If I use them everyday for a bit. Any thoughts?

OP posts:
AuntieEsther · 14/08/2023 12:59

What are your actual goals? What does 'tone up' mean to you? Really it seems to mean making muscles stronger/bigger and losing body fat at the same time.
you'll get a bit stronger if you regularly use them. You won't grow any muscle. You won't lose body fat. It's still worth doing as a start though!

StuntNun · 14/08/2023 13:02

Yes but I would suggest getting a set of different weights e.g. 1, 2, 3 and 5 kg OR getting a light kettlebell. You can tone up with bodyweight exercises and 1 kg weights alone following Jillian Michaels' 30-Day Shred.

CarPour · 14/08/2023 13:04

Gaining muscle is about the total amount of load on the muscle, so yes of course you can tone up with 5kg weights

It might mean you need more reps than say a higher weight, but you can still tone. People who do say just yoga/pirates with no weights are pretty toned

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lastminutewednesday · 14/08/2023 13:04

Well you'll get a bit stronger and then be able to get slightly heavier ones... I started with lighter ones than that and they did have an effect, and then I got a bit stronger after regular use and got some heavier ones and they were probably more effective (plus the cumulative effect of the lighter ones). No point in going too heavy at first as you won't be able to lift them.

Paq · 14/08/2023 13:18

"Toning up" is meaningless. But yes, you can lose fat and build muscle using light weights if you also follow a calorie deficit diet.

Moodycoo · 14/08/2023 13:24

CarPour · 14/08/2023 13:04

Gaining muscle is about the total amount of load on the muscle, so yes of course you can tone up with 5kg weights

It might mean you need more reps than say a higher weight, but you can still tone. People who do say just yoga/pirates with no weights are pretty toned

I love the idea of folk doing pirates to tone up - sorry that really made me smile today!

MachinesOfGod · 14/08/2023 13:29

AuntieEsther · 14/08/2023 12:59

What are your actual goals? What does 'tone up' mean to you? Really it seems to mean making muscles stronger/bigger and losing body fat at the same time.
you'll get a bit stronger if you regularly use them. You won't grow any muscle. You won't lose body fat. It's still worth doing as a start though!

How can she get stronger without building muscle?

AuntieEsther · 14/08/2023 13:36

MachinesOfGod · 14/08/2023 13:29

How can she get stronger without building muscle?

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You can strengthen your existing muscle without building more.
To be fair if you go from zero to some weight training even with light weights you may build a tiny bit of new muscle at first but it will stop.

CarPour · 14/08/2023 13:38

Moodycoo · 14/08/2023 13:24

I love the idea of folk doing pirates to tone up - sorry that really made me smile today!

Show quote history

Sorry what?

Of course you can tone up with pilates

You won't be a body builder, but you will gain some muscle?

AHugeTinyMistake · 14/08/2023 13:39

Pirates 😆😆😆

Covidcabana · 14/08/2023 13:41

CarPour · 14/08/2023 13:38

Sorry what?

Of course you can tone up with pilates

You won't be a body builder, but you will gain some muscle?

Show quote history

Really?! I've tried doing pirates all day and I'm neither a body builder nor have I gained any muscle.

Kdub · 14/08/2023 13:42

CarPour · 14/08/2023 13:38

Sorry what?

Of course you can tone up with pilates

You won't be a body builder, but you will gain some muscle?

Show quote history

I'm sure she knows that but was making a joke about the previous poster saying pirates not pilates.

CarPour · 14/08/2023 14:12

Oh lol I only just realised it changed to pirates GrinGrin

I reckon pirates are pretty toned tbh

AuntieEsther · 14/08/2023 14:28

CarPour · 14/08/2023 13:38

Sorry what?

Of course you can tone up with pilates

You won't be a body builder, but you will gain some muscle?

Show quote history

You won't gain muscle. Pilates uses body weight only and that's not enough to gain muscle.

Paq · 14/08/2023 15:16

You absolutely can gain muscle using body weight only, you just need a lot more TUT and some harder exercises like chin ups.

Farmageddon · 14/08/2023 16:00

AuntieEsther · 14/08/2023 14:28

You won't gain muscle. Pilates uses body weight only and that's not enough to gain muscle.

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With Reformer Pilates you an absolutely build muscle, because of the resistance springs. I have an increase in calf and arm muscles that I certainly didn't have a few months ago.

UnaOfStormhold · 14/08/2023 16:07

I'd be inclined to go with a set of resistance bands - they're cheap so you can get a variety of strengths for the cost of dumbbells, portable, usable for a variety of exercises targeting a wider range of muscles and you can adjust the resistance by shortening the amount of band you are stretching. Dumbells are much less flexible and you can quickly progress to needing a heavier set to get full benefit.

Original poster
unlikelychump · 15/08/2023 07:49

Thanks for all the replies, what sort of exercises would you suggest?

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