Tips for using 8kg dumbbells

[Rivermonsters]

Been using 4kg dumbbells for the past month, so I decided to treat myself to a set of 8kg. They’re quite heavy so does anyone have any tips on lifting them stupid question Ik

What exercises are you doing with them? When I increase weights I do fewer reps, and it’s easier to increase weights for lower body than upper body.

Probably not the advice you want but I think that's quite a bit jump - I went from 5s to 7s and still find that a struggle sometimes!

Why not sign up to an online coaching program to make sure that you're using them correctly and to give you ideas - the Fiit, James Smith and Courtney Black app all have good strength classes.

When I’m in the gym I tend to increase by 1.25kg for upper body and 2.5-5kg for lower body. Agree with pp that doubling weights is a bit of a jump. I would be focussing on form and technique, really slowing down each rep with the lower weights and focus on the movement targeting specific muscles.

@Stellaris22 thank you.

You are best off getting bars with plates to adjust the weight slowly or some in between the ones you have.

I was doing triceps extensions, front raises and lateral raises with that much pre-pregnancy but it took me quite a while to get up to that weight. We have 3.5kg bars and "baby" plates ranging from 0.25-2.5kg I use on them, heavier plates are a bit bigger so not great for isolation work. Bigger lifts I do with Olympic bar and plates, do increases of 5-10kg when progressing on those. Slow going atm as I'm 3mth pp and hips are still settling after having spd.

@Stellaris22 I’m doing bicep curls, my goal is to build up my biceps not lose weight

That's a huge jump, if a weight starts to feel light / easy I'd either increase the weight by a small amount and maybe reduce the number of reps, or increase the number of reps. I also use anything from 2kg to 12kg for upper body work depending on what exercise I'm doing. Doubling a weight and expecting to carry out doing what you were doing is totally unrealistic. Are you only doing bicep curls?

@emmathedilemma fair enough. Yes, do you have any other recommendations for exercises ?

If you’re focussing on arms then I quite like doing upper body as a whole. Things like shoulder press and bent over rows or renegade row for back. Chest flys, front/lateral raises are good too.

Be sure to warm up first with your lighter weights.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions:)

Things I might do with 8kg or more....one armed row, chest press / inclined chest press, shoulder press (maybe? that might be too heavy, I haven't done it for ages!), tricep overhead thingy, goblet squats, lunges. squat & press......