Light weights for 60 plus women

[MichaelandKirk]

I am normal weight and people always think I am much fitter than I actually am but I am not! I am going to Pilates once a week but feel it’s not enough.

I don’t particularly want to join an expensive gym so am looking for some tips on potential You Tube videos using light weights. I can buy appropriate weights and use them at home. My balance isn’t great. Not terrible but I feel I can definitely improve it.

Has anyone got any links and suggestions on weights to buy.

Many thanks

I got mine from Argos, collected from Sainsbury's. I prefer the moulded coloured ones as they are far more comfortable to grip than metal bars with screw on weights, which can get loose mid-sequence.

Don't go too light. Start with 3k not 1 or 2, which would quickly outgrow. But too heavy too soon can cause injuries.

You could use resistance bands instead. Ideal for keeping up the workout while you're travelling. And surprisingly effective.

Interesting about the 3k ones. I am not a large person and I have a few aches and pains with my wrists but Argos isnt an expensive place and weights arent £££ either.

Thank you for responding.

I’d suggest trying a CrossFit gym, you can often do a free trial, most you can pay monthly and it’s not as expensive as a full gym membership or it’s better value anyway. There you’d get good appropriate instruction on what you’re doing and based on your goals, and you’d have all their weights to use when you’d scale up a bit through different weights. You could then buy some manageable weights to use at home on other days. You’d also get mobility and stretching at a CrossFit class which would be great.

I do Pilates twice a week, and do the second class wearing ankle weights. Only 500g apiece, but adding a little extra weight seems like a progression. Amazon sell them on wide elastic with velcro closures for about £15.00 and they can be used on legs and wrists. Easier than holding weights in your hand for an hourlong class.

My Pilates instructor has us use bands for quite a few of the exercises.

We've got a slightly random collection of weights accumulated over the years. 3kg is good for quite a few things but I find them a bit too much for one or two moves with fully extended arms, yet not enough for e.g. a bicep curl.

(Im small and 64)

I'm also interested in finding some YouTube videos I like ... I want a series with nice clear instructions and no annoying music!

@ErrolTheDragon you might take a look at Sarah Hardy Pilates... not sure if it's on YouTube but I used her workouts quite extensively during lockdown. Clear and no music.

sarahhardypilates.com/

Thanks!

You could look up Petra Genko on YouTube - she does workouts including some with weights aimed at women 50/60+

another Petra Genko vote