New to weights and overwhelmed

[pinkyponkyplink]

I’m trying to build in weights. I’ve been keeping my steps above 10k and weights are the next thing for me. I have 3kg dumbbells. I keep looking online and there are so many different exercises. Do I try a different video each time? Or do I stick with the same one? I’ve been trying to follow ones with 6-8 exercises and do this for 3 sets. Any suggestions please? Looking for a full body routine

I do work out with Roxanne on you tube and she does short routines, longer ones, beginner ones and also all standing ones. I do one of her videos three times a week and pick depending on time available and how motivated I feel. She doesn’t do any silly talking or repeats and it’s very easy to follow

I'm also interested in starting weights but don't know where to start so here to listen . Sorry OP I've not got much to offer.

@pinkyponkyplink Caroline Girvan seems to be well-regarded.

I do the Les Mills Body Pump routines. Very happy with these.

Me too, second this.

I do Roxanne on YouTube you can't just wing it you need to follow something

I've just done Caroline Girvan's Epic Beginner programme. It's 5 days, only 1 of them is weights as the idea is getting you used to having the correct form a few times before you add in weights.

I'm starting her Epic programme tomorrow, 10 weeks, 5 times a week.

I really like her, the moves are easy to follow, it's based on time rather than reps so it doesn't matter if you aren't completely in sync.

Les Mills Body Pump is a great work out but it’s cardio, not weights.

Yes, you use weights to do the cardio, but due to its low weight high rep nature, it won’t build muscle in the way you need.

Lift with Cee is very simple to follow on youtube. Theres about 30 different 20 to 30 min sessions. Just do as she tells you! You'll need more than one weight and some heavier ones for lower body (squats, lunges, deadlifts). I'd recommend adding 5kg and 8kg to start with.

It’s described as strength training. You choose what level of weights you use. I’ve gradually increased the weights as I’ve got stronger. I’ve done them for about two years both in gym classes with a trainer and online at home. I’ve developed strength and muscles. 💪

I don’t have any special knowledge about weights training, I’m doing it to improve strength and fitness and it seems to be doing that job.

I think a really great starting point is a programme that is sequential, works out all the different parts of the body, and focuses on form.

The LIIFT4 programme on Bodi is my favourite for this. It’s as hard as the weights you use, and it also uses HIIT moves that strengthen using bodyweight and helps with mobility and balance too. You can go as slow as you like for those and they have lots of modifying suggestions. There are some press ups, and if you’re not used to them these can be tricky/disheartening. However, start off doing them against your sofa/wall, and then progress to the floor.

Your 3kg weights are a good starting point, you will probably need more but hold off buying any yet. I’d suggest getting even lighter ones to do flys/raises (Facebook marketplace always has people giving these away) and then slightly heavier ones for when you work legs (6kg would be good).

Good luck! It is a great thing to give your body 🙌

Love Caroline Girvan. Lots of free videos on you tube. Get some 5kg dumbbells. Don’t worry if you can’t match her weight - I go for half her weight apart from when she goes very light. Although her Iron series is mostly weights, her other Epic series also include functional fitness.

Fitness blender is where I started many moons ago.

Browse YouTube until you find someone to copy whose vibe you like. It’ll snowball from there

This.

Do you want to build muscle? If that's what you want, then you need to look at strength programmes online, and get comfortable with thinking about a progressive programme, what's known as progressive overload, so that you stress your muscles to get them to grow (while you're resting!).

For women, have a look at Stacy Sims, MegSquats, or Henley Fitness (Rachel Henley) - all on YouTube and/or Instagram. None of their programmes is free long-term, but they all offer a free trial. And I think they all offer the possibility of home work outs, without proper weight lifting equipment (a bar bell, plates, and heavy dumbbells or kettle bells).

Frankly, you need to get to the point where 3 kg is nothing (except for lateral raises and flys).

@EastCoastDweller Im glad you’re enjoying the gym and it’s having the effects you want. At the end of the day that’s the most important thing.
And if you are progressing then it’s still working. And the upside is you’re building your heart strength too. It’s a great foundation.

There may be a point when you want to progress your strength and by actual strength training you will gain massively.

Can I just do a 30 minute full body dumbbell work out 3-4 x a week? For example the Caroline G one or do I need to do upper one day and lower the other etc? How many times a week?

If you look on CG's website, she has listed out the whole timetable then you select the video on youtube. But if you want to adapt it then choose the videos you like.
I can't do a lot of the abs/core moves so if I'm due to do an abs day, I do a HIIT video instead but add in planks in the 'rest' periods.

As you do more, you'll be more comfortable doing your own thing. If there's a move that I shouldn't do (eg, tummy higher than head, due to reflux) then I know enough other moves that will still work the relevant muscle to do that instead.