30 day shred - what weights?

Marina007

30 day shred just arrived in my mailbox - and I'm planning on trying it out for the first time tonight.

I can see in the photos on the back that there are dumbbells used in some of the exercises - can anyone recommend what weights I should go for?

I don't actually have any weights at home, so I'm going to buy a pair, just want to have a pair that makes the workout challenging, but doable.

TIA!

Nebb

I dont personally do the shred, but if it was me buying them - I would watch the video, see what movements you have to do, and then try out the weights in the store to see what weight is comfortable (but you can max out on) to make sure you buy the right weight. You should also get a range of weights, to work your way up. From what ive seen most people get anywhere from 3lbs to 8lbs, but I think you could go higher!

Marina007

Thanks!

Wise advice.  I was hoping the gym fairy would magically come up with the perfect weights to use, but obviously this is much smarter.

I think I'll try it with 3kg weights to start out and see how I do. 

emilyinchile

I remember in a previous thread about someone starting 30DS a bunch of us said we use 3-5 pound weights. Unless you've got good upper body strength, I think 3kg weights will be too much at first - I started out with the 3 lbs and found it plenty hard!

FavoriteOne

I agree - you will definitely feel it with 3lb weights!

Nebb

You ladies need to start pumping up, 3lbs is nothing. I dont do the shred but I do lift at the gym and I range from 10lb to 25 for upper body weights.

iamjoesgurl

Nebb - when I did 30DS I started by using 3 pounds then quickly worked up to 5 and 8 pounds.  The reason it was challenging at first was that even though I was doing a lot of weights at the gym and challenging myself, the 30DS does the exercises to the point of real fatigue.  Imagine doing 30 reps of a weight at the gym without stopping.  Yes, it hurt at 3 pounds!  Maybe that makes more sense.  But your suggestion of getting the range of weights is right on.

Nebb

Ive been reading new rules of lifting for women, so bear with me, and the problem with that (doing 30 reps at a low weight), is that your muscles dont grow - they get good at doing a lot of reps but dont get stronger, they just build endurance which isnt going to build muscle. I guess thats why I just dont "agree" (or like) 30DS, because i believe heavier weights are more beneficial to your body.

emilyinchile

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_30-day-shred-weights?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:238Discussion:a73be3af-8ca1-4f12-b4cc-4b9ac6f5c921Post:e9039c35-c8bb-4fb6-b68a-a9a108f3382e">Re: 30 day shred - what weights?</a>:
[QUOTE]You ladies need to start pumping up, 3lbs is nothing. I dont do the shred but I do lift at the gym and I range from 10lb to 25 for upper body weights.
Posted by Nebb[/QUOTE]

Nebb, I totally get your second point about believing based on your research that light weights/lots of reps isn't the best way to go. I haven't looked into it, so I'm not arguing the validity of different training methods. But there's a difference between encouraging a different method and disparaging how much others are able to do.

Personally I don't have much upper body strength yet and for me doing 30 reps of 3 lbs on a new move is hard. It's not a question of being a girl and not knowing how to push myself (I was a college athlete). OP, if you're rocking it with the 3 kilo weights then more power to you, but personally I'm not there yet, and I'd rather start small and work up than never start at all because I can't do the big weights on day 1.

knj92107

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_30-day-shred-weights?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:238Discussion:a73be3af-8ca1-4f12-b4cc-4b9ac6f5c921Post:843ef864-0766-4229-a4ce-fe0918437727">Re: 30 day shred - what weights?</a>:
[QUOTE]Im not disparaging, but I think that a lot of women (no one in particular in this thread) dont believe they can do heavier and dont push themselves to try, or in some cases theyre misinformed and are afraid to lift heavier. Ive been told by trainers and ive read it in books that you should max out on the weight, and unless you literally have NO upper body strength what so ever, I dont see how you can max out on a 3lb-er. I started low too but not so low that it was counter productive. I just think its worth while for people to really push themselves, because the harder you push the stronger you feel and the better results you get.
Posted by Nebb[/QUOTE]

I lift heavy and would probably say the same thing had I not done the Shred before.  But in this particular workout, there are a TON of reps - 3 minutes at a time of reps with no rest at all.  I have a lot of upper body strength and I definitely max out on 3-5lbs on some of the exercises after 3 minutes. 

I agree 100% with the 'heavy lifting' philosophy but this video isn't designed like normal weight lifting with sets.  It is 3 minutes at a time of compound strength moves (such as squats with overhead presses) nonstop and I absolutely feel it with 3 lbs. on some of the moves.  Some others - such as lunges with bicep curls - I switch and use a heavier weight.  But there are a few, like side lunges with anterior raises where I can't make it to the end of the 3 mins with more than a 3 lb weight.  And like I said, I do lift heavy and I do have quite a bit of upper body strength.

Marina007

Well - just thought I'd report back - I tried the shred with 3kg weights - and I'm on the yay/nay.  The weights were great for some of the moves, but too heavy for the exercise where you lift the weights directly straight in front you (for the shoulders - sorry I don't remember the name of the move - but I DIED).  They were too light for chest presses, though.

So I think I might just suck it up and buy a pair of lighter weights and heavier ones, so I can get the most out of the workout.

Thanks for all the input!

Marina007

Duh, knj92107  - I meant the anterior lifts - they are KILLER!

glam70s

I did this workout for the first time yesterday and I used 3lb weights. From the way my shoulders are killing me this morning, and the fact that I couldn't finish all the reps yesterday, I have trouble believing that 3lb weights aren't enough to do me any good... I do plan on building to heavier weights, but for now these tiny ones are more than enough for most exercises.

lifeizbeachy

I bought 2 sets for different exercises, some are harder, some easier. I bought 4lb and 8lb weights. I am in week 3 and going to buy heavier weights already! Yay me!
I am a chicken but nebb pushed me to go bigger and I am glad I did! Thanks Girl!!!

emilyinchile

Nebb, thanks for clarifying. I did read it at first as "you guys are being wimps" and not as "you can do it!" but I realize you didn't mean it that way.

I also use different weights for different exercises...need to get some heavier ones actually, and really keep challenging myself on moves like the chest press.

TurtlesAllTheWayDown

Like others, I have a pair of 3lb weights and a pair of 5lb weights. I just started, but plan to work up to the 5 lb weights (similar to how I plan to work up to level 2 and level 3 on the workout when level 1 gets easy).