Questions about strength training, strength training at home

[angellazette]

I do the Firm but they incorporate cardio and lots of movement as well so I end up fast forwarding past those parts to stick to the parts dedicated strictly to weights (on my strength days). This isn’t a big problem but I’m wondering if there are any DVDs out there that focus just on weights or if I would be better off developing my own program.

I do know that there is a site out there that shows you the correct form for doing exercises, so maybe I can pull some things from there. Anyone know the site, I can't recall it at the moment.

How many sets and reps are recommended to aid in weight loss?

[finewine83]

For weight loss you need to incoroporate cardio into your regime. Weight training builds muscle, so you may lose inches and gain or lose no weight if you solely rely on weight/strength training. If you want to lose weight then yo should stick with the Firm video as it is. I've recently learned this the hard way. I would do cardio and weight/strength training everday; my body was slimming and muscles were visible (in a cute feminine way;) ) but the scale wasn't budging despite a pretty healthy and usually effective diet. Therefore, i decided to weight/strength train every other workout so that i can lose weight and tone. I've noticed other women do this as well. HTH

ETA: reps depend on your fitness level. most fiteness mags say 3 sets of 8-12 reps and that's what i do. i started off with little weights and 8-10 reps then advanced to 12 reps and slightly heavier weights. this has been effective for me.

[cheetarah1980]

Which Firm videos are you doing? Body Sculpt and Cardio Sculpt (in BSS I) are all weight lifting. The Power 90X DVDs are also good for strength training.

[angellazette]

For weight loss you need to incoroporate cardio into your regime. Weight training builds muscle, so you may lose inches and gain or lose no weight if you solely rely on weight/strength training. If you want to lose weight then yo should stick with the Firm video as it is. I've recently learned this the hard way. I would do cardio and weight/strength training everday; my body was slimming and muscles were visible (in a cute feminine way;) ) but the scale wasn't budging despite a pretty healthy and usually effective diet. Therefore, i decided to weight/strength train every other workout so that i can lose weight and tone. I've noticed other women do this as well. HTH

ETA: reps depend on your fitness level. most fiteness mags say 3 sets of 8-12 reps and that's what i do. i started off with little weights and 8-10 reps then advanced to 12 reps and slightly heavier weights. this has been effective for me.

finewine83, sorry if I wasn't clear enough. I am only concerned about my strength training days. I already do cardio. Some days are for cardio, some days are for strength training. My question is centered around whether or not there are DVDs that are strictly strength training (weights) because currently I have to fast forward through my Firm DVDs to focus on the weight parts or if I should develop my own program for weights to do on my strength training days. Thanks for the rep/set recs, I'll keep those in mind if I develop my own program.

Cheetarah, I only have BSS2 and Transfirmer DVDs. I'll see if I can find a torrent for the ones you mentioned.

[cabellera]

I do the Firm but they incorporate cardio and lots of movement as well so I end up fast forwarding past those parts to stick to the parts dedicated strictly to weights (on my strength days). This isn’t a big problem but I’m wondering if there are any DVDs out there that focus just on weights or if I would be better off developing my own program.

I do know that there is a site out there that shows you the correct form for doing exercises, so maybe I can pull some things from there. Anyone know the site, I can't recall it at the moment.

How many sets and reps are recommended to aid in weight loss?

A good weight-training to weight loss regime to try is "Fitness Made Simple" by John Basedow. http://www.fitnessmadesimple.com/ . Check out the before and afters at the website.

The system is designed for working out at home with weights and minimal equipment. The videos (DVD) look to be reasonably priced as well.

I'm interested in any system that doesn't leave yet another clothes rack for me to disassemble. :lol:

[Beautiful Disaster]

The Get Ripped! series by Jari Love is mostly weight training. One of 2 of her dvd's have cardio but mostly they focus on weight training, with lots and lots of reps.

[Radianthealth]

The Classic Firm tapes are excellent for muscle building :yep: You also have to make sure you are using the right sized weights. I used 8lbs on average and for arm rows I use 15lbs. This really helped sculpt my arms and legs.

[SplashAtl]

The Get Ripped! series by Jari Love is mostly weight training. One of 2 of her dvd's have cardio but mostly they focus on weight training, with lots and lots of reps.

This is a good recommendation.

(To the original poster) My advice would be to create your own routine. You can create a routine using only dumbbells that you can do at home. Weights and reps do depend on the individual but don't be too easy on yourself. Your last set should be hard. Also, in my opinion, lifting heavier weight does not make you bulky. There are many arguments about this but this is just my opinion. Also, the Body for Life, in my opinion, is a good program for beginners and teaches how to create your own routine. You don't have to follow Body for Life but it may be good to check out the website and read about the weight routine.

If you create your own routine try to pick 2 exercises per muscle group and change your exercises so your muscles don't get use to one exercise. I switch every 4 weeks.

Losing weight is very rewarding but when most people add weights they see their body in a completely different way. My friend is going through this now. She had a baby and gained a boat load of weight. She lost the weight by staying on a low carb diet (only good carbs) with no exercise at all. She lost 81 lbs but she now needs to tone up.

Keep up the cardio and weight training. If you get a video that you like let us know about it.

Good luck!

[angellazette]

Thanks for the recs ladies!

I only have 5 lb. dumbbells!

I will probably purchase a few 8 lb this weekend.

Does anyone know the site that shows you the proper form for performing various exercises?

[cabellera]

Thanks for the recs ladies!

I only have 5 lb. dumbbells!

I will probably purchase a few 8 lb this weekend.

Does anyone know the site that shows you the proper form for performing various exercises?

Try "Expert Village"
http://www.expertvillage.com/search.htm?tag=weight%20training