How many pounds do you lift for arm toning - Exercise & Fitness Message Board

daystar91 · 06-19-2005, 02:11 PM

Hi,
If your lifting weights, say for a women what should be your weight limit in lifting...I was just talking to my sister who thinks that 15 pounds should be your limit is that right...I'm asking this because i'm trying to tone my arms not pump up....thanks

Jess75 · 06-19-2005, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daystar91

Hi,
If your lifting weights, say for a women what should be your weight limit in lifting...I was just talking to my sister who thinks that 15 pounds should be your limit is that right...I'm asking this because i'm trying to tone my arms not pump up....thanks

No, there really is no limit to the amount of weight you use because of course the more you lift the stronger you get. Although I've been weight training now for 3 years and haven't got passed 15 pounds... i've been using that amount for the past year. If your just starting out, professionals usually advocate 3, 5, and 8 pound dumbells to start. I know some women who use 20 pound dumbells and i'm sure there's others who lift even a higher amount than that.
Oh, and i forgot to add that 15 pounds is my HEAVIEST..like for the biceps and military presses. And naxis made a very good point, when your muscles feel like they are challenged the most at the certain poundage of weight after the 12-15 rep, then you know that's the correct weight. As you probably know, different weight training exercises requires a different amount of weight. FOr example, tricep kickbacks are usually a light weight, side laterals are light to medium, bicep curls are heavy, etc etc.
Is this your first time weight training?

Naxis · 06-19-2005, 02:22 PM

If your only interest is muscle tone, then use a weight that you can lift 12-15 reps with (the last reps being fairlt hard, but not to failure). This will vary person to person, but keep in mind that it is very difficult for women to get bulky. It almost never happens on accident. Most of the time, heavy weight training results in great muscle tone, not bulk. We simply lack the testosterone to get too muscular without really trying.